Congratulations on your new home! Whether you’re new to the world of rented accommodation or a seasoned professional at relocating yourself, we’ve got some great tips to make your rented flat feel like home.

Here’s the scene: It’s moving day, you’ve dragged all your belongings into the back of a taxi to travel across town, you’ve finally arrived at your new home after being squashed in the car with your favourite lamp digging into your side. You cross the threshold into your new apartment and begin unloading all your life’s belongings into your new space. Here at Manchester Apartments, we take great care to ensure our apartments are as homely as possible – but there’s always ways you can add a touch of personality and character into your new home.

Wall art

Although it may sound like a simple place to start, wall art can transform your space. An abundance of white walls doesn’t exactly make you feel like you’re in your own personal oasis. That’s why wall art is a great way to liven up your space - take a look at Desenio for the coolest prints. Forget nails in walls and those annoying blue tac stains - Command Strips are a great way hang framed artwork, and you can rest assured they won’t leave any damage, meaning your deposit won’t be affected at the end of your tenancy.

Mirrors

If you’re not blessed with space, mirrors are not only a great decorative piece, but they also create the illusion that you have more space than you actually do. Place opposite a window to make your whole apartment appear brighter and more spacious. Textured frames - like this one on Amazon, and mirrors with a coloured border – like this mosaic dream, will add more character, so it’s worth experimenting and seeing which works best for you.

Bring the outside in

Another way to personalise your space is to add lots of greenery. This cost-effective way of decorating is especially popular with the modern city centre dweller. ‘Bringing the outside in’ (or biophilia) has become a great way to add a splash of colour into your apartment – and the benefits are surprising; it’s been said that plants can help to reduce stress and create a sense of wellbeing. Furthermore, some plants can even improve air quality, reducing carbon dioxide levels as well as levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide. If you struggle to keep a plant alive, choose low maintenance succulents or ferns.

Accessorise until your heart is content

Accessorising may seem like a basic way to spruce up your living space, but it’s the little, personal touches that make all the difference. New bed covers will instantly transform your bedroom, so choose colours and patterns that represent you, what you like and your personality. Cushions are another very simple way to add texture and colour into your apartment - this gorgeous fringed cushion cover is one of our favourites. A couple of cushions and a throw over the sofa will make all the difference, and when you can finally relax after a busy day, you’ll be as cosy and as comfortable as can be!

Lights, lights and more lights

What is it about fairy lights that transform a room? Those little teeny-tiny LED bulbs instantly vamp up the cosy factor in your apartment. With websites like Etsy, Amazon and Wayfair, the choice is endless, and the warmth and brightness of the blubs can create completely different moods within your apartment, leading us on nicely to filament bulbs. These bulbs are great if you’re looking for something a little more interesting, they transform old light fittings, add irrefutable warmth and give you a taste of the industrial trend. [pictured our Basil House apartments on Portland Street]

Looking for your own stylish apartment in Manchester city centre?

We hope from this you’ve been able to pick up a few tips and tricks on how to make your rented flat feel like home! Let us know how you decorate your place by tagging us on Instagram! If you like what you see and want to find out more about Manchester Apartments, send us an email at hello@mapartments.co.uk or give us a call on 0161 509 6310.