Just because you’re not a homeowner, this doesn’t mean you can’t engage with a spot of creative DIY.

From DIY jobs that can be easily undone, or standalone projects you can take with you when you go, these creative and cozy-inducing jobs won’t affect your deposit. 

Generation Rent

There are more people renting than ever, thanks to a significant increase in the cost of housing. As a result of this, people are signing for longer-term contract rentals than ever before.

It might even be that you are starting a family or coupling up in a rented property. It’s therefore important that you make your rental feel like home, even if it’s not got your name on the deeds.

However, be aware that some DIY projects may require permission from the landlord.

Painting the walls (with permission)

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a house a home is to redecorate. For this DIY job you’ll have to check with your landlord, but provided you are not getting too creative with your color choices, most landlords will be fine with this.

If anything, you’re doing them a favor. They may even pay for the paint. For a cozy feel, choose warm and neutral colors, such as sand, beige, or taupe.

Earthy reds can be very comfortable but don’t go too dark as it can feel oppressive. As opposed to those big renovation jobs for homeowners, this is just a small job that will make your rental feel more homely.

DIY draught excluder

This is arguably more of a craft than a DIY project, but an excellent one nonetheless. Making your own draught excluder is a great way to make a space warmer and more cozy, without taking any nails to the door.

You’ll need a sizeable piece of old fabric, ideally something hard-wearing such as cord, denim, heavy-duty upholstery fabric, or perhaps an old curtain.

Then you’ll need a filling such as the inside of an old duvet or pillow, or perhaps some old clothes. You can also use dried beans or rice in an old pair of tights.

Then, follow a simple guide to create your own draught excluder.

Building or up-cycling a bookcase

It’s the little things that make a house a home, like books, plants, and photos. But these things need shelves to go on. For simple DIY jobs, rather than putting holes in the wall to install shelves, we recommend you make a standalone bookcase.

As well as avoiding damage to a property you don’t own, it also means you can take your shelves with you when you leave.

When it comes to bookcases you have a few options; flat-pack, vintage, or building from scratch. Making your own bookshelf with timber – or better still – reclaimed timber, is a labour of love.

But it will result in a longer-lasting and better-looking piece of furniture. If you don’t feel confident in your woodwork skills, consider buying a vintage book case and up-cycling it with a lick of paint or some decoupage.

DIY room separator

One of the problems with rented accommodation is that you can’t smash down or put up walls to make the living space work for your family. You may need a room to serve two purposes; perhaps you have children sharing, or you need to section off an area for a home office.

In this case, a room separator can be a simple remedy. This is a medium-level DIY project that involves some woodworking knowledge. However, there are many ways a separator can be built, so you can really let your DIY ideas come to life.

For example, you could build a hinged separator, which can offer versatility, or go for a flat panel separator, which allows for a lovely flat surface for adding your artwork. If you want to get really creative, you could build a larger, modular unit that incorporates shelves, a desk, or a display cabinet.

These DIY jobs vary in difficulty, but all allow for a certain degree of creativity. Any one of these DIY projects will help make a rental space feel more like home. Most importantly, they are all landlord-friendly additions that don’t involve making alterations to the fabric of the property. 

Landlord-Friendly DIY Jobs: Creative Ways to Make Your Rental Feel Like Home

Renting a home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice creativity or comfort. With thoughtful DIY projects like painting (with permission), upcycling furniture, or crafting draught excluders, you can transform your space into a cozy and personalized haven.

These landlord-friendly ideas allow you to express your style and make a rental feel like home—without risking your deposit.