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You are generally not allowed to do much major interior redecorating when you rent an apartment. If you are renting a home, there may still be restrictions but you will probably have a bit more leniency in what you want to do, depending on the personality and preferences of the homeowner. Landlords who do not want to see major modifications done to their property may place strict restrictions. Some homeowners prefer a renter who will fix up the interior of the home. After all, the repairs and upgrades will enhance the home's value. The latter type of owner may allow the renter a lot of freedom in their decorating options.

As a Renter, How Much is Too Much?

If you are renting a home, think about your budget before doing anything. Since the rental home is not your property, how much money are you willing to spend for someone else's benefit?

Some homeowners may allow the renter to make minor decorating changes such as changing the drapes or blinds, hanging pictures or painting the walls. Extensive decorating work like putting in new carpet, installing more windows or taking down walls might not be considered acceptable by some landlords. Some landlords might approve of this type of extensive work so long as the work is to be done by a a licensed contractor. If you seriously consider this, however, why on earth should you spend a lot of money and time in making major improvements to a home that you do not own when you receive no tax or other benefit? You are better off compromising your tastes with minor interior decorations and improvements and holding onto your hard-earned cash so that it will collect some interest and can be used as a down payment for your own property.

Before Redecorating, Check with the Homeowner

Read and understand your rental agreement before investing anything in interior decorating. There may be specific prohibitions about painting or other activities in the contract. It is unlikely that the lease will spell out each and every possible type of interior decor activity, so check with the homeowner before making modifications to the rental house. It is a good idea to obtain a written statement from the homeowner that sets forth the landlord's approval of your modifications.

If It Is Unclear What You Can Do, Don't Do It

As a renter, if you're not sure whether you can perform a specific decorating activity and you are unable to reach the property owner, it's best to not make any changes. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run, especially if the landowner asks you to undo the changes.

Some Easy Decorating Tips

Regardless of whether you are renting a home from a landlord who permits a lot of changes or is very restrictive, there are some quick things that you can do to upgrade the home decor. Best yet, you can keep these improvements and take them to your next home (preferably, the one you buy) instead of spending money on someone else's property that will not benefit you in the long haul.

RUGS - If the flooring in the rental home is stained or just plain ugly, cover it up with throw rugs or area rugs.

ART AND PLANTS - If the wall color is hideous and you're not allowed to repaint or change the wallpaper, hide it with some nice artwork. Large, leafy houseplants like Ficus trees add a touch of class to a home and can cover otherwise ugly spaces.

DECORATIVE FURNISHINGS - Furniture can change the look of a rental home. An affordable option is a futon. Mix and match your furnishings with futon covers, available in a variety of colors and patterns that can change the look of a room. Spice your futons up with some colorful throw pillows and the room will look better. If your rental home has tiny little rooms and you are not allowed to knock out walls, futons are practical and decorative furniture options. Use them as a couch or chair by day and a bed at night.

LIGHTING - The right lamps can create a sense of ambiance and draw the eye toward art or other features in the room instead of the defects. Tree lamps or canister lamps can be used to direct light. Just plug them in and don't worry about having to change the light fixtures or having to install dimmer switches.