Forrestfield 
7 ways to personalise your rental property
Renting gives you a lot of flexibility and saves you from the many requirements and costs of owning your own place. However, it can be frustrating to live in someone else’s home because you are limited with what you can do.
The good news is there are plenty of ways to introduce your own personality to your rental property.
1. House plants: With the rolling lockdowns of the last few years, even plants have made their way indoors. Not only are hardy houseplants the perfect way to bring the outdoors in, but they will also transform any room. Some of the most resilient plants for indoor areas are Aspidistra elatior (aka the cast iron plant), peace lilies, Monstera deliciosa/Swiss cheese plant and syngonium podophyllum/arrowhead.
2. Art: Art in a frame or on canvas will stamp your personality on your space and make it feel like your own. If it’s not possible to hang art on the wall because of rental agreements, you can prop large pieces on the floor. Get creative, for example, a stack of books can make a clever pedestal to raise a piece higher.
There is also always the option of removable picture strips. They are readily available at most supermarkets and your landlord should be ok with you using them (just check with your property manager first).
3. Unique furniture: The building may belong to someone else but the furniture can be all yours. Even if you rent a furnished place, you can still bring in pieces of your own. The best thing is that when you have to move, the new place will feel like yours before you know it because it will be filled with your familiar couch, dining table etc..
4. Removable fixtures. Anything that you can take off and pack away, you can replace with choices of your own. Cupboard handles, tapware, showerheads, even curtains or blinds can be updated to match your taste.
Because you are renting, you will need to put the original parts safely away and reattach them when you leave. It’s also a good idea to let the property manager know what you’re doing so they’re not confused by a slightly different home at inspection time.
5. Paint: If you can’t stand the colours you’re surrounded by, your landlord may be open to discussing a paint job. They could offer to pay for it, or other options may be to split the costs or for you to choose a colour you like but paint it over before you leave. This is something to discuss with your property manager because there are rules about who can do work on the home.
6. Rugs: A nice rug can tie a room together and it’s yours to take with you when you move. Add a pop of colour and really express your personality with your choice of rug.
7. Lighting: You don’t have to settle for the lighting the way it is in your rental home. Carefully placed lamps can add mood lighting to any room. Standing lamps work well in larger spaces and table lamps can do the job in bedrooms.
If the changes you want to make involve removing anything or will be tricky to reverse, take the time to chat with your property manager. Openly communicating can even help you to make more significant changes like adding a picture rail or installing an air conditioning unit. It’s always worth asking, especially if you have a good relationship with the agency that manages the home.
