How to redecorate your rental (and still get your bond back)

If you’re amongst the one in three Aussie households that rent, you’ll know the challenges that come from trying to make a house feel like a home. You have to work with an existing floor plan, colour scheme and room layout, which means you have to get a little bit creative if you want to redecorate your space.

Here’s the good news: while you can’t necessarily channel Carrie Bradshaw and repaint the entire kitchen eggshell, there are plenty of ways to transform your temporary abode into a home that truly feels like your own. These tips will help you create a functional and stylish space — without needing to renovate or risk your bond.

Create separate zones with room dividers

Need a little extra space? As a renter, you can’t knock down walls, but you can create the illusion of new ones.

Room dividers are a great way to add a decorative twist to a room, while also allowing you to create a whole new floor plan in your rented home. The possibilities are endless: use room dividers to create separate spaces if the kids are sharing a bedroom, or section off a corner of your lounge with a shelf to make a cozy reading nook.

The great divide: With its organic silhouette, the Maya Rattan Room Divider is a versatile styling tool that looks fabulous indoors and outdoors.

Invest in functional pieces for your home

Over the past two years, our homes have needed to serve an endless number of uses, from entertainment hub to office space, guest room and play zone. While it’s not possible to extend the rooms in a rental, it is possible to make the most of the space you have with functional furniture.

Choose furniture pieces that have a wide range of uses, particularly if you’re working with a smaller space. Think a sofa bed that can double as a lounge and a guest space, a desk that can be a workstation and a side table, or a dining table that can be extended when you have friends over.

Heavenly happiness: The aptly-named Happy 2-Seat Recliner Sofa Bed is the king of functional style. This versatile sofa can be used as an armchair, a recliner, a chaise lounge, or a comfy Queen bed.

Maximise your storage space

Clever storage options can be a lifesaver when it comes to cleaning up the clutter — especially if your rental doesn’t come with a built-in wardrobe or ample shelving. The key here is to select multi-purpose pieces that serve different storage needs, from concealing knick-knacks to displaying your favourite keepsakes.

Opt for a TV unit with added cabinets and drawers, or slimline shelving that can be used as a room divider and storage solution. The best part is that these pieces can move with you, so you don’t need to compromise on cupboards when looking for a new rental.

No shortage of storage: With its striking timber design and abundance of drawers, cupboards and open shelves, the handcrafted Hunter Cabinet is a showstopping storage solution for any space.

Reinvigorate your home

When you feel like a change of scenery, painting the walls or changing your ceiling is usually the way to go. However, that’s not always an option when you’re renting. Don’t worry — this doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the same colour scheme for your entire tenancy. It just means you just have to think outside the box when it comes to sprucing up your space.

Adjustable and removable home decor is the perfect way to breathe new life into a room, without having to get the tradies in. Add a pop of colour with funky sofa cushions or a new rug, hang artwork on the walls, or liven up the place with some greenery. All of these little touches work together to make a huge difference to the overall look and feel of your rental — plus, you can easily switch things out with the seasons or as new trends come along.

All rugged up: Brighten up any room with the Modern Pixel Rust Rug. With its bold and contemporary design, this rug is a timeless statement of style.

Buy now, think forever

As any renter knows all too well, your home will change in colour and size when you move. Because of this, it’s a good idea to ensure that you invest in furniture that can stay with you and adapt to a variety of spaces and floor plans.

Avoid buying configurations or textures that suit one specific space, such as that large chaise sofa that fits in one living room. Instead, focus on materials and styles that move between homes harmoniously — for example, a sofa and an armchair that offer up multiple seating options while also being flexible to different spaces.

A match made in Haven: The Haven Corner Sofa is as gorgeous as it is nimble. With its adaptable modular design, this lounge works with your lifestyle and floor plan, no matter where you move.

Ready to redecorate your rental? Shop our favourite picks below.