Spruce up your rental ahead of 2025 to keep your living space looking chic. Nothing makes a home feel brand new than a few updates that elevate the room’s aesthetics and create a spacious feel. However, rentals aren’t exactly known for adopting the latest trends, which can leave your home feeling stale and uninteresting if you’re a renter. On top of that, finding rental-friendly additions or changes can be tricky, especially when your landlord has strict policies on renovations. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to languish in faded curtains and outdated tech. There are lots of tenant-friendly designs coming in 2025 that can help you create a relaxing space, and here they are:
Interior Design Trends
● Add Discreet Tech
Enhance your living space without losing your security deposit by buying modern smart home devices. While your landlord might draw the line at installing a hidden TV in your ceiling, you can easily opt for smart plugs that let you control your devices remotely or on schedule. You can find multiple smart control hubs online that cost less than $20 and allow you to activate your TV, media player, or air conditioner. If you really want to get extra, pair it with smart speaker devices like Amazon or Google Home that give you voice command options. That way you don’t have to leave your bedroom to access the control hub in the living room when you’re in the middle of something.
● Opt for Bold Colors
Leave minimalist looks behind in 2024 and opt for bold saturated colors in your decor. After enduring so many years of bland nudes and off-whites, current design trends are now tilting towards incorporating more fun colors like blue, greens, and other earthy tones. At the very least, adding a few throw pillows will give your home a splash of fun that makes it more inviting and welcoming. On the other hand, if you have a bigger budget you can redecorate your entire room with a single hue that emphasizes your personal taste.
● Introduce Sustainable Living
Look out for the environment by shopping for eco-friendly products. 2025 is certainly a year where more people lean towards creating spaces that save the planet, and your rental shouldn’t get left out. Try incorporating reusable, non-toxic materials like bamboo or recycled plastics, in your designs for a more environmentally-friendly touch.
Cost-Effective Ways to Personalize Your Space
● Choosing Space-Saving Furniture
Maximize your rental space by stocking up on multi-functional pieces that make your rooms more efficient. Space is always an issue in rentals. It’s important to choose pieces that can double as a storage unit or a dining table that folds into an office desk. Aside from freeing up more floor space, these types of furniture are also more cost-effective in the long run.
● Rental-Friendly Modifications
Avoid permanent changes by going for rental-friendly modifications that don’t alter your rental. For example, if your paint is starting to chip instead of repainting the house, try using a peel-and-stick wallpaper. Since they come in various designs, colors, and patterns, you’re bound to find one that fits your decor. You can also hang up art and photos with adhesive strips that leave no holes in the wall, or hang up string lights. However, Bay Property Management Group Philadelphia advises tenants to communicate any changes they plan to make with their landlords.
● DIY Home Decor
Cut your remodeling bills by opting for simple DIY home decor solutions that reflect your style. If you can’t afford a Van Gogh original, create your own art with pencil, paint, or even use AI as a guide and frame it. Create a handmade quilt or custom pillows for your bedroom and living room, making use of your knitting or sewing skills. Additionally, you don’t have to limit your DIY skills to simple decorative elements, you can also opt for functional projects by putting together a custom shelf.
How to Respectfully Request Changes in Your Rental
● Determine What Changes Are Allowed
Be upfront about the changes you want to make in your rental. The last thing you want is a misunderstanding with your property owner that prompts a deduction from your security deposit when a simple conversation would have helped you avoid it. Instead of assuming that your landlord would be grateful for you taking it on yourself to repaint the house, always ask them.
While a fresh coat of paint after a long-term tenant can instantly lift a rental’s ambiance, some property owners prefer to keep a neutral palette or are particular about the type of paint they use. Thus, it would be best to consult your rental agreement to determine what changes you are allowed to make or ask your landlord directly.
● Establishing a Positive Landlord-Tenant Relationship
Build a positive relationship with your landlord to make it easier to request changes in your rental. Aside from ensuring you don’t make costly mistakes that require deductions from your security deposit, being on good terms with your property owner increases their likelihood of considering your request. Open communication also makes them more likely to offer a hand when you need it. For instance, they could share great discounts and offers on furniture or tech equipment from their suppliers. They could also offer to help you move out and store old furniture that’s cluttering your space to make room for your trendier home additions.
Conclusion
Make your home as relaxing as possible without getting in trouble with your landlord by adopting smart interior design trends. For instance, you can improve your rental’s ambiance and comfort by introducing discreet smart home technology like hidden speakers and voice-controlled lights. Combining this with bold-colored and eco-friendly furniture would also go a long way in making your rental feel like it belongs in 2025.
If you are trying to cut costs, opt for space-saving furniture that has dual functionality. You can also try to make your own decor if you’re the handy type. Double-check with your landlord before making any changes to ensure you’re not breaking any rules in your lease.
