I can’t paint my rental, but this simple decorating trick makes all the difference

Home decorator Ammarah Hasham is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts infusing her rental house with plenty of personality. See the rest of her articles here.

I love dressing up …when I am not roaming around in my pyjamas, of course. For me, accessories are what pull an outfit together. I’ve been collecting them for as long as I can remember. In fact, some of my pieces have been with me since my teenage years (yes, that long), and I still reach for them today.

I realised I decorate my home in exactly the same way. I rely on accessories to give a room that same je ne sais quoi. Just like a great pair of earrings can transform a simple outfit, a well-placed lamp can completely change the mood of a room. The best part is that the price tag doesn’t matter. Some of the most affordable lamps I’ve owned, and even DIY-ed, have made the biggest impact. Just like a favourite accessory finishes an outfit, the right lamp controls what your eyes notice first.

After years of renting, one thing I have realised is that just because a space doesn’t have any personality, it doesn’t mean we should lose ours too. Rental homes rarely come with much character, so it’s up to us to bring it in.

When I moved into my first place, I thought the overhead light was enough. I never really questioned it because it was bright enough for me to cross stitch, and at that time, that was all I cared about. If I could see what I was doing, the lighting had done its job.

Over time though, I found myself reaching for the lamps more and more. Every time, the room instantly felt calmer, warmer and far more inviting.

Lighting wasn’t just about seeing the room anymore. It was how the room made me feel.

And my good old lamps served a much bigger purpose than simply filling an empty corner.

They break up the magnolia

One of the biggest frustrations of renting is not being able to paint or wallpaper. Almost every rental I’ve lived in has come with the same neutral walls. Three countries, yet the same story every single time.

I’ve learnt to introduce colour in ways that don’t require a paintbrush or my landlord’s permission, and lamps have become one of my favourite ways to do just that. A colourful base or lampshade instantly breaks up the sea of beige, giving your eye somewhere to land.

The beauty of lamps is that they are completely portable. You can move them from room to room till you find your favourite spot or scatter them around your home like confetti, adding little dots of colour where needed. A decorating investment you never have to leave behind.

They layer light beautifully

Lighting controls what your eyes notice. Make it count. You can change the feel of a rental by layering your lighting. More often than not, rentals have a functional single overhead light that floods and flattens the room.

Introducing lamps in varying heights can help you create depth and dimension in an otherwise boxy and clinical space. A floor lamp, table lamp or even a small rechargeable lamp on the shelf can work together to make a space more inviting.

I have learnt through plenty of trial and error that lighting behaves a bit like a camera operator. It directs your attention. It highlights the features you want people to notice while allowing the less attractive parts of a room to fade into the background.

In rentals where there is little to no architectural character, you can completely change how a room is experienced simply by playing with where the light falls. And of course, you don’t need to spend a fortune to do that.

They outsmart bad lighting

Who even decides where switches and plug sockets go in rentals? They always seem to end up either smack in the middle of a wall like an eyesore or tucked away in the most awkward places. Then there’s that single ceiling light that’s somehow expected to do all the work.

(Rant over)

That’s why I’ve come to rely on lamps, especially rechargeable ones. They let me create cosy little pools of light exactly where I want them, not where the wiring dictates.

Thankfully, there’s an easy way around it. Cordless lamps and smart bulbs with remote controls give you far more control over how your home feels, bringing a little of that hotel-style convenience into a rental. No trailing cables. No need for extension leads. Just pure freedom and convenience to brighten up poorly lit corners, without being restricted by badly positioned sockets.

Many rechargeable lamps are dimmable too, so you can adjust the brightness depending on the mood you want to achieve in a room.

A COMPLETE game changer!

They add texture and contrast

If a room looks a little flat or everything seems to blend into one another, lamps can work wonders. They can create a cosy lived-in ambience without making any major changes. The secret lies in choosing a lamp that’s just as beautiful switched off as it is switched on.

I always pay attention to the materials, finishes and textures. A pleated lampshade brings in softness while a ceramic base brings another layer of interest. If your style leans towards something more modern, a glossy metal lamp might just be your thing. Natural materials like rattan or wood create a warmer, more relaxed feel.

When we think about contrast, most of us immediately think of colour, but that’s only part of the story. Contrast also comes from mixing materials and finishes. Pairing smooth ceramics with woven baskets, a linen lampshade with a metal base or a curved lamp beside clean-lined furniture creates a subtle juxtaposition that stops a room from feeling predictable.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m still the person who loves the big light when I'm cleaning, crafting or working on a project. I’d barely be able to thread a needle without it. But once the day is done, and it is time to unwind, it's the lamps I reach for.