How often do you hear, “I don’t really want to decorate this house. I don’t love it.” “This is a rental, so why bother.” or “I don’t want to spend the money since we won’t be here that long.” Better yet, how often do you say that?

These are all conversations I have had with friends. And I get it. Trust me.

However, I am a firm believer in decorating the home you are in now.

My home is a rental. It’s not my dream home. Before I hear all about what a great house it is, I know. It’s a great house. We are very blessed, it just isn’t entirely my style. I would love to change 101 things about it. But, for now, we have made this home our own.

Here are a few ideas for loving the home you are in.

1. Think about the future. I just bought great barstools from my neighbor. They are classic stools I have loved for a long time. Are they a bit too high for my bar now? Yes. But, will that always be my bar? No. Invest in things you will be able to use for years to come. You will always need a great chair. Or the perfect dresser. Why wait to buy it for your future home when you could enjoy it now?

2. Don’t be afraid to put holes in the wall. Hang those pictures! Use command strips and hooks when you can, but don’t be afraid to use nails either. Holes can be patched. For me, nothing makes my house feel more like a home than our family pictures on the wall. Or my bookpage wreath.

3. Look beyond the carpet you hate or the cabinets you don’t love. My house has beautiful wood trim throughout. I just happen to like white trim better. Oh well. I haven’t decorated my home to match the rustic interior. Luckily for me I don’t mind an ecclectic feel. We are making the best of the wood trim, and dreaming of the glossy white days ahead.

4. Change the things you can. We had an ackward TV nook in our fireplace? I couldn’t quite figure out what it was. I was kind of resolved to just live with it. My husband, smart guy that he is, realized we could move the shelf to make it more book case like. Quick fix. Many landlords will allow you to paint or make improvements to the home. Do it! Paint isn’t a huge investment. But, it makes such a huge impact! I love that Triana painted her kitchen a bright, cheerful teal in her temporary housing situation.

Doesn’t that color just make you smile!?

5. Think about accessories. Little things like pillows, or a great lamp can really brighten up a space for a low cost. Check out places like Homegoods for great accessories on a budget. I made sure to use zippers in the pillows I made for my couch, knowing that I if I get tired of them, it’s an easy fix.

6. Look for the good. When all else fails, embrace the things you love about your home. I have the best master closet ever. An amazing laundry room. So what if my master bedroom isn’t as a big as I would like!? Again, have you seen this closet!? My husband has a shoe shelf just like this at the other end. Awesome. (On second thought, don’t look at that picture twice, you might notice the mess! And, a whole post about my closet is coming soon.)

So go ahead! Invest in the couch you love now, hang that family picture canvas. And paint your rental bedroom a color that makes you happy!