Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Lana Hawkins, a writer at smoothdecorator.com.

You’ve finally found a perfect Rental to settle down, but there’s only one problem – it doesn’t really feel like home. Rentals typically feature a universal, classic design in order to appeal to a great number of people. Now that you’ve finally moved in, you can give it your personal touch and decorate it according to your taste. With these 2018 renovation trends and ideas, you’ll be able to create a more personalised look and authentic ambience and make your rental finally feel like home.

Create warmth with neutrals

Img: Pinterest.com

Since rentals typically feature a Neutral colour palette of whites, off-whites and beiges, you can use this to your advantage and introduce other warm, neutral tones to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. In 2018, sage will be the new neutral, with its soft muted green nature with grey undertones. Wood and caramel browns and pastels, such as olive, soft mustard and jade, will also be stars among neutral shades, so you can find different ways to implement them. From furniture pieces to accent details, these hues will create an inviting, homey ambience in your rental. You can even ask your landlord to transform one wall into an accent detail and paint it in another colour.

Surprise with bold colours

Img: apartmenttherapy.com

Deep, bold shades will also dominate the design scene in 2018, bringing an element of surprise to stylish homes. In your rental, you can use jewel tones, black, burnt orange hue and intense shades of blue and green to add a pop of colour to your space. Since your rental probably has a simple, neutral design, this will break up the monotony and create a playful look. You can use bold hues for focal points and accent details and create a perfect contrast against a neutral backdrop.

Spice up the lighting

Img: Pexels.com

By paying more attention to lighting in your rental, you’ll be able to elevate its décor and create a completely different ambience. Namely, by using LED bulbs, you’ll fill your rental with a bright, natural-looking light that will make your space feel more open and pleasant. In addition, installing LED lighting is a great way to cut your utility expenses and save some money. When it comes to the very design of your lighting fixtures, you can experiment with different styles. For example, if you’re a fan of a minimalist, Scandinavian look, you can go with track lights or bare bulbs. For a more glamorous look, you can introduce a lovely chandelier that can work as an enticing décor statement. However, if you’re not allowed to change the fixtures, you can simply introduce several intricately designed lamps to create a more authentic visual appeal.  

Use floors as a statement

Img: Pinterest.com

The year 2018 has shifted its focus from the walls to the floors, using them as unexpected décor statement. However, since changing the floor design in a rented house or an apartment isn’t really possible, you can accentuate your floors in another way. You can simply use area rugs to embellish your floors with lovely patterns. You can find a range of stunning floor rugs online that will fit the general style of your rental. You may even come across some discounts and special offers, so keep your eyes peeled. In addition, not only will you accentuate the floors, but you’ll also create a layered look and a cosy ambience using enticing area rugs.

Don’t forget plants

Img: Pexels.com

Greenery always makes a home brighter, airier and more open by introducing the soothing natural energy and increasing the indoor air quality. When it comes to plants, there are several notable trends for 2018. Namely, this year accentuates the beauty of patterned plants that can add to the authenticity of your rental. In addition, the vibrant green of houseplants will not only energise your space but also introduce the feeling of soothing harmony. If you don’t have a lot of space, consider using hanging planters of vertical gardens. Finally, succulent plants will see a decrease in popularity in 2018 in favour of colourful, leafy plants. Nonetheless, you can combine them with other plant species and create an ambience of diversity.

Add floral prints

Img: Pinterest.com

Floral prints have made their way back to the design scene, featuring bold patterns in contrasting colours. The best thing about this trend is that you don’t have to make any permanent or major changes in your rental. You can just use floral prints for pillowcases, throw blankets, curtains and bedsheets and create a playful atmosphere. However, you shouldn’t go overboard with this design, but keep it simple and balance it with a subtle, neutral backdrop. This way, your floral patterns will stand out in a stylish, enchanting way.

With these inspiring renovation and design trends, you’ll be able to give your rental a personal touch and finally make it feel yours.

The post Give Your Rental an Uplift – 2018 Renovation Trends appeared first on The Zumper Blog.