According to the Canadian Rental Index, there were over 4 million rental households in the country in 2020. Most major cities in the country have also seen an increase in rental properties over the last year. It likely has to do with the economy, and perhaps the increase in remote working that allows people to live anywhere they want.
Whether you rent an apartment or a house, every landlord has their own set of rules that need to be followed once you sign your lease. Some places allow pets, others don’t. Some rentals offer included utilities while others make you pay for them separately.
There are a few things, however, that are fairly consistent in rental agreements. One of the most common “rules” is that tenants aren’t usually allowed to change much about their living spaces. Some landlords will allow you to paint walls a neutral colour or hang things up. But, major decorating or renovation projects are typically off-limits.
Unfortunately, that can make a rental property feel less like home. So, what can you do to decorate your rented space without losing your deposit? How can you follow the rules while making your living space feel more like you?
Make the Most of Your Space
Renting an apartment for the first time is exciting and liberating. The rental market has seen an uptick in Millennial renters, in particular, who may be heading out on their own for the first time. Millennials are more likely to rent for several reasons:
- Affordability
- Lust for a more dynamic life
- The craving for freedom
- Lack of affordable homes for sale
Millennials are also staying single longer, so they typically don’t need a larger home. But, when you’re in a big city (no matter which generation you belong to), you’ll quickly find out that most apartments are quite small. At least, if you want them to be affordable!
So, if you’re on a budget and you want to make your new rental space look bigger than it is, what can you do? Tearing down a wall obviously isn’t an option. Thankfully, you can decorate without damaging anything and make any room look bigger.
Go with bright paint colours, use floor-to-ceiling curtains, decorate with mirrors, and play around with lighting. Since you’re not able to actually make any room bigger, working with these things will create the illusion of more space, so you won’t feel so cramped.
Decide Where to Splurge
If you can’t make any major updates to your rented space, consider a few things you can splurge on that would make a big design difference.
One of the best “splurge” items is a couch – or a chair. It can be the focal point of the room. When you invest in something high-quality, you can work the rest of your decor around it. Splurging on a multi-functional piece of furniture is another great way to maximize your space.
It can also be a good idea to splurge on a large area rug. Depending on the atmosphere you’re going for, you can choose a rug with warm tones, neutral shades, or vibrant colours and patterns. Rugs can be pricey, but nothing ties a room together as well.
Not sure where to spend and where to save? Think about what’s most important to you. What do you want to be the main focus of each room? It might be a coffee table or special chair, or it could be the addition of long, flowing curtains or a rustic-looking television stand.
No matter what you splurge on, a good rule of thumb is to mirror the rest of your decor after it. It’s easier to do the “little things” than to rethink your decision on the bigger ones.
Decorate Without Damage
If you eventually move out of your rented space, you’re going to want your deposit back. The only way to do that is to leave your space in good shape. Unfortunately, hammering nails into walls or painting with bright colours can make that deposit disappear.
So, if you’re happy with the size and layout of your space, how can you decorate it to fit your personality? Are there things you can do to let your style shine without damaging your deposit chances?
Absolutely.
Some apartments and rental homes don’t allow wallpaper. But, you can make up for that by using wall decals. Nowadays, most wall decals look incredibly realistic. You can find them in just about any shape or pattern, or even a specific scene or picture. They’re inexpensive, easy to put up, and they peel away quickly leaving no damage behind. Using decals is a great way to add some personal touches to your walls.
Speaking of personal touches – if you’re worried about hammering nails into your walls to hang things, consider using tapestries to add warmth without doing damage. You can hang them with damage-free Command strips or even push pins that won’t cause harm to your walls.
Want to update the kitchen or bathroom? Consider peel-and-stick backsplash tiles.
Interested in livening up your space? Bring in some plants in a variety of baskets and pots.
Does the mood of your space feel off? Change the lighting scheme or choose different bulbs for warmer hues.
As you can see, there are plenty of things you can do to make your rented space feel homey without losing your deposit. One of the best things you can do is to be creative. If you truly have a decorative idea in mind, think about how you can make it happen without causing damage. Let these tips get you started, and you can run with them to put together the rented space of your dreams.
