4 Interior Design Tips For Rental Properties

With it becoming increasingly difficult for people to take that first step onto the property ladder, with many simply being priced out of the market because house prices and real incomes haven’t risen at the same rate since the mid-90s, the reality is that flat sharing and renting is now the norm for younger generations.

The downside of this is that people with a keen eye for interior design find themselves restricted by what their landlords will and won’t allow in terms of decorating the property.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make changes to the look and feel of your home to put your individual stamp on it. It simply means that you might have to be a little bit more imaginative and ingenious in your approach.

But where to begin? Here are a few hints and tips from the Pret A Vivre team to help you get to grips with decorating your rental. 

We also have a full design and consultancy service available if you think you need even more guidance and advice, so make sure you get in touch to see how we can help.

Buy new curtains!

One of the best and most immediate ways to change your living spaces significantly is to switch out the curtains, whether you want to go for a different colour or pattern, change the material from cotton to linen or opt for something more textural like velvet… or if you’d prefer to have blinds instead of drapes. 

There are countless different options available to you, so take your time, do your research – and give us a call if you need any advice! 

And make sure that you double check with your landlord before making this change, as they will likely insist that you replace the original curtains if and when you move out.

Bring in area rugs

While it’s likely that you won’t be able to invest in new carpeting, you can change the look and feel of your flooring at home by bringing in new area rugs to make it all feel more individual. 

You can also use area rugs to zone your different living spaces and hide any ugly or bare bits of carpet – making everything feel a lot more homely and a lot like you.

Develop your lighting scheme

One of the best ways to show your rental off at its best is to light it up appropriately. Make sure you use ambient, task and accent lighting, taking into account the practicalities of each space while ensuring that they look beautiful as well.

Invest in key pieces

Spending your money on beautiful works of art that can travel with you if you decide to move to a new property is wise. Look for statement pieces for each part of the house, so you can feel at home immediately wherever you end up.