How to Personalize a Rental

Like many of you, I rent my home. The most common issue that renters have to overcome is the decorating dilemma. Tenants want to decorate their home, paint the walls and make other minor changes to personalize their rentals. Luckily, I've been blessed with a down-to-earth landlord that is okay with paint and as long as he approves the paint colors. But, other renters haven't been blessed with such understanding landlords. If your landlord won't let you paint or change other things in your home, the tips below are for you.

Statement Art

Hanging a few pieces of statement art on your walls can transform your rental décor from heinous to chic. Support independent artists by purchasing hand painted pieces of art from websites like Etsy.com or Deviantart.com. You can usually find great prices on pieces of art that the artist will never replicate, you'll have the only copy of the painting in the world. Hang large pieces of art over a sofa, mantle, bed or in a wide hallway to make it seem cozier. Alternatively, you can create your own budget pieces of art by purchasing canvas and simply stapling fabric with an interesting pattern to the canvas.

Theme to the Max

Though paint helps a lot, creating a theme in your room doesn't necessarily require paint. Decorate your rental by creating a theme and taking it to the max. For example, let's say the decorating theme for your bedroom is Parisian chic. Execute the decorating theme by hanging three long but narrow pieces of canvas painted blush pink over the bed. Dress the bed with silk sheets in ivory or pink and invest in pink or purple velvet chair and area rug. Paint all furniture white and change out the hardware in exchange for glass knobs. Finish off the look with blush pink, silk or satin curtains. Even if your decorating theme is something different, you can still take your decorating theme to the max by incorporating classic colors, textures and finishes of the decorating theme.

Decals

Decals are an inexpensive way to add a pop of color and interest to your walls without pain. Wall decals have become a classic part of decorating in rentals and college dorms because they are so easily removable. You can handcrafted and unique wall decals on websites like Etsy.com and Artfire.com. Alternatively, mass produced, yet reasonably priced artsy wall decals at Dalidecals.com.