How to spruce up your rental for 2025 on a budget
An article for tenants written by Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director, Leaders Romans Group.
If you’re currently living in a rental property, hopefully, your landlord has done a good job of giving you a lovely home that’s being let legally and safely.
But no matter how well the property has been decorated and furnished – and especially if you’ve lived there for a while and aren’t planning to leave any time soon – you might want to make some changes and put your stamp on it to feel like your home.
Of course, you don’t want to spend too much on making significant changes when it’s not your property! So we’ve put together five ideas for how you can spruce up your rental on a budget:
What will your landlord allow?
This is the first thing to check. Your tenancy agreement will likely outline minor changes you can make, but speak to your landlord about what else you’d like to do, such as repainting or changing the curtains. Most landlords are reasonable, and with the average tenancy now lasting more than four years, your landlord might even be prepared to pay for the changes you want to make.
If you are updating, replacing or fitting anything yourself, ensure you have the landlord’s agreement in writing. Remember that if you damage the property, you will be responsible for covering the cost of repairs, so it’s well worth having contents insurance that can protect you financially if you have an accident.
What can you take with you when you move?
Cushions, rugs, lamps, and bedding can make a huge difference in the look and feel of a room, and they can all be found at very reasonable prices. That said, you may be happy to invest a little more because you can take them all with you when you eventually move on. You could even ask your landlord about replacing a bed or sofa; however, check that they’d be prepared to remove their own furniture at no cost to you.
Although it’s not a legal requirement for items you own to be fire-safe, it is sensible. Most soft furnishings and upholstered items should be compliant, but check to ensure a ‘match resistant’ or other label is attached, confirming that the item meets the 1988 safety regulations.
Lighten and brighten your home with mirrors
Mirrors bounce light and can give the illusion of extra space, so they’re an easy way to change the look of your home – and they needn’t be expensive. A large mirror can transform the feel of a narrow hallway and act as an extra window in a darker room.
Wait for the sales
While you can pick up general décor items such as pictures and cushions reasonably cheaply, for more expensive things like curtains and kitchen equipment, it’s worth planning ahead and waiting for a sale or ‘Black Friday’ deals.
Also, keep an eye out for any local businesses closing down that want to get rid of all their stock, and check out local markets where you can often get excellent deals from independent sellers.
Go green!
Plants are a great way to bring life and colour into your home, and they needn’t be expensive. Peace lilies are affordable, low-maintenance plants that thrive in darker spots and perk up any room. You can even invest in some artificial plants or flowers – there are some excellent ones out there – and, again, they can move with you.
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