Moving into a rental can feel a bit like checking into a hotel with an extended stay—you’re surrounded by someone else’s walls, floors, and sometimes furniture. You’d like to make yourself at home, but it’s difficult to suppress the nagging sense that everything is temporary. The silver lining? With a little ingenuity, a little patience, and the addition of one or two personal touches, you can really make a rental feel homey and inviting. It doesn’t necessarily have to be permanent to be personal.
Start With the Senses
One of the fastest ways to make a space feel like home is by tapping into your senses. Start with smell—perhaps you have a beloved candle, a piece of incense, or simply the aroma of fresh laundry. That scent can make an instant space feel more “you.”
Next is sound. Music, particularly what you listen to when you’re unwinding or tidying on weekend afternoons, can set the vibe. Even a compact speaker playing your go-to playlist can assist with blocking out strange sounds and grounding the space.
And don’t forget touch. That favorite throw blanket you adore? Pull it out. Your own sheets? A must. The aim is to be surrounded by textures and materials that feel comfortable, even if everything that surrounds them isn’t yours.
Lighting Makes All the Difference
Most rentals have drab overhead lights that make the space feel more like it’s set for a waiting room, less like a living one. Fortunately, one of the simplest things to switch out which doesn’t need your landlord’s permission is lighting. Table and floor lamps, string lights—or whatever your aesthetic is—can change the character of a space within minutes. Wherever possible, use warm light bulbs since they produce a softer, warmer light that makes it feel more welcoming.
Adding layers to light also makes a difference. Rather than having one bright, overpowering source, spread a few lesser lights throughout the area. In this way, whether you are reading, watching your television, or simply unwinding after work, the light suits your attitude.
Temporary Doesn’t Mean Tasteless
Just because you can’t paint the walls or replace the floors doesn’t necessarily equate to having to leave everything as it is. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a godsend. So are removable shelves and hooks. Even simply propping a large work of art against a wall can create an impactful change visually without a solitary nail hole.
If floors are getting under your skin, rugs are your best bet. They bring color, texture, and warmth—and cover a multitude of sins. And when you move, they move too.
While you’re adding these personal touches, don’t forget to protect your belongings. It’s highly recommended that you invest in a good insurance product like Lemonade renters insurance. Their prices are easy on the pocket, and you can protect all your personal belongings if anything unexpected happens—like theft, fire, or even water damage.
Bring in the personal stuff
Don’t be dismissive of the power of everyday objects. Pictures, books, coffee cups, travel souvenirs, or even that worn old pillow you’ve kept since college—those small corners of your life are important. They evoke memories, anecdotes, and a feeling of familiarity. Hang that cherished print. Place a picture of your dog on the bedside table. Leave your go-to cookbooks out on the kitchen counter. These are more than accessories—they are reminders that you belong, at least temporarily.
And don’t feel compelled to decorate everything at once. It’s fine if your house gradually develops over the years. Some of the best spaces are the ones which develop together with you.
Plants Really Do Help
It may be a cliché, but plants absolutely have an impact. They add life to a room, and even one potted plant can make a difference to the ambience. Don’t have a green thumb? Don’t worry—low-maintenance plants are easy to find, such as snake plants or pothos. Alternatively, opt for dried flowers, which require zero work but still look nice.
And there’s something soothing about watering a plant and seeing it blossom. It’s like keeping a little piece of nature within, a reminder that you’re rooted—even temporarily.
Kitchen Comforts Do Go a Long Way
The kitchen, when you rent, is usually one of the most challenging spaces to make your own. You may or may not be fond of the countertops and cabinets, but you can still make it your own. Bring in your beloved dishes, that coffee cup you use every morning, and a couple of gadgets or tools that make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
Even a small thing like adding a comfortable mat before the sink or a cheerful dish towel can make a difference. And when you start cooking your own food, particularly the dishes you know from childhood or reminisce fondly about, the kitchen begins to feel like home right away.
Don’t Skip the Bathroom
It’s simple to neglect the bathroom when you move in, but it’s also worthy of a little affection. A shower curtain you enjoy, a set of plush towels, a pleasant-looking soap dispenser—a little goes a long way to making the place feel more personalized.
Add a small tray for your daily essentials or a plant on the windowsill, and the bathroom feels less like it’s occupied by a stranger.
Let Go of the “Perfect”
Perhaps the greatest secret to getting your rental to feel like home is to let go of the notion that everything must be perfect. It’s fine if the furniture isn’t coordinated or if the layout is a little odd. What’s important is that it’s functional for you and that it’s a place you’ll be eager to return to.
You don’t require an Instagram-perfect setting or an aesthetic match for your space to make it feel pleasant. What ultimately counts most is that it feels like you—relaxed, genuine, and at ease.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, home isn’t just a set of walls—it’s a feeling. It’s the scent of your favorite candle burning in the evening, your playlist humming in the background, the throw blanket that makes you feel safe, and the clutter of your everyday life unfolding in a space that reflects who you are.
A rental can absolutely be home—it just takes a little time, some thoughtful touches, and the willingness to put your stamp on things. Because home isn’t about permanence. It’s about presence.
Lexy Summer is a talented writer with a deep passion for the art of language and storytelling. With a background in editing and content creation, Lexy has honed her skills in crafting clear, engaging, and grammatically flawless writing.
