How to make your rental feel like home

Moving to a new rental accommodation? Here’s some tips to make it feel more like home. From decorating tips to making full use of your new space, we’ve got you covered.  

First things first, do an assessment on how you can make your new home feel as comfortable as possible even before you move in. This way, you can start planning and stocking up on items that will help you settle and enjoy spending in your new place. Let's start with the décor.

Feel more at ease in your home by brightening up your plain walls with artwork you love. Being surrounded by prints, wallpapers, and designs you enjoy can make your rental feel more familiar and homey. Not only that, but finding and collaging the artwork you want to hang on your walls makes for a fun DIY activity when you’re first moving in.

You can also hang up photos and polaroids of your family and friends, so you have a constant reminder of the people who make you feel at home. However, one thing to be mindful of when decorating your walls in your rental is to not damage the property with holes, markings or cracks. Be careful when using hooks with command strips and sticking artwork to your walls and always check with your body corporate before making any major changes

Fresh plants and flowers bring life to your home and can have great, positive impacts on your cognitive health while relaxing your mind. Not only can they be used for decorative purposes, but they’re also something for you to take care of. This means you can look forward to spending time at home and taking good care of your plants and flowers.

There are a few plants that are especially good for keeping at home, especially if you’re looking for a few low-maintenance options that can still make your home feel lively. Peace lilies, native monstera, umbrella trees, and lavender are all great plants you can easily care for at home.

Looking to fill up some empty space in your new home? You can never go wrong with stand-alone storage cabinets and rugs for your floor. You can find flatback cube units for cheap and use them to fit bins for an easy storage solution. You don’t have to mount them to any wall either, making them a great damage-free option for rentals. 

Rugs are another decorating hack to fill up space in your home. You can find rugs in all sorts of shapes and measurements, so you never have to worry about sizing. They can also keep your rental’s floor protected from everyday wear and tear, as well as bring a bit of texture to your home décor.

Warm-toned lighting can often make a space feel cozier and comfier. Yellow-toned lighting is known to make your space feel more relaxing and inviting, while white-toned lighting can be more stimulating. Depending on your needs, you can hopefully find a lighting style that is fit for your home. You can even alternate between the two tones to benefit from their effects in different areas of your home. Some smart light devices such as light bulbs and light strips allow you to change their colour from a few taps on your phone.

Investing in furniture that is not only high quality but well-designed can make you feel more attached to your rental, hence also making it feel more like home. Comfortable sofas and dining sets are not only perfect for relaxing, but also mean you can invite family and friends over regularly to spend time in your home. Finding furniture that you like is also a great opportunity for you to decorate your rental to your taste and make it feel as homey as possible. Rest assured that you don’t have to buy your furniture brand new, recycling furniture is all the rage and you’re sure to find second-hand pieces you like for a fraction of the price.

You can also decorate your new home with trinkets you treasure. If you’re an international student it can be especially important to have reminders of home as part of your new rental accommodation. If you’ve moved to Australia from somewhere far away, bringing some treasured items from home with you can make your new rental feel much more secure and homely. From display items, to second-hand toys, to daily-use utensils, there are many things you can bring with you into your new home to make it more comfortable. 

Your home is often the space where you’re most likely to indulge in your hobbies. Whether it’s reading, knitting, gaming, or simply watching television, your rental can feel more comfortable once you’ve created a space where you can enjoy your hobbies. Even furniture pieces such as display cabinets and bookshelves can help you make your rental feel more “you”, while providing you a space to show off the results of your hobbies. 

Nothing feels more like home than a pantry filled with foods you know and enjoy. It can be difficult to find local foods you enjoy if you’re moving to an unfamiliar area with, especially if you can’t reliably find foods from your hometown or country at groceries or supermarkets. As a result, it may be a good idea to stock up and bring foods and snacks that you enjoy to your new home (provided they are allowed through customs if you’re travelling from a foreign country). You can also buy familiar foods with online shopping.

Take advantage of your home internet to keep connected with your treasured family members and friends, wherever they may be. From video-calling, to multiplayer online gaming, to even TV show watch-parties, there are many ways you can connect with your family from your new rental accommodation.

You can also watch and partake in online classes together with your friends and family. Take the chance to learn how to decorate your home with a class on interior design. Masterclass offers classes on interior design, as well as other subjects such as yoga, acting, and writing. 

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