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Rentals come with beige walls, bright overhead lights and rules about nails. The good news: most of what makes a home feel cozy has nothing to do with paint or renovation. Here is how to warm up a rental and still get your deposit back.
Layer your lighting
Overhead lights are the fastest way to make a room feel cold. Add two or three lamps at different heights, use warm bulbs (around 2700K) and turn the ceiling light off in the evening. Plug-in wall sconces give the look of built-in lighting without an electrician.
Bring in soft textiles
A large rug, a linen throw and a few textured pillows do more for a room than almost anything else. Stick to two or three colors so it feels calm rather than busy. If the floors are cold or loud, a rug pad adds softness and keeps the rug from slipping.
Hang things without holes
- Removable adhesive hooks and strips for light frames and mirrors
- A large mirror or framed print leaned against the wall or on a dresser
- Picture ledges held with removable strips for a gallery you can rearrange
Always test removable strips on a hidden spot first and follow the weight limits on the package.
Swap the small hardware
Keep the original cabinet knobs and shower head in a labeled bag. Swapping in your own changes the feel of a kitchen or bathroom for very little, and you can switch them back on move-out day.
Add something living
A few easy plants, or good faux stems if you travel, add life and color. Pothos and snake plants handle low light well.
Make one cozy corner
You do not have to finish the whole place at once. Pick one corner, add a chair, a lamp, a small table and a throw, and you have a spot that feels finished right away.
Before you buy anything
Read your lease for rules on painting, wallpaper and wall anchors, and take dated photos of the walls and floors when you move in. It makes the deposit conversation much easier later.
Want more ideas? Follow along on Pinterest.
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