When you buy a new home, you have a lot of flexibility in terms of how you decorate it. You can paint the walls any colour you like, drill holes into the wall, change the fixtures, and even make modifications to the physical structure of your home.

If you’re renting a property, however, you may not have the flexibility to do these things. But that doesn’t mean you can’t transform the space into a cosy, beautiful home that reflects your taste and personality!

There are plenty of creative ways through which you can decorate your rental home without causing any damage to the property and losing your deposit.

Here are 7 tips to decorate your rental home:

1. Invest in statement furniture pieces

Sure, accent walls with bold, vibrant colours can be very stylish, but unless your rental property comes with such accent walls, this might not be an option.

Instead, why not invest in stylish statement furniture pieces to give your living space that “wow” factor?

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

◉  Instead of just sticking to a matching sofa set, add a velvet armchair in a contrasting colour to give character to your living room.

◉  Go for an interesting marble or granite coffee table.

◉  Get a dining table with a mix of chairs and a bench for a fun, rustic vibe.

◉  Look for a bedframe with a dramatic headboard to jazz up your master bedroom.

2. Use adhesive tile stickers

You may not be able to change the wall tiles in your kitchen or bathroom, but there is a way to spruce them up to your liking. Adhesive tile stickers allow you to change the appearance of your tiles without damaging the original tiles underneath.

They can be easily applied onto tiles to give your space a different look. You can buy these stickers online on Shopee or Lazada, and choose between different styles including Moroccan, European and retro.

3. Display artwork

The best way to make your space more personal and interesting is to display your favourite artwork. Make use of existing nails to hang up framed pictures.

If there are no existing nails, ask your landlord if you can put a few nails in the wall. Some landlords are alright with this, as long as you patch the holes before you leave.

However, if your landlord doesn’t allow this, that’s okay! There are other ways to display artwork in your home. You can use standing frames and place them around the house, for e.g. on your coffee table or bookshelf. Alternatively, you can also place framed artwork on a side table and lean it against the wall.

4. Play around with the lighting

Lighting can totally make or break the vibe of a room! If the existing lighting in your rental home is too bright for your liking, consider switching out the light bulbs for something warmer and less harsh. You could also use candles to create a warm, inviting glow in your hall and bedroom.

Light fixtures can be a great addition to your home décor. You may not be able to change the light fixtures attached to the walls and ceilings, but you can get funky floor lamps to add a little pizzazz to your space. Create an intimate, cosy nook with a comfortable armchair and a unique floor lamp as a space where you can relax and unwind after a long day.

5. Get some indoor plants

There’s nothing better than having a touch of nature right inside your home! Indoor plants can give your space a wonderfully homey and relaxing feel. Just get some potted plants, dot them around your space, and let them work their magic! You can also use macrame plant hangers to add a Bohemian touch to your home.

Bird of paradise and monstera plants are all the rage right now. If you’re worried about plant care, you can consider low maintenance plants such as ZZ plants, snake plants and succulents instead.

6. Use home accessories

While wall colour and light fixtures can indeed transform a room, so can humble home accessories such as cushions, curtains, area rugs, and table runners. These items can add colour and personality to your space, and they’re pretty budget-friendly too!

A simple way to elevate a space with plain, white walls is to add some colour through curtains and cushion covers. You can get readymade curtains from supermarkets or get custom-made ones stitched at an affordable price at stores such as Nagoya.

Even simple accessories can transform your space. For instance, glass jars filled with spices, lentils and pasta arranged on your kitchen counter can enhance your kitchen aesthetic. IKEA, Daiso and Kaison are great places to shop for small home accessories that make a big difference.

7. Create your own partitions without walls

If your rental home has an open floor plan, you may want to create partitions to clearly divide the space, especially for studio units. You may not be able to put up a wall, but you can create dividers using wooden folding screens or a large bookshelf.

In addition to acting as dividers, these pieces also add to the overall décor of your home. You can get wooden folding screens with intricate carvings or a floral motif that complements the room. If you’re using a large bookshelf, you can fill it with your favourite books, picture frames, and interesting décor items from your travels.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to decorate your rental home without losing your deposit. So get creative and create a space that’s truly your own!

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