How To Make Your Rental Feel Like Home

Who says you have to own the place before you can love living there? A rental may come with rules about paint, walls, and permanent changes, but there are still plenty of ways to make it feel like you. Bring in the colors you love, the things that make you smile, the people you enjoy, and the traditions that turn an address into somewhere you’re genuinely happy to come home to.

Family Game Night

PERSONALIZE YOUR SPACE
This is where the fun starts. You don’t need permission to surround yourself with things that remind you who you are and what you enjoy.

  • Put out favorite family photos, artwork, and meaningful keepsakes.
  • Add accessories with personality. A whimsical lamp, a travel souvenir, an unexpected piece of driftwood—if it makes you smile, it has already earned its place.
  • Still figuring out your style? “Decorating Ideas to Complement Your Home Style” can get the ideas flowing.

The best part is that your home doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It just has to make you happy when you walk through the door.

CREATE COMFORTABLE SPACES
Give yourself places you actually want to use. Add a soft throw to the sofa. Put a great lamp beside your favorite chair. Bring in a rug that makes the room feel warmer. Comfort is one of the fastest ways to turn “the rental” into “my place.”

  • Put favorite photos where you’ll enjoy seeing them.
  • Display treasures that remind you of great trips or good times.
  • Choose objects that reinforce the mood you want in the room.
  • Turn one corner into a reading nook or private getaway.

ADD A FAVORITE SCENT
Sometimes home is something you smell before you even notice it. Fresh coffee, a candle you love, a little lavender, or flowers on the table can instantly change the atmosphere. Just keep fragrances subtle so they enhance the space instead of taking over.

Have pets? Check first. Some essential oils and scented products can be unsafe for animals. This article can help, and dog owners may also want to read “7 Essential Oils That Are Safe for Dogs (And 14 That Aren’t).”

BRING IN COLOR
Color is one of the easiest ways to give a room personality. Maybe you love earthy tones and warm oranges. Maybe soft blues and greens make you want to relax. Go with what feels good to you.

And renters have plenty of options even when painting isn’t allowed. Pillows, rugs, bedding, artwork, curtains, and removable décor can completely change a room. If painting is on your wish list, check the lease and ask the landlord first. For inspiration, see “Paint Your Rooms Amazing with the Right Colors.”

ADD SOME LIFE
A splash of green can make almost any room feel fresher. Pick plants that fit your light, your schedule, and any pets that share the space. This article from Good Housekeeping can give you some ideas.

Better yet, grow something you can eat! A sunny windowsill may be perfect for herbs such as:

  • Cilantro
  • Chives
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary

Rosemary, lavender, and thyme can add natural fragrance too. Check out 16 Herbs That Grow Indoors All Year. And if you’re the person who suddenly remembers the plant hasn’t been watered in eight days, these gadgets might come in handy.

MAKE ROOM FOR PEOPLE
A great home isn’t just fun to look at—it’s fun to live in. Arrange the sofa and chairs so conversation happens naturally. Give people somewhere to gather for dinner, games, or a spontaneous Friday night pizza. You don’t need a huge room to create a place everyone enjoys being together.

CREATE TRADITIONS & EXPERIENCES TO REMEMBER
This may be the best part of all. The things you remember years from now probably won’t be the color of the walls. They’ll be what happened between them. Start some traditions of your own:

  • Family movie night
  • A favorite bedtime routine
  • Baking holiday cookies
  • Game night
  • Sunday brunches
  • Seasonal crafts and celebrations
  • Create a time capsule
  • Build a photo album or scrapbook
  • Start a container or patio garden, if allowed
  • Invent a tradition that belongs entirely to you

CURATE A MEMORY WALL
Give your favorite moments somewhere to live. Photos, postcards, children’s artwork, concert tickets, travel memories, or handcrafted pieces can turn one wall into a story that’s completely yours. Just use renter-friendly hanging methods where your lease requires them.


Your name may not be on the deed, but your life is happening here right now—and that’s reason enough to make the place wonderful. Fill it with comfort, personality, people, laughter, and memories. A rental can still be a very real home, so enjoy making it yours!