Renters looking to spruce up their space are being offered expert advice and temporary decorating tips on how to do so without damaging the property. The moving experts at LOVESPACE are advising renters on the best ways to decorate their properties without risking the loss of their deposit.  Rental agreements can differ from landlord to landlord and it’s fair to say that some are more willing to agree to cosmetic changes than others. For those seeking to make home improvements but are struggling because of limits within their tenancy agreement, there are plenty of ways to make temporary changes without damaging the property. From stick on flooring to removable radiator covers, the options are endless when it comes to adding personality to rented properties. “It’s important that before you make any changes to a rented property ask your landlord for permission – no matter how small the decision may seem,” said a spokesperson for LOVESPACE. “There is often an assumption that landlords won’t let you make changes to the property but this isn’t always the case. Whether it’s just a lick of paint or a nail in the wall, it’s always worth asking. If the landlord thinks it might make their property more valuable then they’re more than likely to say yes. Even if your landlord does refuse any changes to the property, there are plenty of ways to spruce up your space with simple furnishings.” Here are LOVESPACE’s decorating tips on sprucing up a rental property: Adhesive strips When you want to avoid banging nails into the wall and potentially causing damage, adhesive strips could be the answer. These strips are perfect for picture frames, holding LED lights in place and even keeping cables organised. If you’re worried about hanging a larger item like a mirror it’s best to pair it with a statement piece like a tall vase and lean it against the wall. This might not seem like the most glamorous method but it can make for an eye-catching feature that is different from the norm. Soft furnishings Cushions, curtains and throws are perfect for adding pops of colour to any room – although they are the most obvious choice. Choosing bed linen, bathroom towels and even tea towels to match the surrounding area are more unique ways to add depth to a room. Try matching bed linen with the shades of the carpet or curtains to create a sleep haven. Removable wallpaper and flooring When you don’t have the option of painting walls or changing flooring, it can feel difficult to give the property any personal touch. This is where the beauty of stick-on wallpaper and flooring comes in. The adhesive backing allows easy application and removal on most surfaces. With online and instore retailers stocking designs from boho chic and art deco, to floral and industrial, there is a solution to bring personality into any property. Change handles When renting it’s unlikely you’ll be able to make major changes to key areas of the house like the kitchen. So, if the kitchen is looking dated it can easily be transformed into an inviting space by simply changing the handles. Chrome details can add a modern edge to kitchen cupboards and should be fairly easy to change using a screwdriver. Add greenery Plants can quite literally breathe new life into a lacklustre room. Choose peace lilies which can thrive in low light conditions (perfect for flats) or opt for some succulents which require little maintenance. Not only can plants make a space more aesthetically pleasing but they also have lots of health benefits too. They can purify the air, relieve stress and improve concentration – perfect for those who work at home. Radiator covers In some cases, not even a lick of paint can save an ugly radiator, so that’s why it can be best to cover them up completely. Radiator covers can transform a metal eyesore into a unique focal point of the room. Most wood covers can slip over a radiator without the need for any DIY. These covers can get expensive depending on the size and material, so for a more affordable alternative opt for a radiator wrap instead. Rugs Whether you have a cold vinyl floor or just a carpet that needs covering up, rugs are one of the best temporary decorating tips. As well as covering up any unwanted flooring mishaps, rugs are a great way of zoning certain areas. Use circular rugs under circular dining tables to make them more inviting and help to separate the space from the kitchen. Shop secondhand When moving into an unfurnished property, there is an opportunity to add personality to every room. Buying items brand new can be expensive, whereas you can pick up second hand items for a more affordable price and sometimes even for free. Online marketplaces are a goldmine for preloved furniture and there are some unique pieces just waiting to be found. Clear the clutter If the furniture in your new property doesn’t quite match your decor plans or you’ve simply got too many belongings, popping it into storage can help to provide you with a blank canvas. Storing winter clothes, unwanted furniture and other seasonal items is a great way to achieve a minimalistic look and one of the easiest decorating tips. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News

