Whether relocating to a new rental property or moving into your first apartment, it may take a while for your new place to feel like home. After the stress of finding a new rental, paying the first month’s rent, and funding a security deposit, you may not have much left to decorate your rental the way you want. However, it’s important to feel comfortable in your new home. So, read along as we discuss how to make a rental feel like home using cost-effective strategies.
How to Make a Rental Feel More Like Home
Moving from one place to another can be stressful and uncomfortable, especially in a new town. Waking up in a different environment, seeing different sights, and entering a new neighborhood are all challenges that we face when we move. As such, making your environment feel more familiar can help you adjust more easily. So, if you’re wondering how to make a rental feel more like home, follow these ten steps.
Deep Clean the Entire Property
The first step to making the space feel new is deep cleaning everything. While property owners generally pay for cleaning services before and after tenants, ensuring it’s all clean to your standards can help you feel better. Make sure to clean the cabinets, floors, appliances, and the entire bathroom thoroughly to get the best results possible.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Another way to immerse yourself in a new community and neighborhood is by introducing yourself to your new neighbors. Getting to know new people can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it could make you feel more at home in your new rental. Better yet, you could make new friends right off the bat! If you live in an apartment complex, you’ll likely run into people in the halls or entryways, so consider stopping to introduce yourself and learn a little more about the community.
Add Personality to Your Living Spaces
While you’re sometimes limited with what you can do in terms of decorating your apartment, you can always add some personal flare. For instance, if you like a certain color, pattern, or design, base your decor around what you like. After all, you’re the one that lives there, so you might as well make your space as comfortable and personalized as you want. One way to do this is to buy your favorite color of bedding, furniture, or accent decor.
Replace Curtains or Blinds
Window treatments can set the tone and affect brightness in a rental home. For instance, if you have outdated blinds that are discolored or cracked, it’s a sight for sore eyes. As such, you may consider replacing them with curtains that you like. On the other hand, if you move into a place with outdated, faded curtains, you may want to replace them with modern, easy-to-use blinds so you can easily let light in when you want.
Get Creative With Storage Options
Apartments and rentals generally don’t have great storage options, so you sometimes have to get creative. For instance, if you don’t have enough cabinet space in your kitchen for all your pots and pans, you may consider hanging them above your sink or countertop with S-hooks. On the other hand, if you need more living room storage, you can buy an ottoman that doubles as blanket storage.
Consider Furniture Placement
How you place your furniture can completely change the look of a room. For instance, if you don’t have excellent lighting in your living room, consider a small side table with a lamp or standing lamp to bring in more light. Additionally, if you have areas in your living room overrun by television cords or imperfections, consider masking them with a reclining chair or a large potted plant. With better lighting and fewer imperfections, you can feel more at ease and comfortable in your new rental.
Invest in Multi-Use Furniture
If your apartment or rental home is quite small, moving all your items in may be difficult. As such, you may want to invest in multi-use furniture to cut down on space. For instance, a daybed or pull-out couch both double as places to sit during the day and places for guests to sleep at night. Additionally, buying coffee tables with storage drawers can reduce clutter by providing more space for your TV remote or other daily items.
Try Temporary Wallpaper
Most landlords or property managers don’t allow you to paint the walls in your rental any color you want. However, if you really want to change the look of boring white walls, consider temporary wallpaper or faux tile. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is generally easy to use and comes in various styles, colors, and textures. Additionally, faux tile can make for an attractive backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom, giving you a more updated look.
Hang Your Favorite Art Pieces
If you’re wondering how to make a rental feel like home, one of the easiest ways is by decorating it with your favorite art pieces. Art is uniquely special, and each person may have a different perspective. So, if you have art pieces that make you feel comfortable and happy, don’t hesitate to create a calming space in your new rental. After all, if your main focus is feeling more at home, utilize your favorite art pieces, furniture, and decor styles to do so.
Explore the Neighborhood
Aside from introducing yourself to your neighbors, learning more about the neighborhood, in general, can help you feel more at home. While you likely researched the neighborhood before moving, getting out and seeing it for yourself can give you a better idea. You can explore nearby restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and shopping centers to really see what the community has to offer.
See How Professional Property Management Can Help
An excellent property management company is crucial whether you’re a tenant or rental owner. After all, if you’re wondering how to make a rental feel like home, it starts with a welcoming property manager showing you around the premises. A good property manager will make you feel at home right from the start!
Whether you’re a renter or property owner, Professional Property Management in Northern Virginia can help. Our dedicated property managers handle all aspects of your business, whether you need help finding tenants or maintaining properties. So, contact PPM today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business succeed.
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