When living in rented accommodation you are undoubtedly more restricted with the kinds of improvements that you can make to your space, but don’t let this stop you from being creative and making your place feel cosier this winter. Before you begin it’s important to note what you can and can’t do within the terms of your contract, for example, some landlords are ok with their tenants hanging a reasonable number of pictures on the wall, whereas others have a zero-tolerance policy for any wall damage. To try and keep this post as helpful as possible we’ll stick to changes you should be able to make in even the strictest of spaces.

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1. Change your lighting
   Lighting has the ability to entirely change the feel of space and its something that you will usually have at least some degree of control over. To give a warm and cosy feel try to achieve more amber tones in your lighting by using light bulbs with a more yellow undertone. If you are worried about throwing away your old bulbs then store your other lightbulbs in a drawer to replace when you move out. In addition to changing your light bulbs, another way to cosy up your lighting is by adding a few table and floor lamps which will enable you to achieve a softer glow at times when you don’t want the full ceiling light on. To make a table and floor lamps even cosier try to use enclosed lampshades which diffuses the light.  

   

2. Incorporate cosy textures
   Woven rugs and fluffy throws are a cheap and easy way to add warm cosy textures to your home and are items that can easily be folded up and transported with you when you leave. If you have hardwood floors or a tiled kitchen then try adding a rug or runner to break up the hard flooring and give your feet some softness and warmth. Add texture to your sofa or bed by draping a couple of throws and blankets across them, for ultimate cosy texture cues opt for two contrasting textures such as a fleece blanket and a woven throw and stick to warming and cosy colours.
3. Incorporate nature into your furniture 

Wood and leather are two materials that instantly make a home look cosy as they bring forth images of farmhouse living. If you’re responsible for the furniture in your accommodation then why not incorporate some cosy farmhouse vibes into your living space by upgrading to some shabby chic furniture from Shabby Store. Shabby chic furniture is a great way to achieve a cosy vibe whilst still maintaining a degree of modernity and luxury which will help your furniture stand the test of time.

 4.Play with fire

Fire instantly makes a room feel cosier. Obviously, it isn’t possible to bring a log burner into your rental property but you can purchase electric fires and burners which can be easily plugged in at the wall and give the same warm glow and physical heat as a real fire would. To have the effect of fire on a smaller scale also make use of candles throughout your space, though do of course be careful to check whether you are allowed candles and if you aren’t, then consider using the electric flickering varieties to the same effect.