One thing that every renter deals with is figuring out how to make a space that’s not your own, your own. You’re living in a place that you want to represent your own personality and interests, but you’re limited to not actually being able to make permanent changes to the home or yard.
If you’re renting a place with a great backyard, that’s another opportunity to make a space your own for the time you live there. But with a backyard, you probably can’t plant any permanent gardens or install hardscaping (nor do you want to spend the money on that for a yard that’s not yours!).
Luckily, there’s still a lot of great renter-friendly upgrades you can make to a yard that you can take with you when you leave. Check out some of these simple ideas you can add to your yard today!
Vertical or hanging gardens
While you might not be allowed to dig up the ground to plant veggies or even install a raised garden bed in your rented yard, you can definitely install a vertical garden into the corner of the yard or hang a planter on the fence.
Vertical planter gardens are a great free-standing option for gardening. These come in lots of different looks, like barrels and troughs, but they all have one thing in common- maximizing height.
Vertical gardens usually have several tiers to them, meaning you can plant several items with different qualities. Using one tier for blooming flowers, another for small succulents and another for trailing vines dripping down, your vertical garden can look really lush.
Vertical trellises are also a great option for growing plants that vine and like to grow up instead of drip down. These trellises can even double in use by providing some privacy and coverage from a neighbor in a tight space!
Hanging gardens are also a great option for herbs If you’re into cooking and want to have fresh herbs available, you can make or buy a hanging garden that can hang over the edge of your railing or fence with brackets. This type of garden keeps your ground space clear, but also lets you grow those smaller plants that don’t need much space.
Convenient Watering
Whether you use your hose for watering the lawn, potted plants, vertical gardens or even simply to wash the car, you’re going to want the convenience and aesthetics of a Retractable Hose Reel. It allows you to reach anywhere you want, all while keeping the hose neat, contained and free of tangles or kinks.
If your rental agreement doesn’t allow you to attach the bracket directly to your home, that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of easy watering – we’ve got a couple of options to make your Hoselink Retractable Hose Reel dreams a reality.
Fixed Ground Mount
If your yard is flat or gently slopes downward from where your spigot is located, a simple installation option is the Hoselink Fixed Ground Mount. While we generally recommend this as an option to attach to timber decking or a concrete patio, we’ve found that by using a set of 4 x 16” tent pegs you can effectively secure the mount to the ground. First, ensure that the area you are installing the mount is level and located away from any underground water or electrical lines. Bare soil or short cut grass is best, though a layer of fine gravel will also allow for a firm fit between the mount and your ground surface. Place the ground mount in your preferred location, and use a mallet to secure it using 16” tent pegs (you will need to source these separately). Ensure the pegs are fully inserted in the ground to prevent the mount from pulling up as you extend the hose.
Freestanding Post
You can easily build a portable hose reel stand by filling a large barrel planter with 80 pounds of quickset concrete (roughly 2 bags) and a 4x4 post. Place the post in your planter before filling with concrete, use a level to ensure the post is perfectly upright, and once the concrete has had 24 hours to set you’ll be able to attach the hose reel bracket. If there is still room above the concrete in your planter, fill the rest with soil and enjoy the added growing space! When it’s time to move, your planter stand and hose reel are free to move with you.
Another great water conscious choice is to add a rain barrel to your yard. Rain barrels can be installed into downspouts if you own the home, but as a renter you can simply place them in the yard and they will accumulate water during the next rain. Use the water collected in the barrel to keep your plants irrigated, then simply empty the barrel and take it with you.
Solar Lighting
Solar lighting is truly one of the best ways to create a beautiful ambience in your yard. There is nothing better than sitting outside on a balmy evening and having your space lit up by the soft lighting powered by the sun. Solar lights come in all shapes and sizes, meaning you can mix and match depending on the layout of your space.
One of the most common uses of solar lighting is for pathway illumination. There are a variety of pathway lights that can obviously light your walkway, but these can also be placed strategically around a garden bed, seating area or even the edges of your yard. These types of solar lights give you helpful light close to the ground to help guide you through your yard, or highlight certain edges and features. There are a range of options available that offer both always-on and motion-activated functions.
Another great option for solar lighting is hanging String Lights. String lights are perhaps the easiest way to dress up your patio or pergola, stretching them between trees, around any deck framing or even directly attaching them to your home using adhesive hooks. Solar string lights don’t need to be hardwired or connected to an outlet, making them very mobile. Simply locate a flat surface to place the solar panel too and you’re good to go! The solar panel may be attached using the provided hardware, or some heavy duty double sided tape will also do the trick in most cases.
Solar-powered flood lights are another great option for people who rent a house without adequate outdoor lighting. Whether your job requires you coming home after dark or you need to take your dog outside before bed, having a motion activated security light gives you light when you need it and darkness when you don’t. Plus, if you’re not familiar with the area, having the comfort of a light that turns on if someone comes by can give you great peace of mind.
When using solar lighting, be sure to position the solar panels so they receive the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day to allow them to perform at their best through the evening when you need them. Truly renter-friendly, solar lights are easy to install, easy to remove and while they add maximum value to your outdoor living – they don’t leave any long term impact on your temporary home.
Solar Garden Path Light with Motion Sensor 1LED - 2 Pack
Solar Party String Lights | 25 Bulb Starter Set | Warm White
Decor and furniture
One of the more expensive, but easiest ways to make a rented outdoor space your own is by adding furniture and decor that suits your needs. If you have the space, adding an outdoor couch and chairs on the patio or in the corner of your yard can instantly create a new living space. Pair this furniture with a freestanding fire pit and you’ll be able to enjoy your yard with friends and family no matter the season.
If you do have a patio, adding an outdoor rug under your furniture is a way to brighten your space and give it some of your own personality. Throw some matching pillows onto the couch to really give the space some pop. Add some decorative solar lanterns on the side table to add to the vibe and really know you made this space your own!
In conclusion…
Just because you’re renting a home (and the yard!) doesn’t mean that you aren’t allowed to do anything to make the space your own while you’re there. Of course you need to be respectful of the owner’s property and know if there are things you are specifically not allowed to do, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with exactly what’s there.
By adding some non-permanent fixtures to your yard, you know that you aren’t investing your time and money into something that you can’t take with you. Vertical gardens, solar lighting, portable watering solutions are great ways to give an outdoor space your own personality, knowing you can take them with you whenever the time comes.
Not all ideas will work for every space or for each person, so assess what you have to work with and don’t be afraid to branch out!
This blog was written by Sean Morgan, you can find him at @charlestoncrafted
