How Generation Rent can transform their home into a nest – one they can potentially transport with them to their next property …
When I look back on my 20s, memories are tethered to a patchwork of different properties. There was the shiny new build in Dublin’s Docklands, eerily quiet in the recession era. There was the attic level of a Georgian townhouse, which the eccentric landlady had furnished with antiques. There was the Liberties flatshare I wallpapered silver for a party, then was at pains to put right before the letting agency saw it. In a decade of renting, I lived in twelve different addresses. Breakups, rent increases and relocations all provoked house moves. Some sojourns lasted only a couple of months, making redecorating unthinkable.
Fuelled by a sense of adventure, constant moving was tolerable at first, but by the time I turned 30, I longed to be able to put down roots. With 44 per cent of Irish first-time buyers now aged over 35, this kind of nomadic existence is now typical for young professionals well into their careers. From March 1, though, new tenancy agreements will be required to offer six-year leases. This a coup for renters: six years isn’t a lifetime, but it’s enough to offer tenants some stability and allow them more scope to personalise their living spaces. While restrictions still apply even on a longer lease, try these ideas to transform your home …
Uncommon Projects x Sophie Smallhorn combination table, from £375stg.
PERSONAL TOUCHES
Rentals often lack a sense of history, so foster intimacy with family photographs or heirlooms. These needn’t be priceless pieces: for me, my great-grandmother’s 1920s sewing tin gives a nod to the past. Alternatively, tell your own story with unique pieces that speak to your personality and interests. Avid hostess? A vintage mini-bar kitted out with ice buckets and cocktail shakers. Green-fingered goddess? Invest in an ikebana kit and create bespoke flower arrangements year-round. Culinary queen? Install a utensil rail in the kitchen and hang pans and kitchen tools. These finishing touches add warmth and character to a space, reminding guests that although you might be renting, this home is truly yours.
Topaz rug, €115, at EZ Living Interiors.
RUGGED CHARM
Rugs, throws, blankets and textiles are a boon for design-savvy renters as they’re so easy to transport. Invest in quality Irish design at Molloy & Sons and Mourne Textiles for timeless pieces you can bring with you. When sourcing rugs, don’t forget to reconsider proportions in each space. A rug that’s too large or too small will throw the whole room off: as a rule of thumb, the front legs of any furniture should perch on it. Always on the move? Layering multiple smaller rugs means they can be easily reconfigured to fit new spaces. Look at author and publisher Nathalie de Saint Phalle’s Neapolitan palazzo for inspiration on creating a layered, bohemian vibe using antique Kurdish rugs.
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
Don’t stop at the walls. Unsightly kitchen cupboards can be customised with removable vinyl “wallpaper”, or even repainted with the landlord’s permission. Little Green’s Intelligent Satin is formulated for interior woodwork; it’s hardwearing, beautiful and doesn’t need a primer. Next, swap out generic door and cupboard handles for more characterful pieces: Graham & Green has a selection in marble, brass, ceramic and mother of pearl. For true attention to detail, you could also hire an electrician to fit your own light switches and plug sockets. Check Dowsing & Reynolds for statement-making styles, from industrial brass toggle switches to clean and minimal pops of colour. Just remember to keep the originals somewhere safe so they can be swapped in again when you leave.
Black Jackson Rechargeable Wireless Wall Light, €66; www.next.ie.
LIGHT IT UP
If possession is nine tenths of the law, then lighting is nine tenths of interior design. Integrate a mixture of gentle overhead lights, lamps, task lighting and uplighting to add depth and layers to a space, create zones and define key features. Smart bulbs can be installed in most ceiling lights and controlled via app or tiny remote control – allowing you to adjust brightness and create different moods throughout the day. Plug-in or even wireless wall sconces add a bespoke look to a space without complex rewiring: Next stocks a number of wireless, rechargeable styles, or invest in April and the Bear’s plug-in Monica wall lamp. Illuminate shelves, cupboards and wardrobes with smart LED strip lights like Philips Hue lightstrips, available in an assortment of lengths and adjustable colours. Or make a day-glo design statement: HAY’s neon-style LED tube lights (at Industry & Co, Dublin) come in blue, pink, red and yellow and create instant ambiance.
Monica globe pendant wall lamp, €99; www.aprilandthebear.com.
Copita Metal Wall Light, €35; www.laredoute.com.
Neon Tube, €69; www.industryandco.com.
Cinnamon single chunky dimmer switch, €75; www.dowsingandreynolds.com.
A LICK OF PAINT
Longer leases mean it’s now worth the effort of repainting (with the consent of your landlord, of course). This doesn’t have to mean a drastic change. Many rentals use a standard brilliant white paint that’s harsh on the eyes, so even selecting a more considered, high quality neutral can make a big difference to a space. “White is super hard-working,” says designer Jonathan Adler. “Start with a chic foundation … then accessorise with abandon.” As well as warm whites, grounding earth tones are trending for 2026. For something easy to paint over, opt for muted, natural hues with low saturation (pale clay, soft olive or dusty blue) in eggshell finish. Deeper tones like burgundy and navy are trickier to reverse, so leave them for accessories and soft furnishings.
Vitsoe’s 606 shelving system.
MAKE IT MODULAR
Lighter, portable pieces have an edge for renters, but this doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality. Designed by Dieter Rams in 1960, Vitsoe’s 606 shelving system is a modern classic for a reason: its lightweight, modular framework can be reconfigured for any space. It’s a substantial investment, but could last for generations: the company’s blog shares the story of a London family who’ve moved their shelving system between eight properties over 30 years. Saving up for a deposit? Ikea’s Elvarli system and Muji’s SUS offer more budgetfriendly takes on the concept. Other examples of clever, modular furniture items include John Lewis’s Nod chair, which folds out into a day bed, and Uncommon Projects x Sophie Smallhorn’s combination table, which can be grouped into flexible arrangements.
Walnut Art Deco figured serving trolley, €1,295; www.pamono.eu.
ACQUIRE WITH INTENT
Younger renters starting from scratch should seek to slowly amass characterful pieces over time, squirrelling away treasures that might one day come with them into a permanent home. (Consider renting a furnished flat and asking your landlord to remove unwanted items as your collection grows.) Don’t be tempted to go for quick fixes that won’t withstand a move. Vintage items offer a win-win, offering quality on a budget and creating a sense of history, so search antique fairs and auction sites. If your new find doesn’t fit your next rental, you can always resell: it’s like renting from the universe.
Rosa Abbott at Estorick Collection.
DRESS TO IMPRESS
If painting is out of the question, think creatively about how to dress up your walls. Art, textiles and clever lighting can all help. “Art adds the soul to a space”, says interior designer Sally Wilkinson. When Wilkinson relocated from the US to a London rental, she brought only six cases of clothes and one very special abstract painting – “it carries the flat”, she told House and Garden. Train your eye to spot a masterpiece by visiting galleries and art fairs: Art Evolve returns to the RDS from March 27–29. To add even more texture, seek out textile art: a growing trend according to interior designer Christian Bense. “This medium feels at home in both traditional and contemporary interiors, and it really contributes to the layering of a space.” Ceadogán Rugmakers has a long tradition of collaborating with artists to create high quality textiles that transform any blank canvas into a dazzling work of art.
Dawncare limited edition print by Isabel Nolan, €500; www.thedouglashyde.ie.
Mother’s Shadow by Cecilia Vicuña for IMMA.
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