10 student rental upgrades to tackle on reading week

Renting a place as a student is mostly fun, but with a tight budget and not a lot of spare time to devote to fixing it up, it’s hard to turn the space into the home of your dreams. Hopefully reading week will free up some of your time (it shouldn’t because you should be studying, but hey) and you can tackle a few of these simple rental upgrades.

In the living room

Paint!

The easiest and boldest way to revamp a room is to paint the walls. Ask your landlord for permission first: some landlords will even pay for the paint if they recognize the need for a fresh coat. If you live with roommates, decide on a colour that matches the overall style of the group. If your landlord doesn't foot the bill, paint and supplies can get expensive so sharing the cost with roommates is best. Plus, painting with friends is fun. Grab a case of beer and make it a fun activity. If you live alone, convince your friends to come over to help and get started!

Frame your photos or posters

It’s nice to have photos of friends and loved ones on the walls, but think about how much better they might look in nice frames? Frames can be cheap, and they are easy to install. That classic poster you’ve had for years or that cool print you bought while traveling would look great in a new frame. If your landlord doesn’t permit nails in the wall, use adhesive hanging strips. Or, if you’re looking for something new, check out these framing alternatives.

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