Renting an apartment is a preferred way to live for many people, as it provides a lot of freedom and flexibility. Whether you try UMoveFree and find your apartment or use another method, having your own space is wonderful and can give you free rein over how it looks.
But one potential downside of living in a rented apartment is the rule about what you can and cannot do. Each landlord or company will have different regulations about the changes or alterations you can make to the space. If you do things outside of what you are allowed to, you risk losing your security deposit.
However, this doesn’t mean you need to leave everything exactly as it was when you moved in, as long as you are careful. With that in mind, this article will go over a couple of ideas to give your rented apartment a makeover without breaking the rules.
Focus on the Decor, Furniture, and Other Removable Aspects
When most people think about giving their space a makeover, they think of painting the walls, changing fixtures, and renovating rooms. However, in a rented apartment, you might not be able to do this.
Because you can’t change the bones of the home, you should focus on the removable and non-permanent aspects of the house. This includes the furniture in the space, the decor you have, the art you hang, and more.
Because this doesn’t permanently change the unit at all, you are free to switch these out and move them around as you wish to improve the look of your apartment. Best of all, these are things you can take with you when you eventually move somewhere else, unlike the walls.
Use Temporary or Alternative Adhesives
A big part of giving your home a makeover is hanging things on the wall. You may want to hang art, mirrors, tapestries, and various other things. However, a landlord won’t allow you to add things like nails or screws that can damage walls in many cases. If you do, you could be charged a hefty amount.
But thankfully, there are many ways to hang things on walls without leaving marks. This includes command strips, washi tape, putty, corkboards, wall trellis, etc. These will often work incredibly well, maintain their strength over time, and be removed easily without leaving residue.
Some landlords may allow a few nails or screws per wall, but always know what is allowed to ensure you don’t have to pay for repairs.
Change Out Your Light Bulbs
Lighting plays a very important role in how a home or apartment looks and feels. Simply changing out a fixture or two can completely change a room and the vibe it gives off. Unfortunately, while some landlords may allow you to change out light fixtures, this isn’t often the case.
But one thing you will be able to change is the bulb itself. There are many types of bulbs out there that give off different colors and shades of light and go from very bright to a much softer tone. This simple change can drastically alter how comfortable you are in a home and how it looks.
In addition to changing the look of the space and making it a more calming or relaxing space, newer LED bulbs can often cost you less every month and will last much longer than traditional bulbs.
Bring in Some Flowers and Plants
If your goal is to make your apartment more colorful, positive, and happy, one of the best ways to do this is with flowers. It can connect your home to the outdoors and help it look great. Flowers come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, so you are sure to be able to find some that look great in your space. They can introduce color, draw attention and even fill a home with a pleasant scent.
Outside of simply looking good, there are many other benefits of flowers in the home, too. They can reduce your stress, boost your mood, and more. Also, flowers and plants can be changed with the seasons, or your tastes change. They are an affordable way to add some excitement to your home, and with so many available, you will never be bored of having flowers in your home.
Of course, some plants and flowers can be toxic to pets, so be careful if you have a dog or cat in the home.
In conclusion, these ideas can be great ways to decorate and improve your rented apartment without worrying about losing your deposit.