The entryway to any home serves as a warm, welcoming introduction. It shows off your taste and character, greeting guests and inhabitants alike. Decorating the entryway in your home gives you a fantastic chance to let people know what you’re about.
However, when it comes to decorating a house that you’re renting, it can be a minefield of dos and don’ts. Your lease agreement is likely filled with various clauses telling you what you can’t do to the walls, floors, and fixtures in your home.
Fortunately, there are countless renter-friendly methods to decorate your home’s entryway that are almost entirely reversible. With the following handy tips, you can enjoy your own personalized entryway until your lease terminates, when you put everything back again with ease.
1. Speak to Your Landlord
The very first thing you need to do is to contact your landlord and let them know what you want to do. It’s best to be specific here, so be prepared to explain how each change you want to make will either enhance what is already there or can be reversed when your lease ends.
Getting the go-ahead from your landlord is essential. If they’re not happy for you to make any changes, it typically isn’t worth going ahead as it could end up costing you your security deposit.
Fortunately, a lot of landlords will be more than happy to let you do your thing, as long as you respect the terms of the lease agreement and give them plenty of notice.
2. Brighten Up With a Fresh Coat of Paint
With the green light from your landlord, it’s time to get to work. While many lease agreements won’t allow you to paint the walls, if you get written permission from your landlord, you’ll be good to go. Normally, you’ll be limited to subtle, pastel colors, rather than bold statements.
The good news is that even a fresh coat of white paint on walls and ceilings can transform a tired-looking entryway into a clean and welcoming space.
3. Add an Accent With Removable Wallpaper
While your color palette might be limited in terms of paint, removable wallpaper can be used to great effect to create an accent wall, add a splash of color, or a bold pattern. Modern peel-and-stick wallpaper is easy to apply and just as easy to remove. Do your research and find high-quality options that have been proven to not leave a sticky residue when removed. You can find peel-and-stick wallpapers in a huge array of colors and patterns, making it easy to choose one that lets you put your stamp on your entryway.
Alternatively, non-woven, paste-the-wall papers can also be used. The key here is to properly prepare the wall before you apply them, using a latex primer to coat the wall first, then a non-staining adhesive to hang the paper. Available in a wider array of textures and patterns, they give more choice and a higher-quality finish that can still be removed with ease when you move out.
4. Create a Warm Welcome With a New Floor
While it’s unlikely your landlord will allow you to change the flooring outright, you can still do plenty of things to spruce up the ground beneath your feet. The most simple option is to buy a new doormat to greet guests as they enter your home.
However, for something a little more impactful, and if space allows, you might consider laying a hardwearing hemp or jute rug. You can find these in various shapes and sizes, with patterns to suit any style.
To totally transform a tired-looking floor with ease, look out for peel-and-stick carpet or vinyl floor tiles. With these, you can change the look of your entryway entirely, with patterns ranging from hardwood floor effects to colorful mosaic tiles. They’re easy to apply and remove, though they tend to be less durable than the real thing.
5. Change-Out the Fittings
Another great way to change the way your home looks is to swap out the fittings and hardware. Door handles are easily removed and switched for more attractive options that fit the rest of your decor. Light switch plates and electrical sockets can also be changed with relative ease.
It may seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference, especially if you’ve freshened up the floors and walls. Just remember to store the original fittings somewhere safe so you can switch them back when you leave.
6. Switch up the Lighting
Shedding a new type of light on your entryway is another great way to create a warmer welcome. Choose a new lampshade that fits your style, and think about adjusting the light temperature from cool white to warm yellow. Free-standing lamps and table lamps can be used in place of wall sconces to add a softer light if desired.
7. Incorporate Some Personal Touches
With a fresh canvas to work with, you can now start adding some personalized finishing touches. This is where you can let your creativity flow, choosing decor that reflects your character. The entryway of any home is a great place to hang paintings or photos for example.
While many lease agreements prohibit you from making holes in the wall, you can use adhesive strips or hooks instead of nails and screws for picture hanging. Even mirrors can be hung with heavy-duty, velcro-backed options.
Other decorative items, such as carvings, ornaments, or anything else you’re drawn to can be placed on existing shelves or furniture. Alternatively, you could add some of your own furniture if space allows, which in turn can also boost the storage space in your entryway.
8. Breathe New Life With House Plants
Finally, use houseplants to add splashes of color and life to your brand-new entryway. If you’re not exactly green-fingered, there are plenty of low-maintenance options to choose from, such as cacti, spider plants, snake plants, or aloe vera. You can also use the pots to make a statement.
