Short-term style:

It’s possible to make a rental home your own and still get your bond back.

How to decorate a rental and still get your bond back

Let’s get one thing straight from the top: you don’t have to own your own home to set up a cosy space that reflects your taste. There’s plenty of decorating that can be done as a renter (as long as it doesn’t involve dramatic structural change). The key is to make sure your adjustments are reversible, so you can return the place to its original state when it’s time to get your bond back. ...................

Having said that, not all landlords rule with an iron fist. Some will be open to a little sprucing up, like a fresh coat of paint or a garden overhaul. It’s important to be honest from the get-go and ask for permission before putting paintbrush to wall (or spade to dirt, as it were). Truthfully, when it comes to the look and value of the property, you may actually be doing them a favour in the long run. ...... .............

If you’re stuck with a less-than-ideal palette in your home and a DIY paint job is off the cards, well, friend, it’s time to start zhuzhing. Let your furniture and homewares bring some personality to the space, adding colour, pattern and texture in a fun and engaging way. A mountain of vibrant cushions can brighten up a room like nothing else; same goes for a jazzy tablecloth, doona cover, or some carefully chosen artwork. ...................

When it comes to home decorating, don’t forget to look down – the floor has a huge effect on the vibe of a room, as well. Manky, musty carpets with years’ worth of renter stains can be covered with strategically placed rugs (shaggy rugs; Persian rugs; bright, poppy geometric rugs – whichever style you please). They can even be layered for a playful take that covers more floor space. If you’re feeling motivated and likely to stick around for a while, there are other temporary flooring options available, too, like click-together wood panelling and vinyl tile decals. Open-plan living isn’t always the most practical option. If you need to carve out a bedroom in a studio apartment, or a cosy little reading nook, a room divider should do the trick. Choose from floor-to-ceiling folding types, eye-catching curtains, or even a narrow shelving unit. As a bonus, you could have somewhere else to display knick-knacks and other decorative bits and bobs. ...................

Here’s something you might not have considered: fixtures like drawer handles and showerheads can usually be unscrewed and replaced. The same goes for light shades that don’t strike your fancy – carefully detach them and whack on a shade that will bring you daily joy, instead. Just don’t throw anything you remove away, as you’ll need to pop it back at the end of your lease. ...................

Speaking of swapping out daggy fittings – if windows are the eyes to your home, bad curtains are the clumpy mascara and OTT eye shadow applied all the way up to the eyebrows. It’s easy to pick up a set you love and pop them up using existing curtain rods. And if a rod isn't already installed, you could grab a spring-loaded, temporary version from your local hardware store. (This also works for icky shower curtains!) ...................

Plants and flowers give an instant lift to any space, so add them to your kitchen, bathroom and living room, liberally. Pop hooks over doors and windows for hanging greenery at different levels; cluster cute planters together; build your very own balcony garden; grow potted herbs on your windowsill. There’ll be a bit of responsibility and care required to keep them thriving, but the pay-off is a warm, vibrant atmosphere and cleaner air – plus, you get to take them with you when you leave.