The Do’s and Don’ts of Decorating Your Rental

by Kathy Johnston | Nov 16, 2020 | Renting | Return|

Whether you are about to move into a new rental or have been renting for a while, it’s important to know what you can and can’t do when it comes to decorating. The last thing that you want is to have to pay extra expenses to your property management company when you move out to revert a decorative change you made.

DO: Express Yourself

Getting to decorate a new home is one of the best parts of moving. You have a blank canvas to express yourself and your creativity, so don’t let it go to waste! Before you start decorating, it’s a good idea to have a plan of what you want your home to look like. This could be as simple as choosing a theme or style for your rental from interior design trends or as complex as creating a plan for where everything needs to go and what you need to buy to achieve the overall decorating goal. Don’t forget to have fun with it; remember that even though it’s a rental, you still have the ability to make it your own!

DON’T: Alter Main Parts of Your Rental

Paint, floors, walls, outside, major renovations, etc.
While a new rental gives you the option to express yourself through decorations, furniture choices, and more, there are some things that you can’t do. One of the main things that fall into that category is altering permanent parts of the home. This includes painting the walls, changing the floors, and other major renovations. One alternative to painting a wall that you don’t like is buying temporary and removable wallpaper, while an area rug or something similar can work for covering up the floor. Remember that your stay in a rental is temporary, so any major changes most likely will be prohibited. If you are unsure about whether or not you can make a change, always ask your property manager.

DO: Take Advantage of Natural Light

Not only can the use of natural light be beneficial for the people living in your rental, but it can also bring various pieces and decorations around the home together. It can make smaller rooms look more spacious, and help you save money on your electricity bill compared to using artificial light fixtures. So open up those curtains and let the light shine in!

DON’T: Put a Bunch of Holes in the Wall

If you have a mirror, favorite painting, or another decor piece that you want to hang up, it might be tempting to want to put nails or pins in the wall for them to hang from. However, a better option is to use adhesive hooks or damage-free tape. These options help you avoid the costs of patching holes and repainting the wall upon your move-out date. There are many different options available for adhesive hooks and tape, so make sure that you get the right one for the object that you want to hang up. Additionally, check your rental contract to see what the guidelines are for hanging decorations in your specific rental.

If you have any questions at all regarding whether you can or can’t do something when it comes to decorating your rental, it’s best to contact your property management company or landlord ahead of time.