*Guest Post by CIA Landlord Insurance

Let’s face it – renting is the new norm. For many people, the housing ladder is out of reach and for others, renting is the perfect low maintenance way of living that means that they’re not scrimping every penny to save for a huge deposit, whilst having the freedom to move around as they please.

A lot of people say that their rental doesn’t feel quite like ‘home’. But just because you don’t own a property, why shouldn’t you be able to come home to a space that truly reflects you? After all, a house is just bricks and mortar. It’s what’s inside that makes it home.

Create a blank canvas

Why is it that so many rental properties have magnolia walls? Or worse, a bright colour or patterned wallpaper that’s just not ‘you’. Ask your landlord if you can paint the walls in the property white. It’s hard for a landlord to object to white as it’s about as neutral as you can get. If anything, you’d be doing them a favour for any future tenants.

White walls can do wonders for a property, encouraging a clean, fresh and bright look that will instantly lift your mood whilst actually making a room feel bigger. Plus, it means that whatever your taste and style, your furniture and decor will tie in with it perfectly. Whether you like dark colours in your interior, bright colours or browns and neutrals, there’s nothing that doesn’t look good against a white wall.

Use lighting to create atmosphere

Lighting is arguably the most important thing in a house. It’s the key to a relaxing atmosphere and a relaxing atmosphere is the key to a cosy and homely vibe. Think about the places in your house that you curl up in after a long day, or where you head to to drink your coffee in the morning. These are the areas to focus on when creating an atmosphere. Always opt for the warm light options when buying bulbs for your lamps and bask in that orangey glow. Invest in a few table and floor lamps if you haven’t already and put these on in the evenings instead of the main lights in your living room, paying most attention to the area around your sofa or armchair where you’ll be spending most of your time.

Of course, nothing says ‘relax’ like lighting a few candles, but make sure you check with your landlord that you’re allowed candles in your rental. They are a fire hazard and can sometimes leave sooty marks on walls. Although your landlord will likely have landlord insurance, they may want to safeguard themselves from any damage. If that’s the case, LED battery alternatives will give off the same cosy vibe.

Cover bare walls

Not many people want to look around their home and be faced with blank walls and empty spaces. It’s not particularly welcoming and cosy. To pull a space together, displaying photos, art and mirrors adds dimension to a room. The only issue is that many landlords don’t allow tenants to put nails and hooks in the walls as it damages paint work and leaves marks.

To fill empty expanses of wall space, experiment with height in your interior. Incorporate a tall floor lamp or large house plant in the room to break up space. Another good hack is to invest in a large stand up shelving unit to put against a wall. Not only does this break up space, but it’ll give you extra storage for your clutter – because clutter certainly isn’t cosy. Keep the shelving unit busy to break up the wall space, with books, bits-and-bobs, baskets and photos of your favourite memories and prints. Just looking at the little things will instantly remind you that you’re ‘home’.

Cushions, rugs and curtains

No one ever felt cosy in a drafty house and when you’re renting, you might be reluctant to crank up the heating so that you can save your pennies. Start with investing in thick, luxurious rugs for under foot. Whatever your home decor style, a deep cosy rug will add an extra element of warmth while adding in a dash of your own personality and style.

The same goes for cushions. The more soft, squishy things on your sofa the better, right? Throw on a few colourful cushions and a few nice throws to snuggle into in the evenings so that you can reach maximum level of comfort when you’re watching your favourite reality TV or true crime documentaries.

Also, the chances are that the curtains in your rental are flimsy and basic. It’s totally fine for you to swap the curtains out as long as you keep the ones that were there originally safe. Go for something with a heavier fabric and thermal lining. Just like a rug, they will actually insulate a room by blocking cold air from leaking through the windows at night – plus they will transform the feel of a room, making it look super warm and cosy.