If you’re renting your home, you’ve got to try and decorate without jeopardizing your security deposit. How can you do this? Here are some great ideas.
Renting a home or apartment can feel restrictive. You’re an adult and want to decorate however you want, but you’re living in a place that belongs to someone else. This means you’ve got to stay within their limitations or forfeit your security deposit. Thankfully, you can decorate and keep your security deposit. By using some of these tips, you’ll have a space that feels like your own.
Note: Before making any major changes, check with your landlord. Sometimes, they will allow you to make permanent changes.
Ensure your furniture fits
Your new place isn’t likely the same size as your last home. This means your oversized couch might be too big, or a wingback chair might be too small. You want your furniture to reflect your personality in your new space, and that can mean buying new pieces that fit your space. You can do this and save money by checking out online yard sale sites, going to thrift stores, and driving around to find some streetside finds.
Upgrade the fixtures
If you want to decorate your home and protect your security deposit, you have to be willing to undo what you’ve done. This means you can change out light fixtures and your shower head as long as you keep the original items and put them back when you’re done. Another way to add a little personality without too much work is by replacing the switch covers and outlet covers in your home. These little changes can make a huge difference and are easily reversible.
Paint and wallpaper?
Can you add wallpaper or paint your new place? This is one of those items which you might want to ask the landlord. Some will allow you to paint but want input on the color so you won’t have to repaint before you leave. Of course, if you aren’t allowed to paint or put up permanent wallpaper, you can use peel-and-stick wallpaper to add accents to your home. This will give you the added personality desired but won’t damage the walls when you remove the wallpaper.
Alternatives to holes
Some rental properties don’t allow drilling holes in the walls to hang pictures or shelves. Thankfully, you can still decorate the walls without losing your security deposit by using no-drill hooks, tape, or glue to hang pictures and shelves on the way. These no-drill options leave no residue when removed, which makes it really easy to hang stuff on the wall without damaging the paint. This means you can make your space unique and still follow the rules.
Add tile to your home
Many rentals don’t have backsplashes around the stove and sink or in the bathroom. You can add a bit of personality and protect the walls in these areas by using peel-and-stick tiles as the backsplashes. These tiles come in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and textures. They are a great way to add a little personality to some of the most well-used rooms in your home. If you’re really ambitious, you can change the hard flooring look with these tiles, but that might be going a little too far.
Wireless lighting can be great
If your rental property lacks the lighting you want, it’s easy to find some wireless solutions and add them to your room. You can add wireless chandeliers and sconces to make these small changes that truly impact your space. These lights often use magnets to hang and have battery-operated LED lights that won’t require running any wires. You might need to drill a hole for ceiling lights, but it won’t be for wires, which means you can easily fill the hole when it’s time to leave, making this a great way to decorate and protect your security deposit.
Add the stained glass look
Your home might have a transom above the door or a full glass door if you want to add a special feature to. You can buy a peel-and-stick stained glass window covering that can give you the colorful and impressive look that you want to enjoy. This allows you to turn a full glass door into a wonderful light-changing window that brings the bright colors into your home.
When you rent a home, you need to keep it up and follow the rules of your landlord, but you can still decorate the space while protecting your security deposit. All it takes is a little creativity and the right products.
