Many landlords are happy for their tenants to make changes to their property and, at the very least, most will at least be open to hearing your suggestions so it’s always worth getting in touch. If you are updating, repairing, or neutralising a home currently covered in, for example, an 80s floral catastrophe, then remember to point out that your work will add value. It isn’t unheard of for landlords to allow those signing up for one-year plus contracts to re-tile a bathroom or take carpets up and sand floorboards. Landlords more commonly allow residents to paint walls, often on the premise that they will be returned to a neutral colour upon moving out. Some tenants experience very rigid rules about painting, or in fact making any marks on the walls at all. While this can be intensely frustrating for the tenant, there are still ways to introduce colour and personality.
If your landlord has given permission for you to paint your space, try painting a small area. A door, door frame, feature wall or fireplace in a bright accent colour would make a vivid statement in a room, but wouldn’t take long to repaint when it comes time to move out. However, if a request to repaint it refused, do not despair. There are still lots of ways to add personality to your living space.
Inject some layers of colour and texture by painting or papering one or two tall wooden panels to stand behind a kitchen table or sofa, or a lean-in an entry way. A couple of boards of bright modern floral wallpaper will enliven a white space, or go for moodier tones and paint them a favourite shade of a darker colour to add contrast. Opt for tall, slim boards that will reach high enough on the wall to make a statement (any hardware shop will be able to cut something suitable for you). These boards are easily re-painted or papered, perfect to satisfy those with ever changing design whims.
Similarly, a large framed art print looks chic standing against the bottom of a wall, layered with a smaller framed print and a large potted plant. You could use wooden wine boxes to add height and extra surface space for other decorative objects in the tableau. Picture hanging strips are surprisingly strong and enable art to be hung on a wall without leaving a trace, and there is an ever-expanding range of removable wallpaper on the market.
For tenants in furnished properties with furniture so boring or ugly that it makes them want to weep, some landlords may be open to having the offending items returned to them in order for tenants to replace it with something of their choosing.
Introduce colour quickly and cheaply in smaller pieces of furniture, such as a sanding and painting a freestanding wooden bookshelf, coffee table, or kitchen chair. A deep grey would feel grounding and cool, while a surprise pop of neon can lift a whole room. Pick up the accent colours in the lampshades, curtains, cushions, and photo frames.
You don’t need to ask permission to take down curtains, blinds and lampshades and carefully store them (use air tight boxes and include mothballs). Putting your own up will instantly make your home feel like your own, and a well placed blanket and cushion on an ugly sofa can do wonders.
The most important thing to remember is that while renting your home can limit your decoration plans there is no reason that it should limit your creativity.
Introducing Valspar paint
Valspar can create as many colours as the eye can see – that’s 2.2 million shades, so if your heart is set on a colour, Valspar can match it. What’s more you can save your colour preferences on Valspar’s system, so whether it’s the ideal shade for Laura’s bathroom, or dad’s study, you’ll remember for future reference.
Available exclusively at B&Q, Valspar’s Premium paints feature a super scrub formula so paint won’t fade or chip off when cleaned and it comes in a range of wide range of high quality interior and exterior paints in a variety of finishes. Visit valsparpaint.co.uk to see how you can start colouring outside the lines, or see the range at B&Q.
