The good, the bad, and the pre-furnished

Design expert’s advice on how to elevate uninspiring furniture

On the whole, landlords are not choosing furniture with design as a priority. When asked to describe their landlord's furniture, the most common answers from tenants were: ‘cheap’ and ‘bland’.

Other descriptions included: run-down, uncomfortable, and unfunctional – none of which evoke feelings of comfort in the home.

MADE’s, Head of Design, Ali Edwards, explains, “Functionality is crucial when it comes to furnishing a home, and investing in durable and easy-to-use products that stand the test of time is essential."

“Great design is equally important, as shown by the enduring popularity of design classics in our homes. Investing in furniture pieces that are built to stand the test of time is integral. It’s about furniture that moves with you, rather than poorly-made pieces you need to replace.”

"If you are renting a pre-furnished property, there are still many ways to enhance your space. Instead of viewing bland furniture as a limitation, consider it a blank canvas to modernise or maximise those pieces through colourful accessories or clever space-saving solutions. You can also get creative with decorative elements like throws, cushions, rugs, and books."

"When adding colour or texture to a space, consider the colours already in the space, and the hues you can add to complement the existing theme. If the current theme leans towards minimalist tones such as white, grey, or cream, think about areas where you can introduce bursts of colour or texture to create depth."

"You can also maximise your space by incorporating statement pieces such as floor lamps or shelving units, and existing furniture can be elevated by adding visually appealing trays, candles or patterned tablecloths. Even something as simple as adding a wicker basket or a colourful storage box to an uninspiring TV stand can significantly enhance its appearance."

Renter-friendly design tips for making your space your own

Given the lacklustre adjectives used to describe landlord furniture in the UK, it's unsurprising that almost three-quarters (73%) of tenants wish they could change the furniture that came with their rented accommodation.

According to Melody, “Environmental psychology suggests that colours, layout, and personal items in home décor can evoke specific emotional responses. Calm colours like blue and green can create a soothing environment, while personal items can make a space feel more secure and uplifting.”

To make the situation less bleak, Ali Edwards has come to the rescue, sharing their best renter-friendly tips to elevate uninspiring furniture.

Starting with the living room, she says, “Dressing a coffee or sideboard with decorative books and magazines will help to make the space feel like your own, while adding a large rug and curating a gallery wall of prints can help to tie everything together.

The key with the living area is filling it with feel-good pieces - look for unique shapes, comforting colours and lots of texture.

More is more when it comes to mood lighting. Layering light sources is a great way to make a space feel cosy and lived in. Typically, pre-furnished flats only come with a small two-seater sofa, so adding an accent chair is a great way to inject some personality, doubling as an extra seat when hosting guests.

How to promote psychological comfort

Rental flats typically come with a sofa, a bed, and a dining set, which can take up a large chunk of a room. If these pieces aren’t to your liking, it can impact how you feel about the space. In fact, nearly three-fifths (58%) of tenants find it difficult to make their space feel like their own.

According to clinical psychologist Melody Smith, it's important to personalise your home as “it helps transform a generic space into a reflection of your personality, which has a knock-on effect on your comfort and emotional well-being.

To make the task of decorating less daunting, Melody suggests focusing on the following factors to promote psychological comfort:

1. Choose soothing or personally aesthetically pleasing colours.
2. Physical comfort is crucial to achieve psychological comfort.
3. Incorporate natural elements like plants or water features, which have been shown to reduce stress and enhance mood.
4. Try to create a layout that allows for natural light and easy movement.
5. Create designated areas for relaxation, work, and socialising to help facilitate a balanced lifestyle.

“A well-decorated space can influence mood through aesthetic appeal; for example, a clutter-free, harmonious environment can reduce stress and promote feelings of tranquillity. Personalised touches can elevate the environment, making it more engaging and comforting.

“The act of decorating not only improves the physical space but also enhances emotional well-being by making the environment more aligned with your sense of style and comfort.”

“In the bedroom, artwork is a great way to add another personal touch, while dressing the bed with throws and cushions will help make the room feel calming and cosy. Or, if space allows, adding a dressing table is another easy way to customise the room and really make it your own.”

Flats and apartments typically have an open-plan kitchen, living room and dining room, which can hinder relaxation and feel more functional than homely.

To make this area feel more like you, she suggests, “Try to create clear zones between the spaces. For the living room, place your sofa on a large rug and angle it away from the kitchen to ensure separation.

“If you have a separate dining table, positioning it on a rug will allow it to have its own space, and switching up the colour scheme between each area can help create clear zoning. You could opt for brighter colours in the kitchen or dining area to uplift you, then choose softer tones for the living room to promote relaxation.”