How to Make a Rented House Your Home

About the author: My name is Sophie Layton, and I’m an MA International Public & Political Communication and BSc Biology graduate from the University of Sheffield. I am currently the Managing Editor of WILD Magazine, Editor of Ed Fringe Review, and Newsletter Editor for the Essex International Jamboree, as well as former Arts & Theatre Editor of Forge Press. I am also the Digital Media Officer for the Student Publication Association. I am a keen thespian with the Sheffield University Theatre Company, with interests in culture, LGBTQ+ issues and political science.

You’ve got your house, but that’s only half the battle! Here’s how to make it truly your home…

Bundling through the door with three extra bags of clothes you don’t remember packing, you’re greeted by an unfamiliar hallway, living room, and bedroom – all officially yours. But once you’ve moved in, how do you transform this new house into something truly homely, something that reflects you and serves as your sanctuary for the next year? As someone who’s done this six times now, here are my top tips on how to make a student house look homely on a budget.

A student's bed and clothes rail

How to make your rented house your home

“Unpack your troubles from your old kit bag”

So you’ve got your suitcases, bags, boxes, and assorted containers in your new room, usually in an Everest-like configuration – congratulations! But as much as now seems like a great time to chill out and enjoy being in, don’t leave things in their boxes. No one truly gets the feeling of being in their new home until everything is unpacked, in its place, and the boxes are sitting in the recycling bin! Battle through the apathy and get those bags unpacked, and you’ll be feeling more at home in no time!

“Colour my world”

Your table’s upright, the bags are stowed, and you’ve familiarised yourself with your surroundings; it’s now time to make them truly yours! Gone is that ghastly painting from your predecessor; it’s time to inject some personality into your room, and your home.

When it comes to how to make a student house look homely on a budget, the possibilities for decorating truly are limitless – and with a long tenancy ahead of you, there’s plenty of time to get creative. From posters and fairy lights to tapestries and murals, take your pick. You could also frame some pictures of your loved ones, buy extra cushions, throws, and rugs, or grab a desk lamp for that lovely evening-glow aesthetic.

Just be careful how you affix things to the walls, however, and be sure to check what you can and can’t use before you get started!

Lay down the law

Whenever you move into your new home, there’s always a period of controlled chaos as both you and your housemates find your feet. But especially if you’re living with new people, you’ll want to figure out a few things early on to keep the wheels turning and the trains running on time.

For example, who’s going to do various chores and when (cleaning rota, anyone?), who’s going to take responsibility for managing the bills (if you’ve not got them in a single, easy package with Split the Bills), whose items are going where, and all manner of seemingly minor details. Sit down with your friends, iron out the creases, and it’ll feel like home before you know it.

You’re-a the explorer

A new house also brings with it a new community, new environment and a new place, even if you’re in the same city or just down the road from where you were before. Even if you’re very familiar with the area already, nothing beats a good wander around to explore.

Walk your commute to work or university and back again, find both your new supermarket and your 11pm-snack-runs corner shop, and have a look for your nearest park or green space. It may only be psychological, but nothing helps you feel more at home than walking back after work or with your weekly food shop in hand – and who knows what else you may find!

Warming the house

Who doesn’t love an excuse to have a party? Well, here’s a great chance to! Nothing says ‘new house’ quite like a housewarming party, a chance for all of your friends to cease chatting for hours in your old living room and start chatting for hours in your new one. It’s also a great opportunity to meet more of your friends’ friends and form a mega social circle centred at your place! Just be careful to keep the noise to a reasonable level, or you might be meeting your neighbours much sooner than expected.

Plan a routine (music & choreography optional)

Once the hullabaloo of getting in, settling and celebrating your new house is done, you’re going to want to get your routines back in order and return to a more familiar way of life. Begin to figure out when’s best to head to the shops, do your washing and all the other general admin that life requires. Don’t forget to work out how long it now takes to travel to various places, such as university or to work, or you might find yourself running down your new road if you’re not careful!

Hearts and minds

No matter whether you’ve just moved in or have been at home for a while, your housemates play such a crucial role in making your home, and you’ll likely see more of them than most other people. With that in mind, remember to keep an eye out for both yourself and your housemates, particularly when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.

Check in with those around you regularly, help to create a peaceful environment, and be prepared to lend an ear, an arm or a hug if you should find anyone ever needing it. We all have those days, but they can be made better with a friendly housemate to share the load with and help you all get along.

Moving into a new house is the start of a brand new chapter of your life, and now, you’ll have a place that truly lives up to your next big adventures. Remember to keep it nice and tidy and truly authentically you – “there’s no place like home”.

Sort the bills in your new home

​Now that you know how to make your house feel like a home while renting, it’s time to sort something out before the household arguments start: how to split the bills.

At Split The Bills, you can divide bills between housemates and just be responsible for paying your own share. No chasing, no hassle. Get a quote today to get your energy, water, WiFi, and optional TV Licence set up!

 

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the Split The Bills Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Split The Bills. Split The Bills accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.

Split The Bills is not a financial advisor. This should not be considered as professional financial advice. Do your own research & consult a professional financial advisor before making any financial decisions!