Make your rental home a summer paradise

If you're renting your home, then painting walls, installing air conditioners and having built-in braais put in doesn't make sense - but this doesn't mean you can't enjoy your home and entertainment area this summer. The CSi Property Group takes a look at some of the ways you can transform your home into a summer paradise this season.

Keeping your home cool

While installing air conditioners doesn't make sense, there are loads of ways to keep your home cool. For starters, you could invest in a portable air conditioner. These do a great job of keeping a room cool, but tend to be quite noisy and they have a wide pipe that needs to go through a window to disperse the hot air. Creating a breeze through your home can also be achieved with fans. If you have more than one standing fan, play around with where you position them to find the places that create the best breeze. Keep the doors to any rooms you're not using closed to prevent the cool air that your fans are creating from being wasted in these areas.

If you're finding that your fan just isn't quite effective enough, try placing a bowl of ice in front of it. This will create an efficient yet affordable form of air conditioning. You could also consider buying a misting fan - these can be especially effective on a patio or in a braai area.

Keeping your blinds and curtains shut during the heat of the day (especially if they are blackout curtains) can lower the temperature inside your home by several degrees. When the weather cools down in the late afternoon, open your home up to let the cooler air in.

Creating a great entertainment area in your rental home

You may not be able to install a built-in braai or a swimming pool, but there are plenty of ways to make the most of summer in your rental home. For starters, let's talk patio furniture. This can be a great investment because it's not fixed to the property and whatever patio furniture you buy will be yours to take with you when you move on to your next home.

There are many different types of patio furniture, and with a little imagination, you can collect an assortment that's both functional and beautiful. When you're choosing your patio furniture, make sure it's durable and has removable cushions, as it will be living outside. The right blend of outdoor seating, accent tables and décor can transform your patio into a stylish retreat.

Bringing in summer colours and top trends for the new year

It's time to pack away the wintry throw rugs and scatter cushions and bring touches of summer into your home. While you aren't likely to be free to choose your wall colours in a rented home, you can change up your accents to usher in summer and the approach of 2023. According to House & Garden, the trend forecast for next year includes sustainable design and the use of recycled materials, as well as indoor plants and bold colours.

When it comes to your rental home, you can look for cushion covers and scatter rugs made from sustainable organic fibres and bring in vibrant pops of colour with every accessory from vases and throws to picture frames and curtains.

Need help finding the perfect home to rent in Gauteng this summer? The CSi Property Group has a wide array of listings in every area of the province and the team is waiting to help you find your perfect home. Contact us for more information.