Dreaming of sprucing up a home, but feel thwarted because you are renting? Well, think again!

Most rental agreements contain provisions preventing tenants from making improvements or alterations to a property without written consent from the landlord. If you drill a hole into a wall without the landlord’s go-ahead, for example, you’ll need to cover the cost of fixing it before you leave.

The good news is that there are some affordable hacks that tenants can make to their rental to provide the home with their unique flourishes.

Let’s assume you live in a fully furnished apartment with some older furniture. In this case, there are attractive covers that fit plenty of three-seater lounge designs. Ideal for renters, these covers protect the landlord’s furniture, and you can take it when you move on. There are also stretchy covers that can be pulled tight and tucked into any sofa shape.

There are home decoration options for every budget. To add to the couch’s more contemporary look, add some throw rugs and cushions that can also brighten up living spaces or bedrooms. Better still, these home improvements won’t cost an arm and leg if you head to the home décor section at Kmart or Target. 

For tenants with limited storage space, companies such as IKEA offer affordable storage solutions. If you have permission to hang things on the walls, try some works of art and other wall hangings.

Add some indoor plants, either natural or fake. It’s great to have plants in your home because they are a good decoration that gives your rental a homely feel. Plants also help in filtering the air that you breathe.

You can opt to do the planting and grow the plant yourself or buy fake plants if you don’t want to worry about watering them. Try one of those little herb gardens in a windowsill planter, which you can buy from retailers such as Bunnings. Whether they are imitation or genuine, plants will freshen up the surroundings. 

Another cost-effective way to customise your rental home’s outdoor space is to cluster your pot plants. Using potted plants creates beautiful colours and textures in a spot where gardening isn’t possible. Just be sure the pots don’t cause any damage to floors, tiles, and other surroundings.

For more cost-effective decorative hacks that won’t trouble your landlord, be sure to talk to a Raine & Horne Property Manager.