Make your rental feel like a home

I've been there. After seven years of renting in San Diego and changing apartments four times, I know the struggle all too well. Each place was beautifully minimalistic—stunning in its own way—but after a while, the blank walls and neutral tones started to feel, well, boring.

What I craved, like many renters, was personality. Something bold that made the space feel uniquely mine. However, renting comes with its own rules and limitations, and figuring out how to make a space feel like home without making permanent changes can be tricky.

Luckily, after moving through four different apartments, I've discovered you don't need a significant overhaul to turn a drab rental into a fab, vibrant home. The secret? Bold home décor details and artistic wall art. Just one carefully curated collection can transform the entire feel of your space, helping you inject your personality into every corner.

Let's dive into how you can go from renting a plain white box to living in a space that reflects your style and feels like home.

 

Start with a bold collection that speaks to you.

When renting, you may be limited in how much you can change. You can't repaint the walls, and installing anything permanent is usually out of the question. But that's where bold home décor details come in. One carefully chosen collection of décor can completely shift the atmosphere of your apartment, making it feel unique and intentional. Be aware of the power of one cohesive collection. Bold color pillows, eye-catching clocks, or artistic wall art, the right pieces gave my minimalistic apartments much-needed character. I discovered that by focusing on a few statement pieces, I didn't have to change everything in the apartment—I just had to curate the right accents to make the space my own.

A collection of artistic wall art, paired with vibrant, bold color pillows and striking wall clocks, can turn even the most understated room into a focal point. Think of it as your signature—a way to tell your story through your décor choices.

Embrace color to inject personality.

My rentals were neutral: beige or white walls, gray carpets, and white cabinets. While this neutral palette can feel calm and sophisticated, it often lacks warmth and vibrancy. That's where color comes into play.

I remember my first apartment in San Diego. It was gorgeous—a wall of windows, lots of natural light, but it felt sterile. I knew I had to incorporate some bold, colorful pieces to make it feel like home. I brought in a few pops of color:

• A bright accent rug
• Orange throw pillows
• A bold collection of small wall art pieces featuring abstract prints.

Suddenly, my neutral apartment wasn't so lifeless anymore.

You don't have to overwhelm your apartment with color to make it stand out. Start with bold accents (pillows, rugs, and artistic wall art) and layer them to create harmony in the room. Don't be afraid to mix bold colors with neutrals, either. Bold décor loves a neutral backdrop to shine against. 

Let artistic wall art do the heavy lifting.

I've always been a fan of artistic wall art. But when you're renting, hanging art can feel like a commitment. After all, you don't want to damage the walls, and creating an entire gallery wall can seem daunting.

But let me tell you—artistic wall art is the secret weapon every renter needs. Art can instantly change a room's mood, whether you're a fan of bold abstracts or minimalist line drawings. And no, you don't have to cover every inch of wall space. Sometimes, one large, bold piece of art is all you need to create a focal point.

I placed a giant piece of abstract art above my couch in my last San Diego apartment. It featured deep blues and bright oranges that tied in with my pillows and the rug. Every time I walked into the living room, that art piece caught my eye, making the entire room feel alive.

The best part? When I moved to my next apartment, I brought the art with me, and it transformed my new space just as beautifully.

You don't need to use nails if you're worried about damaging walls. Command strips and other damage-free hanging solutions are your best friend. You can easily switch up your art and take it with you when you move—perfect for renters like us who love a little flexibility. 

Don't forget the details: clocks, lighting, and more.

Its little details often make the most significant impact. Adding bold wall clocks, unique lighting fixtures, and small décor accents could change the entire feel of the room. I've always been a fan of clocks, especially bold color wall clocks. They're both functional and artistic and can become a statement piece in their own right. In one apartment, I had a striking orange wall clock without numbers that doubled as wall art. Every time someone came over, they commented on it—it was one of those pieces that added instant character to the room.

And, of course, pay attention to the small things. Vases, quirky candle holders, sculptures; these little décor details, when thoughtfully chosen, can tie your entire space together.

In conclusion, make your rental feel like a home.

Living in a rental doesn't mean you have to compromise on style or personality. Even if you're dealing with bland walls, neutral floors, or restrictions on what you can change, bold home décor details, artistic wall art, and thoughtful accents can transform any space.

Take it from someone who's moved through many apartments—each time; I brought the lessons I learned about curating bold, beautiful spaces. And every time, I made my new apartment feel like home by adding pieces that reflected my personality, style, and love for color. So, don't be afraid to go bold. Whether it's a bold collection of wall art, colorful pillows, or a statement clock, one well-chosen piece can change the entire feel of your space, giving it the personality and warmth you crave.

After all, your apartment may not be yours forever—but your style? That's something that will stick with you wherever you go.