Quick Tips
Personalizing Your Rented Home or Apartment

You don't have to own a property for it to feel like a home

If you're renting a house or apartment, adding one-of-a-kind touches that make the space more personal will create a cozier atmosphere. A professional brokerage like Tiger Lily Realty can help you find a fitting house or apartment to nest in. Once you have a space, take the below steps to make it your own. These landlord-approved changes are temporary and can be undone at any time.

Hang up personal photos or DIY artwork

Infuse your personality into your space by hanging pictures of friends and family. Instead of using nails (which leave holes behind) or adhesives (which leave behind residue), use Command Strips to hang items that will beautify your abode while preserving the walls.

Use creative area rugs to create a cozy vibe

Area rugs are another way to add personality and artistic flair to your rental space without marring it. In fact, a rug can even help preserve the floors, preventing stains and scratches. Rugs are great for kids' play areas or for creating a cozy vibe in rooms where you entertain. The Spruce provides a list of dos and don'ts for making area rugs work in your home. For example, when putting rugs under furniture, make sure they extend out beyond the furniture.

Set up a work-from-home space designed to

boost productivity

If you work from home, it's important to have a designated office where you can concentrate on your job. Having a separate area for professional purposes can also make it easier to establish a daily routine. According to Zenbusiness, focus on setting up a workspace that will maximize productivity. For example, ergonomic office furniture can help avoid distracting aches and pains. Plus, you can take the furniture with you when you move out, making it a worthy investment.

Add plants to give the place a more

home-like feeling

If your rental isn't pet-friendly, create a family of house plants instead! Plants have many benefits, as they can improve air quality, boost your mood, and alleviate stress. Opt for low-maintenance plants that don't require a lot of upkeep like philodendron, snake plants, or parlor palms. Smaller plants are ideal, as you can move them easily between rooms (and to a new apartment or house down the line).

Upgrade doorknobs, cabinet handles, and light fixtures according to your taste

Door knobs, cabinet handles, and light fixtures are all small but meaningful parts of your home's interior. Look for fun, creative styles online to upgrade your space. Just make sure to hang on to the existing knobs, handles, and light fixtures. Your landlord will want to have the original items in place when you move out. That said, these goods are fast and easy to swap out yourself. Plus, they're small, so you can store the extras easily in a closet.

Just because you're renting a place doesn't mean it shouldn't feel like home. Use the tips above to personalize your house or apartment and make it truly feel like yours.

For more tips on making a rental property feel like home—and for a look at current rental listings in Ohio—check out the Tiger Lily Realty website.

Natalie Jones enjoys writing about home buying and hopes to inspire homeowners of all stages to enjoy the perks of homeownership. When she isn’t writing about the homebuying process, Natalie spends time with her husband working on DIY projects for their home.