How to Furnish Your Rental Unit For a One-Year Stay

So you want to decorate your rental space and make it feel more, well, you – but your contract strictly states that you can’t paint or swap out any appliances. What do you do?

In this blog post, we share 5 easy decorating ideas that you can use to furnish your rental unit for a short one-year stay. Don’t worry, these won’t get you in trouble with your landlord!  

#1: Swap out the curtains

One easy fix that has a HUGE impact on your space? Swapping out your curtains.

A pair of new curtains can change the entire look and feel of your rental apartment, and you have many affordable options to choose from at IKEA.

Just make sure you store your landlord’s existing curtains properly, so that you can swap them out again at the end of your lease!

#2: Hang artwork using Command strips

You can’t do any drilling, but that doesn’t mean your walls have to go empty – simply use Command strips (which come off cleanly) to hang artwork on the walls.

There are plenty of home decor stores that sell prints and posters (IKEA and Typo being two of them), but if you want to get something that’s a little less mainstream, we suggest heading to Etsy, where there’s a large range of artwork by independent creators.

If you’re purchasing a framed print (instead of just a print), make sure you check the weight of the entire item. If the item is too heavy, you might not be able to hang it using a Command hook.

#3: Add a rug

Like curtains, adding a rug is an easy way of sprucing up your space, and injecting new life into it.

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If the rest of your apartment is neutral and understated, get something colourful to act as a focal piece. If the rest of your apartment already has a lot going on, then a neutral-looking rug can complement these other elements, and pull the entire space together.

You can find a wide assortment of rugs at IKEA, and there are several shops selling rugs at Arab Street.

#4: Use decorative ladders as display shelves

Can’t put up shelves in your apartment, but still want to display your trinkets and knick knacks?

Get a standalone ladder shelf or bookcase, and you’re all set:

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These can be found at most furniture stores, including IKEA and Hipvan.

#5: Use wall decals

Wall decals are a renter’s best friend. These are basically removable wallpaper that you stick onto your wall (and peel off once you’re done with them), and you may purchase them from:

• IKEA
• Lazada
• Hipvan
• Etsy

And other similar stores.

There are patterned wall decals:

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Floral wall decals:

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And even text wall decals:

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Go ahead and knock yourself out!

Which of these decorating methods are you currently using to spruce up your rental space? Voice your thoughts in our comments section or on our Facebook community page.

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