You’ve done the hard bit. You’ve spent hours searching on Rightmove and now you’ve found your perfect place. But making it feel like home can be a whole other challenge, especially when you’re renting. Some landlords are more relaxed than others, but generally speaking, painting rooms, making holes in the wall or making any other permanent changes are off the cards. Fortunately there are plenty of ways that you can make your new place feel like your own home without losing your deposit.

Having somewhere comforting to relax at the end of a long day is important, and whilst you might not be in your “dream” home, there are plenty of simple things that can be changed to make somewhere feel more like your space, whether you have one room or a whole house. I’m a creature of habit, so when I moved a few weeks back I struggled to feel like I could really settle and as though it was ‘my’ home. It really felt like I was living in someone else’s home, because I was. But once I started to make a few simple changes it started to feel more homey and now I no longer feel that I’m just living in someone else’s place. Nothing required any expertise in DIY, effected my deposit or cost a lot, they’re just simple ways to make any space feel more like a home.

Scent

You know when you walk through the door, inhale and suddenly it smells like home? That’s what you’re aiming for here. If it smells like someone else’s place it’s always going to feel a little bit like someone else’s place. Scent diffusers are a great way to gently scent rooms and create a nice refreshing atmosphere, we really like these M&S ones. I’m also obsessed with my electric diffuser. Add in a bit of water and the oils of your choice to fill the room with a refreshing scent in no time. Mine also has a soft light so you get the ambience of a candle without the smoke/fire hazard. 

Plants

Having pops of greenery around your home instantly makes it feel like a more positive and welcoming environment, and that you’re a bit more rooted somewhere (excuse the pun). They’re a great way to add in some colour and personality, especially if hanging artwork is out the question. Plants also act as a great focal point in a room or the perfect way to fill and awkward space. Opt for ones that don’t need a lot of attention and even the most novice plant-parent will be ok. We used this really handy guide on Patch Plants, or you could just go for fake ones.

Soft Furnishings

If you’ve gone for a furnished rental you probably won’t have a lot of say over what the bed, sofa or wardrobes look like, but you can still make things feel more ‘you’ with soft furnishings. Cushions, blankets, rugs, throws, none of them have to cost the earth but they all help to make somewhere look and feel more welcoming. I can spend hours browsing Homesense, La Redoutte or, of course, eBay to find something that instantly makes everything feel that bit cosier.

Artwork & Pictures

You might not be able to hang any pictures (and I still don’t really trust command strips) but you can always pick up a few cute frames and add in some photos. Got prints that you love? Just balance them on top of a chest of drawers or an existing shelf. Prints and artwork are a really quick way to add your personality to a room and a bit of colour. Snapfish are great for printing your favourite photos out and sites like Desenio have endless options for affordable prints and frames. They also have curated collections if knowing what really goes together feels a bit intimidating. Genius.

Making somewhere really feel like home can take a while but adding a few touches to make it feel more like your space will definitely speed up the process. There are plenty of affordable home updates that you can make, just refreshing your bedding or picking up a little cactus to sit on the windowsill can make a big difference. To make somewhere truly feel like home can take a while, it’s a slow burn, but in the meantime there are still ways to add in your own personality. If you’ve got any other tips for making your rented place feel more like your own place then share them below.