Renting a home poses some unique challenges when it comes to decorating. Many leases restrict the types of changes that you can make to the property, such as painting, limiting your exterior and interior decorating options. Even if the lease doesn’t impose a bunch of limitations, as renters you probably don’t want to invest much money in the improvement of a home that you do not own. So what do you do to make the home feel like yours without breaking the bank or your conditions of the lease? We have the answers.

Lloyd Flanders Contempo Sectional

Work with What You Have

Look at the back yard as it is presented to you. What color is the house? What color is the deck? What landscaping has already been done? Instead of wishing that you could change them, incorporate these factors into the design of the patio you want. If the house is a warm tan hue, make sure that you use it as the foundation for the rest of your color scheme. This will eliminate a lot of the stress and frustration that comes with choosing furniture and decor for outdoors.

Invest in Multi-Function Pieces

When you do choose to splurge on an item, make sure that it is something that you can take with you to your next home. If it is something that is specifically sized to a certain space, or which has only one function, that may be difficult. Sectional sofas are a great solution because they can be repositioned time and time again. Another great bang for your buck would be folding dining chairs. They can easily be stored when not in use and are great for occasional outdoor entertaining.

Check Out Thrift Stores and Yard Sales

A great way to get quality items without spending a lot is to hunt them down at thrift stores and area yard sales. Patio tables, lounge chairs, and umbrellas are frequently sold at these places for less than half of what you would buy them for new. Best of all, as long as you keep them in good shape, you will probably be able to sell them again for what you bought them for.

Creative Coverings

So what do you do if you just hate the wall color or existing concrete slab? Instead of changing it, cover it up. A large outdoor rug can help define a space, infuse your personal design choices, and conceal a less than attractive flooring. The same is true of the walls themselves. Hang outdoor curtains, let plants climb their way up tall trellises, or use large wall decor to help hide what you don’t want to see.

Whatever you do, make it a home that you enjoy for the time that you have in it. Decorating a patio is a great way to make the home feel bigger.