How To Make Your Rental Feel Like Home

A rental may come with limits on painting, remodeling, or making permanent changes, but that doesn’t mean it has to feel temporary. Home is created just as much by the things you surround yourself with, the way a space functions, and the memories you make there. With a few renter-friendly ideas, you can make your space feel more comfortable, personal, and unmistakably yours.

Family Game Night

PERSONALIZE YOUR SPACE
One of the easiest ways to make a rental feel like home is to surround yourself with things that reflect your personality and the people, places, and experiences that matter to you.

  • Display family photos, artwork, or items with sentimental value.
  • Choose accessories that reflect your personality and preferences. A whimsical lamp, a piece of driftwood, a favorite souvenir, or anything else that makes you smile can give the space more character.
  • If you’re not sure what decorating style appeals to you, “Decorating Ideas to Complement Your Home Style” may give you some inspiration.

The goal isn’t to decorate according to somebody else’s rules. It’s to create surroundings that feel familiar and enjoyable to you.

CREATE COMFORTABLE SPACES
Comfort goes a long way toward making any place feel like home. Furniture you enjoy using, soft blankets, pillows, rugs, and different textures can make a room feel warmer and more inviting without requiring permanent changes.

  • Display photos of family, friends, and favorite places.
  • Decorate with keepsakes that remind you of good experiences.
  • Include a few items that reflect how you want the room to feel—calm, creative, energetic, comfortable, or fun.
  • Create a reading nook or another small retreat where you can relax.

ADD SCENT CAREFULLY
A familiar fragrance can contribute to the atmosphere of a room, whether it comes from a candle, diffuser, fresh flowers, or something baking in the kitchen. Choose scents you personally enjoy and use them lightly, since strong fragrances can quickly become overwhelming.

If you have pets, be especially careful with candles, essential oils, diffusers, and other scented products because some can be irritating or unsafe for animals. This article provides information about scents that may be harmful to pets. If you use essential oils, “7 Essential Oils That Are Safe for Dogs (And 14 That Aren’t)” offers additional information for dog owners.

USE COLOR TO SET THE MOOD
Color can influence how a room feels, even though everyone responds to colors differently. Warm shades and earthy tones can make shared spaces feel cozy, while softer blues, greens, and neutrals are often associated with a calmer atmosphere.

In a rental, you don’t necessarily need to paint the walls to bring color into a room. Bedding, pillows, rugs, artwork, curtains, and other removable accessories can accomplish a great deal. If you do want to paint or make another permanent change, check your lease and obtain permission from your landlord first. For more inspiration, see “Paint Your Rooms Amazing with the Right Colors.”

BRING IN SOME GREENERY
Houseplants can add natural color, texture, and life to a room. Choose plants that are appropriate for the available light, your ability to care for them, and any pets in the household. This article from Good Housekeeping offers some indoor plant ideas.

You might also grow herbs indoors. Besides adding greenery, they can be useful in everyday cooking. Some popular choices include:

  • Cilantro
  • Chives
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary

Herbs such as rosemary, lavender, and thyme can also add a pleasant natural fragrance. You can read more in 16 Herbs That Grow Indoors All Year. And if remembering when to water is a challenge, these gadgets may give you a few ideas.

CREATE PLACES TO CONNECT
A home isn’t defined only by how it looks. It’s also where conversations happen, meals are shared, and people spend time together. Arrange your furniture so people can comfortably talk, eat, play games, or simply spend time in the same room. Even a small rental can have a place where people naturally gather.

CREATE TRADITIONS & EXPERIENCES TO REMEMBER
Some of the things that make a place feel most like home have nothing to do with decorating. They’re the routines, traditions, and experiences that happen there. Consider:

  • Family movie night
  • A favorite bedtime routine
  • Baking holiday cookies
  • Family game night
  • Sunday brunches
  • Seasonal crafts or traditions
  • Creating a time capsule
  • Building a photo album or scrapbook
  • Starting a container or patio garden, if your rental allows it
  • Carving pumpkins or creating other seasonal traditions

CURATE A MEMORY WALL
A collection of framed photographs, travel souvenirs, children’s artwork, or other meaningful pieces can tell your story and make an otherwise ordinary wall feel personal. Use renter-friendly hanging methods where required and keep the display to a scale that works comfortably in the room.


Making a rental feel like home isn’t really about how much you can change. It’s about choosing the things, routines, and experiences that make the space feel comfortable and familiar to you. Whether you’ll be there for one year or many, you deserve to enjoy the place you call home while you’re living there.