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Renter-friendly upgrades focus on planning, removable changes
BBC Business highlights renter tactics like stick-on tiles, command strips, and warmer lighting to refresh a space without risking deposits.
BBC Business turned to B&Q’s chief executive Graham Bell and interior designers Lara Clarke and Lydia Lloyd for ways renters can make a flat or house feel more like home without major renovations.
The outlet notes that higher average mortgage rates and hefty deposits have kept many people renting for longer, so transforming a rental can be done with a small budget and temporary or non-invasive upgrades. Bell says landlords may be open to sensible improvements, particularly when upgrades are planned and do not fundamentally change the property, and he emphasizes deciding goals, measuring the space, and buying supplies before starting.
For changes that can move with tenants, Bell recommends renter-friendly products such as stick-on tiles for the kitchen, suction storage for the bathroom, and expandable blinds that can be fitted without drilling. Clarke adds that artwork is an easy option, using affordable vintage paintings, exhibition posters, or framed sketches, then securing them with command strips so they can be removed without leaving holes.
Lighting is presented as another quick lever, with Bell arguing that rentals often feature bright lights and that swapping bulbs or using strip lighting with different tones can create a warmer atmosphere without requiring a major renovation.