Though renters don’t have to worry about maintenance or property taxes, they don’t have much leeway when it comes to modifying their living space. Lighting in particular is one area where renters like to personalize but usually can’t. Below are a few great ideas for lighting upgrades that you can take with you when the lease is up.
Custom Fixture Covers
Most cheap, mass-produced fixtures disperse light in a way that many renters find off-putting. Ceiling lights are usually the worst culprits in this regard. You can remedy the situation by buying your own glass fixture covers that have your preferred level of opacity. Due to standardization, you can install custom glass covers on a range of fixtures.
Xenon Bulbs & Devices
Though incandescent light bulbs are falling by the wayside, they’re still ever-present in most managed rental properties. Fluorescent tube lights are equally popular and just as glaring. You can achieve a more appealing glow quite easily by installing low-voltage xenon bulbs. Xenon lighting options come in all shapes and sizes and can be installed practically anywhere.
Portable Adhesive LEDs
Once a novelty item seen on late-night infomercials, tap lights that can be affixed to any surface have really come into their own in recent years. Battery-powered LEDs can be stuck underneath cabinets or to walls behind couches and desks to provide surprising illumination. So-called LED puck lights are a renter’s best friend when permanent fixtures aren’t an option.
Flexible Floor Lamps
Long-stemmed adjustable floor lamps are yet another fantastic lighting option for an apartment or rental home. Plug-in and battery-powered models can be positioned to create the perfect lighting pattern regardless of the floor plan in question. Many floor lamps come with manual and remote dimmer switches, which allows renters to fine-tune light intensity as they see fit.
Rope Lights & Lanterns
If you’re looking for the ultimate in low-key ambiance, white LED string or rope lights can make any space absolutely glow. LED-equipped rope lights are particularly well suited to outdoor spaces such as patios, decks and balconies. LED lanterns are an increasingly popular alternative since they come in such a wide array of styles and colors.
Motion-Activated Lights
One easy way to increase the convenience factor of your auxiliary rental lighting is by opting for motion-sensing portable fixtures. Many modern LEDs and xenon lights boast the ability to switch on and off when people enter or exit a room. Motion-sensing lights installed beneath cabinets and by doorways are a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Lighting in Layers
There’s no better way to improve the quality of interior lighting than by combining multiple lighting options. For instance, a puck light or two by your desk combined with a floor lamp to the rear provides rich light that’s not too harsh. Likewise, xenon lamps mounted underneath cabinets paired with overhead fluorescent lamps shielded by custom glass covers make working in the kitchen far more enjoyable.
Make Any Space Your Own
Ultimately, the ideal lighting scheme for any living space depends heavily on personal preferences. As such, it’s no wonder that rental apartments and homes typically feature generic and uninspired lighting layouts. The devices and techniques outlined here can make any rental light up the way you see fit without requiring any structural or cosmetic changes.