It seems like every home improvement show will rebuild entire rooms before you see a space that homeowners dream of–and it can be discouraging to see for a renter who can’t do the same.

You’re one with many renters who feel that they can’t make their space truly their own, and under most circumstances, feel uninspired by the lack of decoration options.

The recent changes to rental laws offer more protections and flexibility for renters, so rental providers can expect that tenants will be looking to run changes by them to personalise their space. According to Consumer Affairs VIC, rental providers now need to provide valid reasons to refuse these modifications to non-heritage listed buildings:

• Picture hooks or screws for wall mounts, shelves or brackets on surfaces other than brick walls 
• Wall anchoring devices on surfaces other than brick walls to secure items of furniture 
• LED light globes which do not require new light fittings
• Low flow shower heads if the original shower head is kept
• Blind or cord anchors
• Hardware-mounted child safety gates on walls other than brick walls
• Security lights, alarm systems or security cameras that:
  • Do not impact the privacy of neighbours
  • Can easily be removed from the rented premises
  • Are not hardwired to the rented premises 

Redecorating a space can be as fun and exciting for both tenants and homeowners alike. Changes to rental laws give renters more freedom and spell more ways to get creative about their space and mean new ways to get inspired by the ideas that are about to be shared. 

5 rental provider-approved ideas to decorate your space

You now have more room to coordinate with your rental provider to update the decor, so you can look forward to personalising your space while staying within regulations.

1. Add houseplants

Houseplants are a relatively inexpensive way to introduce greenery into one’s space, without breaking any rules. Nature-centred interior design is one of the most popular home trends today, and it’s relatively easy to integrate your home into outside gardens by adding a pop of greenery.

You may be intimidated by the idea of taking care of plants, and that’s completely valid considering that some plants need a different kind of care than others, but some houseplants are sturdy enough to weather even the most inexperienced green thumb.

When you’re getting started, you can look into plants that require infrequent watering (anywhere from once or twice a week) and can survive even in indirect sunshine like:

• Zanzibar Gem
• Anthurium Andraeanum
• Mass Cane
• Peperomia
• Calathea

You can add these plants in big pots set up in corners of your home, or keep them in smaller pots that you place on tables or in detached accent shelves.

1. Improve your storage system 

When ‘organising’ is mentioned in home improvement articles, you’ll often see recommendations to sledgehammer large hollows in the wall or build specialised shelving–and that just can’t happen if you’re living in a rented space. 

Making use of efficient storage systems can help a space feel less cluttered, temporary and impersonal. It can involve no additional minor construction if you’re efficient about how you use the space, what organising solutions you choose and what items you keep within reach. 

Upgrading your storage can include suction adhesion bathroom and kitchen organisers, shelf inserts or clip-on baskets, depending on what you need to keep. Sorting through the items you use daily, what you use less frequently and what you can dispose of can also help you streamline your process. This way you’re only organising items that you’re going to need.

1. Bring in some artwork

Including artwork in one’s home is a way to show one’s design sense and make it feel more personal. 

Contrary to what many decorating and home improvement shows will have viewers believe, artwork is not limited to frames mounted on walls with hooks drilled into walls. Leaning larger paintings on walls and including art on existing shelves are only some of the ways renters can incorporate art into their space. 

You can use velcro strips when sticking frames on tile walls, place art on top of tall furniture or shelves, or hang art on other furniture like bookcases. You can also use picture hooks or screws (as they’re covered under new regulations) if you’re comfortable with hanging the art.

1. Invest in light fixtures

Investment properties will have standard lighting and fixtures to keep it tasteful for a broad audience of possible renters, but when staying there, a tenant can look outside traditional bulbs and the ideas of specialised, renovation-dependent lighting systems.

Overhead lighting tends to be less flattering than other types of fixtures and can flatten even the most dynamic, well-designed spaces regardless of the effort you put into arranging it.

One fix is to add floor and table lamps, which transform your space depending on where they’re placed, plus these have a variety of different design options to suit your style. Adding lamps in unexpected places like the kitchen or bathroom complements existing light fixtures.

Plug-in wall sconces do not require rewiring or drilling and are alternatives to lamps when you lack floor space. Cord and plug variants are also available for pendant and chandelier lighting.

No matter the aesthetic you’re aiming for, light fixtures can improve the space’s ambience while bringing you closer to the look you want to have in your home.

1. Spruce up outdoor spaces

While not everyone has access to large yards in their rental, small outdoor spaces like patios and decks are floor spaces that can be just as customised to your personal taste. 

Start small by making the most of your existing fence; display plants in hanging pots on wooden fences, mixing and matching the shapes for an eye-catching look. For added function, add a shelf to keep entertaining essentials such as a woven tray for serving refreshments so they’re within reach when you have guests over. 

For less spacious outdoor nooks, you can anchor any seating with a low table beside it or between multiple chairs. Bigger outdoor patios can benefit from all-weather furniture if it lines up with the theme you select for your space–which, like another room in your rental, can follow the lead of your interiors or be a sharp contrast to the indoor living areas.

Whether you’re reviving a rental after renewing your agreement or moving into a new space, modifying your rental can be a fun and gratifying experience, especially under the changes to rental laws. It’s all a matter of indulging your creativity and seeing how you can make the rental your own, express your personality and suit your lifestyle. You’ll have noticed by now that many of the things allowed under new regulations give you more freedom to customise the space, and it’s hard to distinguish tips for homeowners from tips for tenants.

Now you’ve seen the possibilities with rental spaces, are you ready to find the right space for you? Ask our agents and we can find the property that suits your style.