One of the most difficult things to do if you are living in a rental apartment or house is making it your own. Many landlords have strict rules on what you can and cannot do to the property and you don’t want to lose out on that deposit. There are some simple ways to make your rental feel like home without major construction or even a lot of money. With a few style tricks and a little bit of creativity, you will feel at home in no time.

The most inexpensive yet high impact upgrade you can do in a rental (or any home for that matter) is paint. Most apartments have stark white walls and can make the space feel empty and cold. Double check with your landlord before putting any color on the walls but, most properties don’t mind if you paint, as long as you return them to the original color before moving out. If you plan on staying put for a few years, painting the walls is a great option. If you aren’t brave enough to paint all the walls in your space, make a big impact by painting one wall. Find a wall that creates a partition between the living room and kitchen or even the wall behind your bed in the bedroom and paint it a bold color. This will give the space easy excitement.

When living in an apartment, the name of the game has got to be accessories. Small additions to each room will give it that “lived in” homey look. Accessories don’t have to be anything extravagant, just stick to the basics. In the bathroom, hang up a stylish, colorful shower curtain and put down coordinating rugs. If you hate the light fixtures, change them. You can find stylish light fixtures at your local hardware store for not much money and they will make a big impact. Keep the old fixtures stored away in a box just in case your landlord isn’t fond of your update. That way, you can put the old ones back up before you move out. Put a bold and bright comforter on your bed and find an area rug that coordinates for a burst of personality. Lay down area rugs in the living room, put fun pillows on the couch and picture frames on the side tables. Another way to make a big impact in the living room or hallway is with mirrors. Mirrors make the space feel bigger and have a sleek, put together look.

Sometimes, apartments and rental homes have an outdated look and feel and could really use some TLC. If your kitchen cabinets are in serious need of a facelift or the carpet could use replacing, talk to your landlord. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, some of these smaller projects could easily be tackled in a weekend. Some landlords might be willing to reimburse you for the cost of the materials and even give you a break on your rent for the month if you do the upgrade. Most times, landlords will be thankful for the work you put in to the property; it will serve them better in the long run. You have to live in the space so putting time and effort into making it feel like home is well worth it, even when renting. You might be surprised what your landlord offers you if you are willing to do the work.

Author Bio: Keith Smallwood is the president of Creative Energy Exteriors, a leading home improvement company in Richmond offering products and services such as Richmond Vanguard Windows and Richmond Provia Doors. Creative Energy Exteriors can be found online at: CreativeEnergyExteriors.com .

Category: Home Management
Keywords: apartment living, making your apartment feel like home, paint colors