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Creative Ideas to Decorate and Add Color to Your Rental Home

You’re not one to follow the crowd; instead, you march to the beat of your drum. You are brimming with vitality and ideas to decorate your space. Whether you’ve had a million experiences or are just getting started, your house should be a reflection of your dazzling, fabulous self. Unfortunately, only one thing may stand in the way of displaying your personality,  a rental agreement that imposes physical constraints on a home devoid of individuality.  This article will give you some fantastic ideas to decorate and add a pop of color to your rental home.

Understand Your Rental Agreement Before You Decorate

Living in a rented home might limit your decorating options. Many tenants repress their style and settle for the basics with inflexible fixtures and cabinetry and plain paint colors in place of risking a security deposit loss. However, this doesn’t have to stop you from adding your special touch. You can have a bright and attractive house without losing your deposit or irritating your landlord by being creative with your furniture and decorations and understanding the rental agreement rules. 

Always Obtain Written Authorization From Your Landlord

With your commitments written down, the lord of your manor has the final decision on any changes you may want to make.  When you sign a lease, be sure to check with the landlord or property agent to get an idea of what you can and cannot do in your rental.  As long as you stay within the guidelines provided to you or get written approval for updates, you’ll be able to decorate with peace of mind and, perhaps, a wholly refunded deposit.

rental agreement rules

Foot the Bill for Approved Upgrades

You may not like the kitchen or bathroom fixtures; however, if you have approval in writing and intend to replace them, don’t ask the landlord to pay for them. Avoid any miscommunication related to home improvements and refunds for improvements before you sign a lease. 

Keep reading for a few innovative ideas to add your unique flair to your rental.

Liven Up Your Space with Vibrant Furnishings 

There are a ton of design ideas to decorate your home.  One of our favorite ideas to decorate is to bring in eye-catching furnishings and décor to add visual appeal and capture attention. 

  • Look for things in your favorite hue or select a motif, such as bright yellow and coral. Also, be sure to choose a couch or chair in a bold color like emerald or sapphire. Vibrantly painted wood chairs may liven up your dining room. 
  • If you are on a budget, consider making a few DIY pieces of furniture. Alternatively, go on the hunt for furniture with good bones from a thrift store or garage sale and give it a facelift. For smaller décor pieces, use spray paint, and for more oversized items such as a dresser or end table, use latex or chalk paint.
ideas to decorate
  • Stenciled embellishments and paint-dipped legs provide a touch of whimsy. Add decorative shelf paper to shelves, and temporarily swap out dull kitchen and bathroom handles and knobs with colorful ones.

If you are buying secondhand furniture that is upholstered, we suggest having a professional do the cleaning. For example, that vintage sofa might be beautiful; however, it could also be full of unwanted critters such as bed bugs hatching just beneath the surface.

Do not Forget to Accessorize

Lighting, curtains, carpets, plants, and gleaming new hardware can freshen up even the most unassuming space and inject it with your individuality. It’s simple to replace a mass-produced light with one that twinkles a little brighter or to remove or cover up metal blinds with enticing fabrics or curtains. The best part is that they can be removed and taken with you when you leave.

If you change fixtures, be sure to keep the original rental fixtures in a labeled box so you can simply change them out before leaving.

updating light fixtures decoration ideas

Skip the Wallpaper

Wallpaper may be popular, but it can be a pain to remove and is not something you or your landlord will want to deal with if you ever decide to move. There are, however, options that make a daring, innovative statement. Look for decals, paint stencils, or creative peel-away wallpaper that can be applied and removed like a sticker. 

Make Use of the Color Wheel

Many people paint the walls as a quick and easy method to add color to a room. However, landlords and property managers frequently prohibit changing the color of a rental’s interior paint.

Think outside the paintbrush, and you’ll find a plethora of methods to spice up your walls without changing the painting. The secret to success is to think outside the box.

Find large-scale art pieces that reflect your personality and have bright hues. Then, assemble a gallery wall by collecting pictures in ombre frames of your chosen color (rather than standard black or white).  If you have an artistic side, paint a mural on a massive canvas and hang it on the wall.

decorating your rental home

Painting is a fantastic way to add your personality to your rental, as long as you have approval from your landlord. Whether you choose one color for an accent wall or paint the whole house, nothing says “you” like being surrounded by your favorite colors. So go wild with the paint, and not only on the walls. To add pops of color, transform the patina of your picture frames, furniture, and salvaged treasures.

painting your rental home

Tones That are Bold and Soft

Textiles in various hues will be your greatest friend when it comes to sprucing a sterile space. Begin with a warm rug in a rich jewel tone or a fashionable overdyed color. Then, avoid conventional white and beige curtains in favor of vibrant color or a dynamic design.

When it comes to bedding, we say skip the conventional white duvet covers and choose a print or color that will transform your bedroom into an energetic or restful refuge. If you want to feel peaceful, go for a bed set with cool blue, lavender, or sage. Want to make it more upbeat? Coral, tangerine, and sunflower are examples of poppy hues.

dynamic home design

Fun throw pillows and blankets can liven up your bed, couch, and lounge chairs, among other places. Choose beautiful hand towels and bathmats to continue the color theme in the bathroom and kitchen.

A Final Word

We hope you enjoyed our article on creative ideas to decorate your rental home!  When the time comes and you are ready to purchase your own home, make sure you leave your rental in the same condition or better than you found it. Whether you are a property owner needing help with property management or a potential tenant looking for a great property to rent, Real Property Management Consultants is here to help. We provide top-rated services in Jackson County, Cass County, Clay County, and Johnson County, Kansas.  For more information, contact Real Property Management Consultants today!  

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