Oct 2025 | 2-minute read, Design, How to, Styling

Without Breaking the Rules – You Can Make a Rental Feel Like Home

With the escalating cost of buying a property in Australia, the move towards long-term rental living continues to increase…so how do you make a rental feel like home without breaking the rules?

Renting can sometimes feel like you’re in someone else’s space, but it certainly doesn’t need to feel that way.

With restrictions on painting walls, hanging shelves, or making big changes, it’s easy to think your home has to stay plain and temporary. But there are plenty of renter-friendly ways to create a space that feels like you – without risking your bond.

Here are some simple, budget-friendly ideas.

1. Switch up soft furnishings

Property owners typically have control of the walls and carpets, but you decide what you bring in. Bedding, cushions, rugs, and throws can completely transform a space. Choose natural fabrics – like 100% linen – for a relaxed, sustainable choice that suits our Australian climate.

Rugs cover tired flooring and add warmth.
100% linen bedding adds instant luxury – it keeps you cosy on cool nights and cool on warm nights.
Layering cushions and throws for texture and style can significantly change the look of a space.

2. Add plants (even if you don’t have a green thumb!)

Indoor plants can make a huge difference in softening a space.

Hardy options like Snake plants (Sansevieria), Monstera and Zanzibar plants do well in Aussie indoor conditions.
If natural light is limited inside, try Zanzibar plants – they are extremely hardy and don’t require much water – excellent!

3. Play with lighting

Many rental properties come with quite bright downlights or dated fittings. While you can’t rewire, you can work around it.

Add floor lamps or table lamps to create soft, warm pools of light.
LED strips are renter-friendly and removable.
Smart bulbs are a small investment that let you adjust warmth and brightness without touching the fixtures.

4. Use removable wall solutions

If your rental agreement doesn’t allow more permanent art fittings, Command hooks and removable strips can be your best friends. They let you hang art, mirrors, or shelves without leaving a mark.

Test first in a less obvious spot to be sure and take notice of weight load restrictions. Mirrors and art leaning on the floor or cabinetry tops can also look fabulous.

Try a gallery wall of prints or framed photos.
Add a piece of wall art you love that adds style, colour or depth to a space.
An oversized piece of art or a mirror not only looks stylish but also can make a smaller space feel bigger.

5. Upgrade some small things

Even without renovations, you can swap out a few everyday items for a fresh look.

If you are planning on staying long-term, replace cupboard handles with stylish ones (just keep the originals to swap back before your lease ends).
Add fresh towels and bathroom accessories for an instant bathroom refresh.
In the kitchen, display attractive chopping boards, ceramics, or glass jars filled with dry goods.

6. Personalise with scent

Scent is powerful – it’s often the first thing people notice when they enter your home. Candles, diffusers, or fresh flowers create a signature feel that makes your space instantly more inviting.

7. Embrace portable pieces

If you’re renting long-term, invest in quality furniture and décor that you can take with you when you move. Think neutral sofas, linen bedding, versatile dining tables, statement lamps, and unique ceramic pieces. These pieces travel with you, so you’re building a home wherever you live.

Final thoughts

Being in a rental property can sometimes feel temporary or generic, but with a few smart, renter-friendly tweaks, you can make your space stylish, personal and very much your home. Focus on the elements you can change – textiles, lighting, art, and small details – and you’ll create a home that reflects your personality without risking your bond.

Because, at the end of the day, home isn’t about ownership – it’s about how a space makes you feel.

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