Renter-Friendly Home Décor Ideas

Rental homes are not generally known for their lovely flooring, which is where rugs come into their own. We are always impressed by La Redoute’s selection of great value, stylish rugs which are often available in a range of sizes. Go as big as you can and layer up different styles for an eclectic look. Mulfier check woven jute rug, from £110, La Redoute

We discovered these fantastic vinyl tile stickers through Katherine Ormerod, who used them to transform the kitchen and bathroom in her own rental home. Available in dozens of styles, they’re the perfect commitment-free solution for covering grotty tiles and transforming a room on a budget. Blue patterned tile stickers, £20 for 24 pieces, Namly 

It’s the jolliest design motif of the moment and the scallop is not going anywhere soon. This scalloped edge MDF trim has myriad uses: cut down to size and glue it to the sides of a child’s bed, to shelves, a bath panel a book case or even a radiator cover. Add a lick of paint for a cheerful upgrade. Small scallop trim in water resistant MDF, ready to prime and paint, £14.50 for a 95 x 4cm length, Hello Nook

Lovely cushions are an easy upgrade for any room and can be easily swapped around. We love this ruffle gingham linen cushion cover in chocolate brown, £65, from Rebecca Udall

Invest in good quality furniture which will survive multiple moves and accompany you through each stage of life. Slim armchairs are not only easier to transport, they are also more flexible and can work just as well in a bedroom as in a living room. Finley armchair in Ditsy Blue fabric, £1,248 and Maeve handwoven rug, £148, both Rowen & Wren

If your window coverings are functional but uninspiring, a set of readymade curtains is an inexpensive solution for creating both privacy and interest. Bellis curtain, from £58, Anthropologie

No curtain poles? This drill-free extendable metal eyelet curtain pole from Dunelm is just the solution. Available five different finishes (our favourite is the matt black) it is held in place with a tension mechanism and can hold light to mid-weight curtains of up to 3kg. No Drills extendable metal eyelet curtain pole, £25, Dunelm

Wallpaper needn’t be off-limits in a rented home. A swathe of elegant peel and stick designs are coming on to the market, including iconic designs such as William Morris’s Larkspur. Easy to apply and a doddle to remove. Sage green William Morris removable wallpaper, £11.50 for 24” x 24” roll, Etsy

Brilliant white and traditional magnolia paint can be difficult to live with. A soft off-white such as Morris & Co’s Powdered Chalk makes a welcoming alternative without unsettling your landlord. Emulsion paint, from £59 for 2.5l, Morris & Co

Cover an ugly dining table with a pretty tablecloth and no one need know what lies beneath… Coral striped cotton tablecloth, £60, The Newt in Somerset

Rentals rarely have attractive radiators (nor do owned homes, for that matter). Mask them with inexpensive MDF radiator covers which double up as useful extra shelves. Adding a lick of eggshell paint will also inject some (removable) colour into the room. Radiator cover from £80, Homebase 

Nothing helps to personalise a home quite like art. Stock up on Command hooks and hang prints, posters, photographs and art with no worries about damaging the walls. Monro floating picture frames, from £20, Habitat 

Swap standard issue lampshades for these industrial-style ones from good old IKEA. Get out the paint sample pots and add some colour to the inside, or add a ring of paint to the outer edge for interest. They can accompany you when you move on. Ranarp pendant light, £29, IKEA 

Another great rug to add to your collection. This jute rug is neutral enough to work in a plethora of different schemes, while the geometric print adds a modern edge. Jude rug, from £58, Anthropologie 

Add a splash of colour to an otherwise all-white scheme to make a cheering statement. A small corner of colour is easily painted over when the time comes to move. Rangwali paint, £5.50 for a tester pot, Farrow & Ball 

Smarten up a sofa or style up a bed with a pretty, washable quilt. I have this blue and white striped quilt on the seat cushions of my own sofa at home (perfect for protecting it from dog hair, too…) Ib Lauren quilt, £49, The Hambledon 

Simple linen cushions are a classic and will work in every home. Navy stripe linen cushion cover, £39, The Linen Works 

Beautiful crockery looks great on the dining table and adds a decorative touch when stacked on open shelving. Splatter dinnerware set featuring a dinner plate, pasta bowl and side plate, £68, Hot Pottery