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Moving into a rental can sometimes feel empty since renters can’t really make the space their own. This is particularly true for college students living in dormitories or renting from a strict landlord. Sure, you can’t knock down walls or install a kitchen island, but with a little creativity and the right must haves, you can still transform your rental space into an extension of a space that you can call yours.
Why Renters Should Have a Comfortable Space
Going home to a cozy haven after a long day can help you to relax and recharge. This is why it’s important that even if you’re just renting, you make the space your own. If you’re comfortable and happy with your space, you’ll have a place you’ll look forward to coming home to, day after day. Remember that renting doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your style or personality, decorating your rental space just needs a little outside of the box thinking.
1. Boosts Productivity: When you feel comfortable in your space, you are more productive and energetic to work. Whether you’re working from home or studying, a well-organized space can enhance your ability to focus and do your tasks effectively.
2. Reduces Stress: A comfortable space helps with your mental well-being. It alleviates stress, prevents anxious and worrisome thoughts, and gives you peace of mind. It also contributes to one’s overall happiness and satisfaction, influencing our mood positively. For renters, it could often be a challenge. But making small, temporary changes can have a significant impact.
3. Encourages Creativity: Comfort fosters a relaxed mind, which can lead to more creative ideas. A cluttered or uncomfortable space can lead to distractions and a lack of motivation. Remember, your physical space can either enhance or hinder your creativity.
4. Improves Health: Poorly designed space can lead to physical injuries such as neck and back pain and other physical issues. In addition, a lack of proper lighting can cause headaches and poor vision. But if you make your space your own, you can create one that supports your physical health and well-being.
5. Promotes Positive Relationships: A comfortable space can make social interactions more enjoyable, leading to stronger, longer-term relationships. When your space is more comforting and welcoming, your friends or family will want to visit you. Whether it’s hosting a dinner party or just a quiet night to Netflix and chill, a comfortable space improves these experiences.
6. Supports Relaxation: A comfortable space is essential for rest and unwinding, helping us recharge for the week ahead. When you feel comfortable, your quality of sleep improves. When we have good sleep every night, we wake up feeling more refreshed the next day.
7. Creates a Sense of Stability: Renters often feel their home is transient, which makes them think twice about decorating the space that they know they’d only stay in temporarily. By investing in your living environment, you’ll feel a sense of stability no matter how long or short you plan on staying. This sense of stability is important for your mental health, keeping you grounded.
To make your rental feel like home, we have compiled nine renter-friendly products that renters can purchase. Don’t worry; these products will still allow you to get your security deposit back when it’s time to move out.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is an easy way to transform your walls from bland and boring to chic or daring. The good news about this product is that you have thousands of designs to choose from! You are sure to find one that best suits your personality, like this modern and versatile herringbone design. What’s more, they are easy to install and easy to remove when you need to move out and will not leave any residue behind. Just make sure that what you’re buying is the peel-and-stick kind. Easy-peasy, landlord-is-pleasy!
Command hooks and strips
If you think you don’t have the patience or the precision to install wallpaper and would prefer to hang up pictures or artwork instead, command hooks and strips are your best bet. With these adhesives, you won’t need to drill holes in your walls to hang fairy lights or posters. This variety pack from the Command Store comes with strips for ten pictures, small, medium, and large utility hooks, wire hooks and 20 more strips.
Area rugs
Another way you can improve your dorm room or rental is by purchasing area rugs. Not only will it keep your toes warm and toasty during the winter season, but it’s also an easy and, of course, a rental friendly way to spruce up your space. Area rugs are also great for defining the different areas in an open-plan space, like a studio. These rugs can separate your living room and bedroom without the need for a physical divider. Choose a low maintenance area rug like a geometric low pile rug especially if you’re expecting heavy foot traffic.
Removable shelves
Shelves are necessary for displaying your collectibles (perfect ice breaker for when you have guests visiting your dorm room or rental). But drilling holes in the wall of a rental is not a good idea, unless you can patch the holes and repaint the wall to make it look brand new. Fortunately, there are removable shelves that you can use without causing any wall damage. These 3 pieces rental friendly floating shelves from the Fixwal Store already include its own adhesive hooks for smooth walls and traceless nails for textured walls.
Multipurpose furniture
When you’re living in a rental, especially a small one, you would want to maximize all the space available. Investing in multipurpose furniture can help with your need for storage or in the case of this ottoman bench from the SONGMICS Store, extra seating space for when you have classmates come over for a party, uhhmmm, a study session.
Plug-in ambient lights
Harsh light can hurt your eyes and is not conducive for studying. Plug-in ambient lights such as floor and table lamps and string lights can turn your dorm room or rental to a comfy space. These light sources are renter friendly products since they don’t require any wiring or installation. Some table lamps, like this one from the AmberFun Store, are even multipurpose, featuring built-in charging ports and power outlets.
Fleece throws and pillows
Having throws and pillows while living in a rental adds not just your personal touch, but also provides comfort and warmth. This cozy fleece throw blanket is perfect for curling on your sofa, bed, chair or even on the floor while studying or relaxing. Choose from a variety of colors and textures but we recommend a fluffy one for maximum snuggle comfort.
Temporary backsplashes
Like peel-and-stick wallpaper, temporary backsplashes can instantly upgrade the look of your rental kitchen. They also come in different designs and are easy to install and remove. Just peel it, stick it and watch as your kitchen transforms without a single drop of grout. This backsplash from the FunStick Store also comes in a white herringbone design.
Plants and greenery
No space is truly complete without a touch of greenery. Plants breathe life into any room and can help in improving air quality. If you’re worried about your incredible ability to kill any plants that you come across with, start with low-maintenance options such as this plant terrarium with wooden stand that is perfect for Pothos vines (aka that plant that’s easy to propagate and difficult to kill). You can even opt for faux plants, especially if you don’t trust yourself to remember to regularly water a live one.
