Lifestyle

8 Effortless Tips to Turn Your Shared Rental into a Snug Haven

Byforwomenmagazine January 29, 2026January 31, 2026

Green living room Style for Rent scaled 1

Decorating Your Rental

Renting a shared space doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your personal style. With these simple guidelines, you can create an uplifting and cozy home that reflects your unique taste, even with roommates. Many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to decorating their rental homes. For some, it’s their first chance to express their inner stylist, and it can be challenging to know where to start.

General Rules for Decorating a Rented Property

Drilling Holes

Always check with your landlord before making holes in the wall. Drilling can often go wrong, and it’s not always the best design decision, regardless of the wall type—brick, plaster, or wood. If your landlord isn’t happy with drilling, consider alternatives like adhesive hooks and picture-hanging systems that use the cornice between the ceiling and the wall. Older homes often have picture railings that can be useful.

Painting Walls

Don’t paint the walls without checking with your landlord. They usually want to know your plans, especially if you’re using a color other than white. Sometimes, a paint job can add value to the property, so always discuss this option with your landlord. If painting isn’t an option, consider wallpaper or wall decals as alternatives.

Caring for the Garden

Many landlords include garden maintenance in the lease agreement. Neglecting the garden or letting it become overgrown with weeds won’t impress your landlord. If you have a garden, take care of it and improve it. Planting flowers or growing your own produce can make your rental feel more homely.

Changing Fixtures

Don’t throw away old fixtures. It’s okay to take down ugly blinds or outdated light fittings, but keep them in a safe place and reinstall them when you move out. Decorate with curtains and pendant lights of your choice. You can always take these with you when you leave, and they can significantly enhance your home’s style while you live there.

Merging Styles

There are plenty of opportunities in a shared house where you and your roommates can add style and character. It’s not just about the big things like choosing a sofa or painting the walls. Interesting corners and structural surfaces offer plenty of potential to create vignettes that reflect the personalities within the house. These thoughtful final touches can make the difference between a place that feels transient and a home that feels permanent and well-loved.

Shopping Together

There will, of course, be some design dilemmas. The number one dilemma is when a roommate brings something into the shared space that doesn’t gel with everyone else. The solution is to be honest. Try to shop together. Picking something out collectively often saves the awkward vetoing of a piece that just one roommate has chosen.

Managing Conflicting Styles

It can be a problem when roommates have completely conflicting styles. For example, merging gothic and shabby chic would be a struggle for even the most experienced interior designer. In this situation, stick to neutral basics for the big things like couches, rugs, and tables, and build character with non-permanent decor like pottery, artwork, and cushions.

Breaking Style Rules

Keep in mind that it’s okay to break the rules when merging styles. There’s something special about a space where the decorators have used things they love rather than strictly following trends.