Latest news with #rentaldecor
National Post
19-06-2025
- General
- National Post
Weekend decorator: How to make a rental unit feel more like home
Article content Dear Virginie, Article content I rent a lovely house but hate the feeling that it isn't 'ours,' given the cabinets, flooring, fixtures and blinds all came with the place. What changes can I make to freshen it up and make it feel more custom for our family without doing anything to irritate our landlords? Article content Article content Paint is the obvious first choice. I wouldn't tackle anything like trim or doors — it's too much work — but a quick coat on a wall can go a long way towards changing the look of a room, or even the whole house. Generally, landlords don't love really dark walls, so if that's what you want, be prepared to spend a lot of time repainting when you leave. (You'll often be required to return the walls to their original colour; and some leases will specify that you need to ask the landlord for clearance before you paint.) And don't paint anything that is wood without asking first – my guess is you'll get a hard no to that. Ditto the ceilings, unless you're willing to paint them basic white again before you leave. Article content Article content Article content You may be surprised to learn that, once the painting's done, you can actually change hanging light fixtures. Remember to photograph the old one and keep it so you can replace it before you move out. Again, check with the landlord to make sure they don't want you to hire a licensed electrician to make the switch, but replacing chandeliers and pendants with new cheap and cheerful ones (or maybe not even cheap, since you can take them with you) will go a long way towards adding your own touch to your home. Article content Curtains would be my next piece of advice. If your place already has curtain rods, you're in luck. You just need to find some ready-made panels that match your style and replace whatever was there when you moved in. If not, invest in some nice curtain rods and curtains to frame your windows. Choose heavy fabrics like lined linen panels for a custom look, and make sure they hang to the floor. It's better to buy longer ones and have them altered at the dry cleaners — and ask them to hem them without cutting off the length, in case you have higher ceilings in your next place. A living room, dining room and bedroom will look amazing with floor-to-ceiling drapes. If you're a modernist, choose plain fabrics, and if you're a maximalist, go wild with pattern. You can easily remove the rods and patch, sand and paint any holes when you leave. Article content Article content Article content The kitchen and bathroom are harder to make your own. In the bathroom, you can always replace a shower curtain. If you can find handles and knobs that line up with the existing holes in your cabinetry, you can change those, too. Make sure to photograph and keep the old ones to replace them when you leave. There isn't much you can do though if you hate the cupboards and counters in your kitchen and bathroom. If they are badly dated or damaged, you may be able to strike a deal with the landlord to have them painted or changed, or split the cost of updating them, but that is money you won't get back. If you're really feeling ambitious, you could apply peel and stick wallpaper over the cabinets, but make sure to try it out in a small area before committing to the whole project. Article content Article content Another fun use for peel-and-stick wallpaper in a rental is to use it to create a feature wall. Again, try it out in an inconspicuous spot to make sure you can safely remove it without damaging the existing wall. Peel-and-stick works best on smooth, somewhat glossy paint. It definitely will not work on stucco walls, textured walls or walls that already have wallpaper on them.
The Guardian
22-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
From stick-on tiles to bookshelves: nine easy ways to update your rental home on a budget
Renting often means living with someone else's design choices, from magnolia walls and tired carpets to ugly furniture. And the worst part is, you usually can't do much about it. While social media is full of dreamy interiors and home renovation projects, most renters don't have the option to knock down walls, retile a bathroom, or even paint without permission. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. As someone who's rented a string of different flats – furnished, unfurnished, shoebox-sized, and occasionally some with questionable landlord DIY – I've learned to get creative. Making a place feel like home when you can't even hang up artwork makes those smaller, temporary changes even more important. Whether you're in a flatshare where you can't touch the walls or if you're on a budget generally and want a quick update, these upgrades are practical, affordable and, crucially, removable. From stick-on tiles to smart storage swaps, here's how to give your space a glow-up, without losing your deposit. Changing the cupboard or drawer handles is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add personality to a rented home. Kitchen