We are geeked to announce we are going to start answering questions from all of you! This week’s question came in from several different readers. How do I make my rental feel like home? Do you have tips for renters with design? How do I update my apartment when I don’t own it? What are in-expensive ways to decorate an apartment I rent?

How to make a rental feel like home

The first 10 years of our relationship we lived in rental condos and apartments throughout different neighborhoods in Chicago. We moved 8 times and had the chance to transform each space to feel like home. Today we are sharing 10 ways to make a rental feel like home.

Paint

This is the easiest and relatively inexpensive way to make a major impact on any space. Every rental we lived in allowed us to paint. Some rentals required us to paint it back to the original color prior to moving out, however, most didn’t and almost all loved our paint selections. Not sure how to go about painting, don’t sweat it. We’ve got our full breakdown on how to pick paint and the steps to painting for you!

Wall Art

One of the very first things we did with every move was put art up right away. There is something about having wall art on display to make your home feel cozy. If you’re looking for some art options, check out a few of our favorites: Juniper Print Shop, Anthropologie, Minted, Etsy.

Lighting

Having the right lighting is key to making a space feel like home. Light fixtures are pretty easy to swap out. The only downfall in a rental is you’ve got to store the original one to put it back up prior to moving out. If switching light fixtures just isn’t in the cards for you, swap out light bulbs to make sure you’ve got the right kelvins (light temperature) for your space. If you’re not sure what kelvins are, here’s a quick guide. Use 3000k for any light in the ceiling and 2700k for table lamps.

Dimmer Switches

Having dimmable lights is a complete game changer. If your unit doesn’t have some we highly recommend either switching them out yourself or asking your landlord if they would. It’s the perfect way to set the vibe in a space.

Textiles

Pillows and throws are the perfect addition to make home feel like you for a ridiculously reasonable cost. Hello, target pillow section for the come up on this one! Etsy is another great place for unique pillow covers!

Shelving

Adding shelving is another great way to add character to a rental. Shelves provide you with additional storage options and a place to display all the things in your life you love. Looking for super easy shelving to install, check these ones!

Rugs

Whether you’ve got carpet, tile or wood flooring rugs are always a good idea! They immediately add warmth to any space. A few go to places for affordable rugs are: Rugs USA, Overstock, Wayfair, All Modern, Home Depot, Birch Lane.

Bedding

Make your bedroom a real retreat. Invest in bedding you love! We both believe this is so important to truly making a home feel like you. It might even make you want to make your bed everyday too! West Elm continues to be a favorite for bedding with Target coming in at a close second!

Organization

Invest in true organization for your rental. Each bathroom vanity is going to be unique to the space, and no closet or kitchen space is going to be the exact same. You want to make sure you can get the fullest potential out of the space while you’re there. Nobody likes hunting for things they could easily find.

Bathroom Accessories

Rental bathrooms can be tricky as you can’t go and switch out tile or paint it either. But a few accessories can go a long way.

Furniture

Invest in pieces you love. If your budget doesn’t go far, Facebook marketplace has some killer deals if you keep your eyes peeled. Target, Ikea, Home Goods and Wayfair are all solid options for solid pieces that can fit into most budgets!

Removable Wallpaper

Want to make a bold statement? Wallpaper it! There are so many solid removable wallpaper options out there now and it’s a great way to make a major impact on any rental space. While the price tag can be a little hefty it’s an investment that could completely transform your home to feel just like you! Here’s a few go to favorites! Etsy, Wayfair, Home Depot, Removable Wallpaper.

So there you have it, our 12 ways to make a rental feel like home.

-much love