Think about comfort first

It’s all about creating “a sense of permanence and warmth,” says Katherine Ormerod, author of “Your Not Forever Home: Affordable, Elevated, Temporary Decor for Renters.” To do that, you first need to change the acoustic environment. “There’s nothing more depressing than a square box so empty you could hear a pin drop,” she says.

The most cost-effective solution is to decorate with fabric. Pillows, rugs, throws, curtains and upholstered furniture all help to absorb sound in a room while adding comfort and color. Most importantly, these items are portable and can be taken with you when moving – something to keep in mind throughout the process.

Carpets in particular are great for hiding (and protecting) unsightly floors.

Kate Watson-Smyth, interior design journalist and author of Home: The Way We Live Now, recommends buying the largest rug you can afford, ideally one that is suitable for outdoor use.

“Outdoor rugs have a low pile and are weather-resistant, meaning they are less forgiving of spills and stains and are ideal for preserving the floor and keeping your deposit,” she says.

These retail from around £50: Ikea sells a double-sided flat-woven rug for £35.

Next you will receive Lighting right

After acoustics, lighting has the biggest impact on the atmosphere of a home. Fortunately, a few small and inexpensive changes can make a big difference. “Make sure the bulbs are warm and energy efficient,” advises Watson-Smyth. It can also be beneficial to deliberately not light every corner.

“A dark area can make a room seem larger because you can’t see the edges,” she says. Table and floor lamps often create a more intimate effect than ceiling lights and can easily be moved between rentals.

If you’re struggling with some poorly placed outlets, there are other options. “These days, we’re blessed with innovations in portable, rechargeable lighting, and they’re a boon for renters.

“You can buy some super cheap on Amazon, but they only last one evening without charging. My favourites are from Pooky and cost from around £65,” says Ormerod.

Lampshades are relatively inexpensive to buy and can be easily replaced at home. “Buy plain ones and paint your own designs on them to create something that better suits your personal style – any acrylic paint will do,” says Watson-Smyth.

Embrace removable DIY

Although many landlords don’t allow painting the walls, you can add color and personality to your apartment with a few other simple DIY tricks.

Interior designer and founder of the home improvement and decorating business Our Curated Abode, Emma Jane Palin, suggests installing MDF radiator covers – many of which can be painted in your desired color.

“They’re a temporary way to add colour while also providing a surface for displaying personal items,” she says. They come in a range of shapes and sizes starting at around £30.

In each house she has rented, she has created a bulletin board made of self-adhesive cork tiles. “It’s an easy way to add interest to a room and you can change the tiles regularly. To remove the tiles, all you need is a hair dryer to peel them off,” she says.

Replacing fittings (e.g. knobs or handles) on furniture, built-in cupboards and doors can also make a big difference to the overall look and feel. Used fittings are available cheaply online or at markets.

Kitchens and bathrooms are some of the hardest areas to transform in rental properties, but temporary vinyl can go a long way even on a budget. These pattern-printed sheets or stickers have a peel-off adhesive backing and can be used to cover any surface and removed at the end of your lease.

Ormerod recommends B&Q and Vinyl Depot UK for cheap and beautiful options – prices start at around £4 per metre.

“For kitchen surfaces, ‘marble’ countertop vinyl is great. I also wrapped my appliances in colored vinyl and spruced up my downstairs bathroom by installing 420 sticker tiles,” she says. For walls, self-adhesive wallpaper offers a similar, inexpensive solution.

Try alternative art

“I love museum shops. I have a framed tea towel by David Shrigley and a silk scarf by Grayson Perry, both of which cost a fraction of the prints and sculptures,” says Watson-Smyth. “You can also buy sets of postcards and frame them to create a small gallery wall, or create a personal gallery wall by framing old cinema tickets or menus from favourite places alongside photographs and posters.”

At flea markets or second-hand websites, a vintage sketchbook can be a goldmine. “It contains several pages of sketches in various stages. Frame each one and hang it on the wall,” recommends Anna Standish, interior designer and founder of furniture maker Bespoke and Found. Vintage coffee table books can be used in the same way.

If your landlord doesn’t allow holes in the walls, use Command Strips for lighter artwork (£9 gets you enough to hang five pictures) or simply lean larger pieces against the wall or furniture.

A piece of fabric on the wall is also a much cheaper way to decorate a large empty space than a piece of art. “I make large-scale tapestries out of woven blankets, stretched over frames I make out of wood from B&Q for around £20,” says Ormerod.

Browse second-hand offers

Buying second-hand pieces often results in cheaper prices and a more distinctive look.

It takes patience to find affordable items that you like. “I’m a thrift store stalker and go in and out at least three times most days,” says Ormerod.

There are a few things to keep in mind when haggling at flea markets or car boot sales. Standish recommends: “Bulk purchases from one seller and ask if they can offer you multiple items for one price. Alternatively, you can offer cash and sometimes you can get up to 10% off.”

When searching online on resale sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, it’s important to be precise with your search terms. “If you want six chairs, say so, otherwise you’ll have to scroll past sets of four, eight and 10 chairs. Activate the ‘used’ filter, otherwise you’ll be inundated with pages full of new ‘vintage-style’ stuff,” says Watson-Smyth.