cupboards, wardrobes, bedside tables, bathroom cabinets and even a basic chest of drawers can be upgraded this way. It's reversible and easy; just be sure to store the original handles somewhere safe for when you move out. Even better, you can take them with you with each move. Boone marble handle £18 each at Anthropologie Brass cup handle £9.50 each at Bowley & Jackson £12.50 each at Cox & Cox Ceramic flower knobs £4.99 a pair at Zara Home Nicola Spring floral ceramic cabinet knobs £13.99 for six at B&Q If your kitchen splashback or bathroom tiles have seen better days, peel-and-stick tiles are a quick, affordable way to freshen things up. There's no grout, no mess and, crucially, little risk of damage. They're easy to apply (just make sure the surface is clean and dry) and just as easy to remove when it's time to move out. For the bathroom, make sure you pick waterproof ones. Subway self-adhesive splashback tiles £32 for 10 at Dunelm Subway peel-and-stick backsplash tiles £13.99 for four at World of Wallpaper Self-adhesive 3D wall tile stickers £22 for 10 at B&Q Black and white sticky-back vinyl floor tiles £11.99 for 10 at B&Q£14.99 for 10 at Amazon You could also fit a splashback panel with double-sided tape. You can often get these cut to size, though that will probably bump up the price. These Ikea designs – with finishes looking like everything from marble and terrazzo to concrete and copper – will fit most standard kitchens, and your landlord will be none the wiser. Lysekil wall panel £40 for 0.65m² at Ikea No one wants to face a deposit deduction over a tiny drilled hole. Removable adhesive hooks make it easy to add personality without too much damage, as long as you're OK with fixing up any paint damage, and are careful about where and how you apply (and remove) them. Command adhesive strips are great for hanging pictures and prints, as well as heavier-duty items such as jackets and bags. I also stuck a Command hook to the side of my wardrobe so I can hang clothes for steaming. Command picture hanging strips £12 for 12 large strips at Argos£12.99 for 16 assorted strips at Amazon Jordborr snowflake self-adhesive hooks £3 for three at Ikea Command removable sticky nail £4 each at John Lewis£4 each at Dunelm Command brushed nickel hooks £14.32 for three at Amazon If your light fittings are less than optimal, you can add cordless lights. Battery-operated sconces are a great alternative for renters hoping to add some warmer lighting without the need for wiring. Most wireless wall lights say they require wall screwing, but Command strips work just as well and avoid holes. Mushroom rechargeable wall light £48 at John Lewis Primrose rechargeable wall light £135 at Pooky Most shelving units require wall fittings, but freestanding bookshelves are a great way to dress up extra storage space. If space allows, you could buy a couple and create a bookshelf accent wall. You don't have to limit yourself to books, or fill every centimetre either. If you plan to fill these with lots of heavy belongings, you may need to fix them to the wall too, so keep this in mind. Thura steel bookcase £199.95 at Sklum Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Brunel red edition lean-to wide shelves £479 at Heal's Fulton ladder bookcase £69.30 at Dunelm Soft furnishings can completely change the mood of a room. A well-placed rug can cover up tired carpet or cold flooring, and swapping dated curtains can transform a space. Don't be afraid of patterns if the rest of the room is neutral. Patchwork bedspread £165 at Oliver Bonas Woven chevron throw £29.50 at Oliver Bonas Joan tufted cushion cover £10.99 at La Redoute John Lewis x Sanderson Pinetum Stripe bolster cushion £55 at John Lewis Scandi modern high-pile checkered rug £89.25 at H&M Whether your kitchen counters have seen better days or you want to spruce up some unsightly cupboard doors, sticky-back plastic is easy to apply and remove. Brands such as D-C-Fix (available from B&Q) offer a wide range of patterns, from wood-effect to marble. D-C-Fix wood-effect self-adhesive film £8 for 2m at B&Q£7.99 for 2m at Amazon Fablon matt sticky-back plastic £6 for 2m at Dunelm Terrazzo-effect vinyl furniture wrap From £14.99 for 65cm2 at Restowrap D-C-Fix pink vinyl self-adhesive film £6 for 2m at B&Q If you want to add some personality to your walls, peel-and-stick wallpaper could be the solution. From botanical and geometric prints to solid colours, there is a huge range of designs from which to choose. Just bear in mind that there is a chance of damaging the paint or any loose plaster on removal, as with the Command strips above. Solid colour peel-and-stick wallpaper From £20 at Peel & Paper One o'clocks floral peel-and-stick wallpaper £32 for 2.85m2 at B&Q Delhoved forest green peel-and-stick wallpaper £42.72 for 1m² at Hovia Surprisingly realistic, and perfect for adding privacy to lower windows or internal doors, this peelable stained glass paint adds a decorative touch. Glass paint set £38.24 for six bottles at Amazon Complete the look with self-adhesive lead. Faux lead lines strip £4.49 a 66m at Amazon Self-adhesive lead strip From £14.16 for 10m at Fred Aldous
