You have finally unpacked that last box. Clothes are now hanging in the closet, and towels on the bathroom towel rack. Furniture is finally arranged, bed is made. Now it is time to have fun, personalize and make your new digs YOURS. Just because you are renting doesn't mean you can't decorate as if it were your own. It takes a little thinking outside the box and a bit of flexibility in how to get there, but you can take your new place beyond bland neutrals and really make it distinctive when you personalize your rental. Here are some tips!

  • Changing the light fixtures is usually one of the last things renters tend to change but doing so can really update older rentals. Considering how much time you spend in your home in the evenings; your light source is one of the top decorating options that is function as well as form. You can always take them with you when you move and just return the original fixtures.
  • Throw rugs. Don’t let that worn out wood floor or tired beige carpet get you down. Throw rugs will not only give your place some personality, but help you to define areas visually.
  • Window treatments. Your window coverings are a great way to add texture and dimension to your place and even change up depending on the season. Heavier options for the fall and winter as well as creative DIY curtain rods are fun ways to make your rooms stand out.
  • Wall art. Your walls are your canvas and a great way to express yourself and add some flair to your home. Don’t let the inevitable need to patch when you move out stop you from hanging that cool mirror you snagged at a vintage sale or your favorite collection of framed family pictures. A good patch job is easy to do and hard to tell anything was there.
  • If you are lucky enough to have a yard or even just a bit of a patio, designing your outside spaces goes a long way in making this your home. Container gardening can transform your entry way, window sill or patio and provide valuable “therapy” in the process.

You see, the sky is the limit on the options available to you as renters. Take some risks, and be willing to restore things once you move out, but the work you put into it will repay you ten-fold as you express yourself and make your rental your home.

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