Renting can make you feel like your home is simply a temporary place to rest your head – but an interior stylist says there are a few DIY ways to make your new pad feel cosy and homely.
Making a new rental feel like home is all about personalising the space and creating a comfortable environment.
By incorporating elements that reflect your unique style, you can quickly transform your blank space into a cosy pad.
1. Arrange your space
What makes a rental feel like home? The things you fill it with. This is why ensuring your treasured pieces arrive safe, sound and damage-free is important to help your new house feel like home, sooner.
2. Incorporate soft lighting
Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood of a space. Harsh or bright lighting can make a space feel clinical and impersonal. Use lamps to create a warm and inviting ambiance that suits your preferences.
If possible, replace harsh overhead lighting with softer options like floor or table lamps, and consider using warm-toned bulbs to create a cosy ambiance.
3. Add layers
Layering the space with soft textures and textiles can make it feel more comfortable and inviting. Add rugs, cushions and throws to soften the space and enhance the sense of cosiness.
4. Have a signature scent
Scents have a powerful association with memories and can instantly evoke a sense of home.
Utilise candles, diffusers, or air fresheners in your favourite scents to instantly make the rental feel more like your own, even if you haven’t finishing unboxing.
5. Style the kitchen
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it makes sense to give it a personal touch.
Display your favourite cookbooks or crockery, add decorative touches, or invest in portable appliances that align with your cooking preferences – hello, lipstick red KitchenAid.
6. Deck the halls
Most rental agreements allow you to hang pictures or artwork with removable hooks or adhesive strips.
If you don’t want to hang your favourite pieces, prop them against the wall, atop hall tables or dressers and style with decorative vases or textural accents.
7. Organise and declutter
Moving house is a great opportunity to declutter, downsize your possessions and get organised.
When unpacking – resist the urge to just put things anywhere. Keep your rental tidy and organised by finding practical storage solutions.
8. The power of plants
Indoor plants have the power to transform a dull space onto one that is bursting with life. As well as improving air quality, they also bring a touch of nature indoors.
Choose plants that are low-maintenance and suit your lighting conditions. Their presence can create a calming atmosphere and make your rental feel more alive and welcoming.