6 Affordable DIY Projects for Renters

6 Affordable DIY Projects for Renters

Our top DIY project ideas for renters

Create a DIY portable garden bed

For a temporary gardening option that’s low fuss, easy to maintain and will keep your garden and home tidy, you can’t go past a raised garden bed.

This DIY garden is a great alternative to a traditional garden bed, as it can be easily installed and adjusted to suit the size of your rental property’s backyard. Another benefit is that you can take it with you when you move! 

Whether you want to plant a few veggies, herbs or even just some flowers, the choice is yours!

Once you’ve selected a garden bed, look for an area that allows water drainage (for example, on porous bricks, lawn, or soil). There are even options on the market that come with their own draining systems, which are perfect for patios and balconies.

If you don’t have a lot of space outside, there’s always the option of creating an indoor garden!

Indoor gardens are great for adding some colour to your home décor, are simple to create, and look great. Just make sure you have the right lighting for your plants.

Some plants love light, while others thrive in darker indoor areas. 

Check out our blog post on creating your very own indoor herb garden to get some inspiration and tips for your own garden.

Make changes to your window coverings

Rentals are often known for having cheap and nasty window coverings that aren’t the best in terms of their function or style.

If you’re feeling like the existing coverings need to go, there are a few options.

The first option is to ask the landlord if you can change them. Chances are landlords aren’t going to want to replace anything that still works, so your best bet to get them to agree is if you offer to pay for the new coverings.

DIY blinds for a rental don’t need to be expensive. There are many options on the market that are affordable, high quality and will enhance your home décor! Here are a few ideas:

1. Roller blinds

Roller blinds are one of our most popular products, and for good reason! They’re incredibly versatile in that they are suitable for many rooms in your home, have many colour choices, and are available in a standard, blockout and sunscreen fabrics.

Learn more about the benefits of Roller blinds in our blog!

2. Venetian blinds

Venetian blinds are another great option for your rental! They are available in both aluminium, cedar, and timber-look materials, meaning that there’s an option to suit any room in your home! Timber-look or aluminium Venetians are perfect for any wet areas, whereas cedar is great for living areas and bedrooms.

3. Vertical blinds

If you’re wanting to change the existing blinds in your rental, there’s a good chance they’re verticals, right? Vertical blinds are a very popular option for rentals due to their low price, however, don’t knock them just yet. 

Verticals provide your home with excellent light control, and with a fresh colour and look, these blinds can make your space feel more your own. 

For tips on how to install DIY blinds yourself, head to our guide! 

Option two is to replace the curtains if there are already curtains on your windows. Changing the curtain type, colour or fabric is very simple if there is already an existing curtain rod.

We recommend installing curtains in a rental, as you can easily take them with you to your next house once your lease is up. If you’re not sure whether curtains or blinds are best for your rental, find out more about both in our blog post.

Replace the existing toilet seat

Replacing a toilet seat is an incredibly easy, yet often overlooked home DIY project and it’s something that can make you feel more at home. 

Plus, toilet seats are very affordable to buy, so it won’t matter once it’s time to move. 

Before you get stuck into this DIY project, all you need to do is check the measurements of the existing seat’s fastening bolts to ensure you buy the right one. 

Be creative with your storage options

Frustrated by the lack of storage solutions in your rental property? 

The trick is to buy furniture with built-in shelves! Think coffee tables with drawers, bed bases with drawers, or a desk with a hutch. 

Best of all, once you purchase these items, they’re yours to take along to your next home. 

Another option is to use a vertical cube storage unit. This way, you’re utilising the vertical space, rather than valuable floor space in a smaller home. These units don’t have to be boring, with some paint and creativity, you can create a completely personalised DIY storage solution that makes your space feel more like your own.

Update old light fixtures

If your landlord won’t get back to you about changing old dodgy light fixtures in your home, it might be time to take matters into your own hands. 

Not all light fixtures will be able to be easily changed, so it’s important to make sure you only change simple ones. To update your lighting grab some DIY pendant lights and screw them into existing fixtures to give any room a refreshed look. 

You can also add in your own lamps to enhance the décor of the space plus add extra lighting at the same time. 

Personalise your space with wall décor

Many landlords don’t want you to make any changes to the house that will damage the walls, such as adding permanent hooks or blue tack. 

But luckily for you, there are picture hangers available which are removeable and won’t damage the walls, peel any paint off, or leave any marks when you peel them off. 

This trick allows you to add your favourite art or photos of loved ones to your walls without compromising your bond and keeping the landlord happy. Just remember to take down any removeable hooks before your rental inspections!

Interested in new DIY blinds or curtains for your home? Why not get in touch! You can reach us via Facebook or by calling my Australian customer support team on 1300 699 041. They'll beat any competing in-store or online blinds quote you may have by a huge 10 percent!

You can find all of our shutters, awnings, curtains, and blinds online for the lowest prices, guaranteed. Plus, we deliver Australia-wide from Perth to the east coast and offer free shipping on metro orders over $449. For all other orders, shipping is $27.

Toodles!

H x

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