Being a young person in 2018 means that, unless you’re REALLY good at saving money (or happen to inherit a small fortune from a distant, unknown uncle), you’re probably gonna be renting your home for the foreseeable. Sigh.

Monroe Bergdorf talks everything you need to know about handling internet trolls...

Living in rented accommodationmeans that you’re probably faced with dodgy decor, boring flatpackfurniture and rooms that look like the ‘before’ picture on an episode of Changing Rooms.

Pinterest-worthy homes might feel like a distant dream right now, but there are actually a few ways that you can make rented accommodation look more like the homes you swoon over on social media.

Here’s 11 genius hacks for rented accommodation to make your home look on point - without breaking all the rules of your contract.

1. Wall stickers

If you’re feeling serious bedroom envy afterwatching a million moving vlogs, the first job on your dream DIY list is probably the walls. Unfortunately, landlords aren’t always okay with you getting your roller out.

That’s where wall stickers come in. They’re a genius alternative to on-trend patterned wallpaper or a whole new paint job, and are instead just a temporary fix.

Perfect for uni bedroom walls or a statement living room wall, you can find all sorts of genuinely cool, aesthetic designs like cactuses, constellations and mandalas on Etsy.

2. Command strips

Say hello to your absolute new best mate when it comes to jazzing up rented accomodation. If you’ve never heard of Command Strips and Command Hooks, your life is honestly about to change.

The range of velcro-like strips and heavy duty hangers do zero damage to your walls, but allow you to hang up anything from prints, to posters, to lights and even curtain rails in the same way that you would do with hooks and nails.

So it might say ‘no holes in walls’ in your contract, but you can still have that illustration gallery wall you've beendreaming about.

3. Fairy lights

It’s a scientific fact that any room instantly looks ten times better when you add fairy lights to the set up. When your space feels cold, impersonal and functional rather than cute and cosy, all you need are a few warm-toned strings of lights.

Wrap them through banisters, across your headboard, around doorways or along the floor for a soft starry final look. Get extra creative on shelving or ceilings by using a few of the Command hooks we mentioned before.

You’ll be amazed at the difference they can make without having to compromise on your rental contract.

4. Removable wallpaper

Fed up of living in beige walls on beige floors surrounded by beige furniture? Relatable. Why do all of our landlords always love beige SO MUCH?

You can totally add your own stamp onto your interiors without getting chucked out, though. Removable wallpaper is actually a thing that exists, and it’s perfect for transforming your accommodation.

It’s just a simple peel and stick technique, so go crazy for Scandi prints or even give yourself that New York industrial loft vibe with some sneaky brick-effect wallpaper.

5. An indoor garden

Whether it’s teeny tiny cactuses or huge cheese plants, interiors bloggers are all about bringing the greenery indoors right now, so don’t stress if you don’t have any outside space.

Do your research first to find out which plants will thrive in the space that you’re working with, and create an indoor garden for yourself to boost your green game.

Ladder shelves, woven baskets and cool pottery are all extra bonuses that can add to the prettiness.

6. Washi tape

Living in a home that’s not ~technically~ your own doesn’t mean you have to leave your personality at the front door. Washi tape is a genius invention when it comes to changing up your decor in unique ways.

It’s basically masking tape that comes in every colour, pattern and design under the sun, which you can use to customise every corner of your home.

Use it to frame pictures, create designs on the wall or add stripes to furniture - and don’t even give it a second thought. When you’re bored or you're moving out, you can just peel it straight off.

7. Wall hangings

Another way to basically give your bedroom the makeover treatment is to invest in a tapestry. Nope, we’re not talking about thoseold fashioned carpet things. These days they’re extremely cool wall hangings.

Places like Urban Outfitters and Etsy sell them in all sorts of on-trend designs to add cosiness, warmth and a homely feel - AND they cover up any ugly paint choices.

They look particularly great if paired with fairy lights, layered up cushions and throws, or even if a string of your fave Polaroids draped over the top.

8. Stick-on tiles

Just signed up to 18 months in a flat with a kitchen straight outta the 70s? Yellow tiles, grubby grout and weird, unidentified stains probably don’t fit too well with your Instagram theme.

Luckily, just like the removable wallpaper, stick-on tiles are a thing that you can get your hands on. They’ll allow you to have a pop of colour in the kitchen, or a super shiny, brand new bathroom with minimal effort.

And the best part is you don’t need to worry about your deposit - just remove the stick-on tiles whenever you need to. Sorted.

9. Contact paper for worktops

Just to complete the whole ‘wrap my entire flat in removable coverings’ idea, you can even buy contact paper designed specifically to revamp your worktops, too.

That dream marble kitchen counter is just a bit of sticky back plastic away, and as long as you spend some time and effort doing the measuring properly, it can look seriously amazing.

Chuck a few copper utensils and a bouquet of flowers on the side, and we'll see you in a home makeover magazine next week.

10. Cosy furnishings

When trying to complete your own version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on a budget, check out your fave high street shops like Primark, Catalan and H&M who all do amazing homeware ranges these days.

Accessories like throws and cushions are really affordable, socreate the colour scheme of your dreams by covering up your sofa in layered up soft furnishings.

They’ll make your room look instantly more warm and welcoming. A mixture of shades, textures and knits will help to give that Insta-ready look to your living room set up.

11. Switch up cabinet handles

And last but not least, it might not be quite the brand new kitchen or bathroom you've been pinning, but it’s a good place to start. Swapping the handles of your cupboards and cabinets can make SUCH a difference.

Get handy with a screwdriver to remove the existing handles and store them somewhere safely to swap over again when you move out.

Simply replace them with something that suits your taste a whole lot more. Rose gold? Quartz? Retro shapes?A small detail that can totally change the look of your room. Clever, eh?

'Words by Lucy Wood'