10 Good Tips For Renters To Feel At Home

by Rebecca Orlov on apartmenttherapy.com

One of the best things you can do as a renter is to treat your rental as your home instead of a 12 month contract. As a longtime renter, I've picked up some great tips - some practical, some emotional - when it comes to home sweet home. Try these to make yourself feel at home.

Change out the lights

Set the design tone in your rental by replacing the standard lights with new ones that fit your taste. Plus use lower wattage bulbs to create an intimate vibe in your home.

Live by the idea of "home sweet home" 

Even though it's a rental, you are living there so take on the perspective that this is your home and place for you to enjoy, relax and unwind.

Save your boxes

Save yourself $40 or so and take apart your moving boxes when you are done unpacking and place them in a closet or under your bed.

Buy a toolbox 

A small toolbox with a hammer, nails, screwdriver, etc is a great resource to have around when moving in and getting settled. For most projects around the house we need at least a couple of basic tools to get the job done. In our last place we had a lot of drawers in the kitchen so we could dedicate one to tools/picture hangers/nails/etc. In our new place we need to rely on a toolbox (and to be honest, the drawer wasn't great since we still had to do a lot of digging to find what we were looking for). Below we've rounded up some of our favorite no-nonsense toolboxes to help organize those things you use most for repairs and projects around the house.



Get rid of the "box" that you may keep lugging around with you 

If you aren't going to unpack it, then you probably don't need it. Really consider what you are keeping in your home. If it's meaningful then find a place for it. If it's just stuff, consider letting it go.

Paint 

For under $50, you can really design your space with great color ideas. Take the extra step and confirm with your landlord that you can paint and simply repaint when you are ready to move. If you are not allowed to paint, there are some great temporary wallpaper sources these days.


Use your walls 

It's easy to fill nail holes (and many new hanging hardware doesn't require making holes!) when you leave so hang up your favorite pictures and artwork. Surround yourself with things you love.

Invest in pieces that you know you will keep 

Along the ideas of home sweet home, invest in pieces that you love and you know you will use. Forget the idea of waiting until you own a place. Long after you leave your rental, you'll have these with you.


Unpack all of your stuff 

It takes some people a while and some people no time at all but unpack all of your things when you move and really settle into your home.