While many Brits enjoy a bit of DIY at the weekend, and painting is a popular choice for easy home renovation projections, it doesn’t mean that you can improvise becoming a pro painter-decorator overnight. If you ever feel tempted to tackle your next painting project yourself, make sure you avoid these common mistakes, so you never end up wasting time and money. No prep before painting Preparing the area you’re going to paint isn’t the most exciting part of the process, but it’s an essential step if you want to see the best results. Too many people just skip ahead and start painting without preparing the surface or the area they will paint. Needless to say that if you have wallpaper or old paint, you’ll need to strip the wall to ensure you have a smooth surface to paint on. If your wall has a lot of asperities (it’s a fancy word for roughness), you may need to do some plasterwork or some light sanding so that the texture doesn’t come through. Ensure the walls are also clean to avoid painting over dust particles or anything else that can get stuck over time. You can do so by vacuuming the walls to remove all dust and washing the area with warm water and vinegar for a deep clean. Don’t skip corners and baseboards! Finally, make sure that anything that doesn’t need painting will be protected. That includes the floors and nearby furniture. It would help if you also were wrapping doorknobs and use painter’s tape along the edges of your surface (the baseboards, for example). Taking the time to set up protection will ensure you have a clean finish, and you won’t stain precious furniture or other areas. Using the wrong paint This might seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised to see how many people buy paint before realising they didn’t choose the right one. Not all types of surfaces react to paint in the same way, so you will need different products depending on whether you are painting metal, wood, tiles, concrete, plaster etc. Make sure to double-check that the paint you are selecting will be appropriate for your surface area. In doubt, many specialist retailers like The Paint Shed are happy to provide guidance and help you choose the right products for your project. Once you have the right type of paint, don’t forget to check what finish you’re buying as well. It may seem like there wouldn’t be much of a difference between a gloss and semi-gloss finish, but anyone who has ever painted a whole room in gloss will tell you otherwise. Using the wrong tools If the tools don’t make the craftsman, having the right tools for the job will certainly help you achieve the results you want. If you are painting walls or large surfaces, swap the paintbrush for a roller which will avoid creating lines or streaks (which is caused by the brush bristles). Not all paint rollers are created equal, though, and you will have to select the right one depending on the type of surface. Generally speaking, thicker roller covers (also called nap or pile) are more suited to rougher surfaces as they can apply thicker layers of paint. Thinner roller covers will be better suited for smoother surfaces that require a more delicate finish. Make sure you’re not over saturating the roller when painting. Applying too much paint in one go can lead to uneven application and drips. The nap should be saturated with paint but not dripping. You can use a paint tray to ensure the paint is spread evenly on the roller and remove excess before applying it to your surface. Using trays is also highly recommended rather than dipping your tools straight into the paint can, leading to contaminating the paint with dirt or dust. Ignoring the weather Exterior projects are particularly concerned with the weather, but it could also apply to some inside work. If the weather is too humid and cold, it will affect the time needed for water-based paints to dry. If the weather is not going to be in your favour, consider delaying your project until it is warmer or drier. The wind is also something to think about. If you are painting outside, strong winds could ruin your work or just make it extra difficult for you. Now that you’re armed with these tips, I hope you feel ready to tackle your next painting project! If you enjoyed this, you’ll find more articles like this in the painting and decorating section of our website.

New research by comparethemarket.com reveals the most expensive rooms in the home and how long, on average, Brits spend in certain rooms to unveil which are the best value for money. It won’t be much of a surprise that the master bedroom is the best-valued room in the home with Brits spending the most time here (2,482 hours per year). However, people only spend an average of £308.51 updating the room each year.  With more people working from home than ever before, the home office is near the top of the list with people spending 1,204.5 hours per year in the room. Since the beginning of lockdown back in March, £213.21 has been spent on doing up the home office.  Over the last five years, Brits have spent over £10k (£10,461.59) on home improvements with almost a quarter of that being used for the kitchen (£2,293.64). Delving further into hours spent in the kitchen, it seems Britons are putting their culinary skills to use (766.5 hours per year).   How much has been spent during the lockdown  Looking at the surge in home renovations during the lockdown, Brits have spent over £1k (£1,210.35 in total) perfecting their homes with the three most expensive rooms for renovations being:  Living Room (£214.49) Office/Study (£213.21) Kitchen/Dining Room (£210.69) Regional breakdown  The research highlighted interesting regional findings.  While Londoners spent the most on their homes in the last five years (£12,236.86), people from Newcastle topped the list of those who splashed the most cash on renovations during lockdown . Top five cities: Newcastle (£1,561.41) Bristol (£1,338.50) London (£1,322.82) Edinburgh (£1,281.72) Belfast (£1,269.50) Out of 15 cities, people from Leeds were found to spend the most time in both the kitchen (2.5 hours per day) and the master bedroom (7.6 hours per day). Chris King, head of home insurance at comparethemarket.com, said: “Many of us have spent significantly more time in our homes this year so it’s natural that people will want to update their living spaces. This research highlights just how much we invest in our homes and ultimately how important it is that you have comprehensive home insurance to financially protect the home and belongings.”