Living in a rental apartment is, for many people, a long-term reality rather than just a transitional phase. Despite this, there is often a feeling that we cannot truly live the space as our own. Contractual restrictions, respect for property ownership, and concerns about what will happen upon moving out frequently suppress the desire for personal expression. However, contemporary approaches to interior design prove that even a rental apartment can be transformed into a warm, functional, and truly personal home.
The key starting point is understanding that personalisation does not necessarily mean permanent alterations. It means making thoughtful decisions, adapting the space to your lifestyle, and creating an environment that supports your everyday life. A rental apartment can become a place of identity, comfort, and stability if we approach design and adaptation strategically.
The first step in personalisation is understanding the boundaries. In most rental agreements, all reversible changes are permitted—those that can be removed without leaving permanent traces when moving out. This is where the greatest freedom lies.
The fastest and most effective transformation can be achieved through textiles. Curtains, rugs, bedding, decorative cushions, and throws instantly add warmth, colour dynamics, and a sense of homeliness to a space. At the same time, they soften cold floor surfaces, improve acoustics, and create visual highlights.
Lighting is another exceptionally powerful tool. Most rental apartments are equipped with basic ceiling lighting that gives off a technical, often cold character. With floor lamps, table lamps, and ambient lighting, you can create various light zones: a corner for reading, relaxing, working, or social evenings. Light directly influences mood and quality of living, making it one of the most underestimated yet most impactful design decisions. Walls can also be personalised without drilling. Adhesive hooks, gallery rails, wall stickers, peel-and-stick wallpaper, or large leaning artworks allow for a visually rich space without permanent damage.
Movable furniture also plays an important role. Although the basic furnishings usually remain unchanged, they can be complemented with your own pieces that improve functionality: additional shelving, modular units, folding tables, and multifunctional stools.
Every rental apartment is a compromise—between what we would ideally like and what is available. Instead of focusing on limitations, it is far more effective to consider how we actually use the space and what our key needs are. If you work from home a great deal, creating a high-quality work corner is essential. Even in a smaller apartment, a well-positioned desk, appropriate lighting, and a few smart storage solutions can create a work environment clearly separated from the living area. If you often host friends, adapting the living space makes sense—additional generous seating, movable coffee tables, folding chairs, and, of course, thoughtful layout planning. If, on the other hand, tranquillity, reading, and retreat are your priorities, an armchair, a rug, and soft lighting can help create an intimate personal corner.
Special attention should also be given to storage. Rental apartments often suffer from a lack of storage space. Usability can be significantly improved with closed cabinets, under-bed storage, and well-thought-out organisation.
Scent and sound are also part of personalisation. With candles, natural fragrances, wood textures, plants, and fabrics, a space gains a sensory dimension. Plants are among the most universal design elements—they improve air quality, enhance the feeling of a living space, and soften architectural lines.
The rental agreement defines your rights and obligations, so it is important to understand it in the context of making changes to the space. The general rule is that everything you alter must be returned to its original condition upon moving out, unless a different agreement is explicitly made with the landlord.
A smart approach also involves open communication with the property owner. If you plan an improvement that increases the long-term value of the apartment—such as better lighting, a higher-quality kitchen tap, or an aesthetic upgrade of a specific surface—it is advisable to propose an agreement. In practice, landlords often support improvements if they are professionally executed and do not reduce the property’s value. Permanent interventions—painting walls in darker tones, extensive drilling, replacing flooring, or making changes to installations—generally require written consent from the landlord. A security deposit is not a tool for experimentation but a safeguard against actual damage. From an economic perspective, any investment in a rental apartment should always be evaluated through one question: does this improvement enhance my daily quality of living, and can I take it with me when I move out?
A rental apartment does not become a home because of ownership, but because of the relationship we establish with the space. Through functional and thoughtful decisions, it is possible to create, even in a rental, not merely a temporary dwelling, but a supportive and personal living environment.
For more information or consultation, contact us: Tel: 00386-40-626-131; Email: tajnistvo@bazarealestate.com.
