Tips to Decorate a Stylish Rental Home (And Keep Your Security Deposit)

Decorating your rental home may seem like a lost cause. Not knowing how long you will be in your apartment or what your next place will look like could deter you from investing in beautiful home decor, but it shouldn’t. By thinking of your temporary home as a blank canvas waiting to be adorned with decorations and furnishings that can easily transition from one home to the next, you’ll be able to live in comfort and style without forking over your beloved security deposit. With these simple tips from your favorite Sarasota furniture store, you can easily transform your rental home into a place you may never want to leave.

Can’t Paint? No Problem

One of the most common challenges renters face is not being able to paint the walls of their apartment. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t fret. You don’t have to be condemned to living in a boring white space indefinitely. Rather than relying solely on wall color to bring life to a room, consider letting your personality shine by painting your furniture instead. A bright armoire, desk, or coffee table can add an unexpected pop to an otherwise dull space. If you’re committed to spicing up the walls, however, removable wallpaper is a great option. Not only can you choose from an array of bold patterns and colors to liven up your space, but best of all you won’t have to repaint them when it’s time to move out.

Invest in Quality Furniture

Since you presumably won’t be living in your rental home forever, you may be tempted to fill it with temporary items. Fight the urge to buy inexpensive pieces that are sure to make your home uninviting and cheap. Instead, mix and match bargain items with quality furnishings that you can utilize even after you move to a permanent location. If you’re on a budget, be sure to check out thrift stores or online resale shops to find some amazing deals on impressive items. Keep in mind that great interior design doesn’t have to come to fruition overnight. There’s nothing wrong with taking your time to find the perfect home accessories to make your place your own.

Dress up Windows

The right window treatments can instantly transform even the smallest of spaces. Unfortunately, apartments often have windows treatments that consist of drab white blinds or dated curtains. To remedy this dilemma, cover any bland blinds with romantic drapes or stylish curtain panels. If the windows are bare, Roman shades or wooden blinds are sure to give your home a modern upgrade.

Keep the Floor Interesting

Photo of a modern-looking master bedroom.

Most rental homes boast cheap wall-to-wall carpet or neutral tile that is underwhelming at best and hideous at worst. To break up the monotony of boring flooring, make the most of area rugs. From the kitchen and bathrooms to the living room and bedrooms, area rugs are not only visually intriguing, but they’re also practical. While they’re easy to maintain and feel much better under your toes than cold tile might, the best part of bringing a few gorgeous rugs to your home is that when it’s time to move all you have to do is roll them up.

Update Light Fixtures

Light fixtures in apartments tend to leave much to be desired. Fortunately, improving the lighting in your house is an easy fix. Switch out the shades on your hanging light fixtures or swap out a dated chandelier for a modern one to give your apartment an instant facelift. If changing out overhead lighting proves to be a bit more complicated or expensive than you expected, stick to lamps instead. A fun table lamp in the kitchen or unexpected floor lamp in the dining room will provide ambiance, but you’ll be able to take them with you when you move.

Freshen up With Flowers

There’s no question that plants are a good investment for any home. Affordable, beautiful, and welcoming, a little greenery can go a long way in spaces that are tiny or uninspiring. If the responsibility of keeping potted plants alive makes you anxious, look for some artificial ones to incorporate instead. Whether you choose an assortment of dainty succulents, a charming eucalyptus plant, or a funky paradise palm tree, indoor plants are guaranteed to brighten up your apartment while always looking fabulous and fresh.

Choose Versatile Pieces

Since you know your apartment will likely not be your “forever home”, it’s wise to incorporate versatile pieces. After all, filling your next home with all new furniture could be time-consuming and expensive. To avoid an unfortunate decorating situation down the road, look for pieces that are multi-functional when furniture shopping. Coffee tables and ottomans that can be used for storage, dining room tables with removable leaves, and sleeper sofas are all items that could easily be used in a small apartment one day and a spacious house the next. What’s the bottom line? Before you purchase new furniture, think about the likelihood of you utilizing it in the future.

Living in a rental home for a few months or a few years is no reason to not make your place feel like your own. Home-owners have to worry about what happens when their dishwasher breaks or budgeting for landscaping costs. Instead, renters have the luxury of being able to focus on more enjoyable tasks, like decorating. Why not make the most of apartment living by pairing bargain deals with quality pieces, choosing items that are multi-functional, and thinking outside the box.

Find More Tips to Decorate a Stylish Rental Home

The friendly team at Matter Brothers Furniture is here to help you every step of the way on your apartment decorating journey. Stop by one of our five convenient locations or give us a call today. We can’t wait to surprise you with our exceptional customer service and gorgeous home furnishings.