Renting a property can sometimes feel limiting when it comes to making improvements to the home. You may love the idea of personalising your space, but are understandably hesitant about breaching your rental agreement or losing your security bond. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to enhance your rental property, without risking conflicts with your landlord or making permanent changes. In this guide, we’ll explore simple, affordable upgrades that transform your rental into a more comfortable, functional and stylish home – without the worry of impacting your living arrangements.
Enhancing Your Space As A Renter
Personalising a rental property can be tricky, particularly when you’re limited by rules and regulations about what you can and can’t alter. The key is to focus on upgrades that are reversible and won’t violate a lease agreement, but still add comfort and style to the space.
Simple changes including rearranging furniture, adding decorative elements and introducing new soft furnishings can make your space feel more like home. And the best part? These enhancements don’t require major renovations, mitigating the risk of infringing on the lease agreement and losing your security bond.
Temporary & Affordable Upgrades
Making your rental fell more like home doesn’t have to involve permanent changes or break the bank. Here are some relatively affordable renter-friendly ideas:
- Peel & Stick Wallpaper or Decals: Create accent walls or update dull spaces without damaging the existing paint.
- Swapping Fixtures: Switching out showerheads, light fixtures or cabinet handles can give your bathroom or kitchen a contemporary look. These items are easy to replace when you move out.
- Soft Furnishings: Add personality and warmth with throws, curtains and rugs. These can transform a room instantly without the need for permanent alterations.
- Upcycling: Consider browsing the second hand shops or upcycling older pieces of furniture to refresh a space without spending a fortune.
These upgrades, while small, make a significant impact – and because they’re all temporary, you can easily take them with you when you move house.
Maximising Space & Storage
Renters often face challenges with limited space, but clever storage solutions can make even the smallest areas organised and highly functional.
A great way to maximise space in your rental is to invest in multi-functional or modular furniture. For instance, storage ottomans, fold out desks and beds with built in drawers can provide extra storage space without cluttering a room. These versatile pieces are ideal for rentals, where space is generally at a premium.
In bathrooms and kitchens, non-permanent solutions like magnetic racks, hanging shelves and under-sink organisers can save space and reduce untidiness. For small living areas, utilising vertical space is a game changer – installing tall shelves or wall hooks allows you to make the most of your available room without making a mess on the floor.
Improving Air & Water Quality In Your Rental
A healthy living environment is just as important as how the space looks. As a renter, you may not have control over major systems, but there are still some simple ways to improve the air and water quality in your rental property.
- Air Purifiers: These devices help to remove allergens, pollutants and dust, improving indoor air quality. They are particularly useful for city dwellers or those with allergies.
- Humidifiers: In dry climates, humidifiers can improve moisture levels in the air, making your space more comfortable, particularly in the winter.
- Water Filtration Systems: Many rentals have stock standard water supply, but you can easily upgrade and receive great benefits with a renter-friendly water filtration system. At WestOz Water Filters, we have a range of reverse osmosis and countertop water filters that can be installed without causing any damage to the property. Installing a renter-friendly water filtration system gives you clean, better tasting water without the need for approval from the property owner.
Improving the air and water quality in your rental can lead to a healthier lifestyle without making any permanent changes to your rental.
Green Improvements: Eco-Friendly Considerations
If you’re a renter who values the environment and is looking to make eco-friendly upgrades, there are several simple, sustainable changes you can implement without needing approval. Here are a few of the easy, green improvements:
- Energy Efficient Lighting: Swap out standard bulbs for LED ones which last longer and reduce energy consumption.
- Low Flow Showerheads: Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures can help your household conserve water, reducing utility bills without requiring major changes.
- Water Filtration: Water filtration is a tremendous way to reduce plastic waste, as you no longer need to buy bottled water. This is a simple and easy way to be environmentally friendly, while also improving your own health.
Implementing a few small changes can have a big impact on both the environment, and your wallet.
Building A Relationship With Your Landlord
For renters looking to make larger, more permanent improvements, open communication with your landlord or property manager is crucial. If you want to propose upgrades that can benefit both you and the property, it’s important to approach the conversation strategically.
Start by highlighting how the proposed upgrade, such as a whole house water filtration system, could increase the long term value of the property. Property owners are often more open to changes if they understand the benefits regarding future maintenance savings or added value for future tenants.
Additionally, you could offer to split the cost of the improvement, or negotiate a rent reduction in exchange for purchasing the upgrade. Just make sure any agreements you enter in to are clearly documented and approved in writing to avoid any misunderstandings down the line.
Conclusion
Improving your rental doesn’t necessarily mean violating your lease or breaking the bank. With temporary upgrades, smart storage solutions and eco-friendly enhancements, you can create a space that is both functional and stylish. By focusing on renter-friendly renovations, you can elevate your rental property’s comfort – without compromising your security bond.
If you’re chasing an easy way to improve the quality of your home’s water, WestOz Water Filters offers a wide range of filtration systems that can be installed without any hassle. If you’re unsure which system is the best fit for you and your home, get in touch with our expert team today!