Home Gifts
Gifts for renters: nothing that needs a drill
Most home gifts assume you can drill a wall. For a friend or grown-up child who rents, the useful presents are the ones that improve a flat without touching it — light with no wiring, storage that hangs on a door — and that leave with them when they move.
A styled scene — for the feeling. The picks are below.Home Gifts · The Found Edit
Still to come
- 01
Rechargeable cordless table lamp
Looking for: USB-C charging, dimmable, warm white.
- 02
Over-door hooks
Looking for: Fits a standard UK door, padded back, 5 or 6 hooks.
- 03
Over-door or leaning mirror
Looking for: Shatter-resistant, hooks included.
- 04
Washable rug
Looking for: Machine-washable, non-slip backing, about 120 x 170cm.
- 05
Picture frame set with hanging strips
Looking for: Set of frames; pair with removable hanging strips.
- 06
Artificial plant in a pot
Looking for: Realistic leaves, 60cm or taller.
- 07
Compact dehumidifier
Looking for: Mains-powered, at least 500ml tank. e.g. Meaco, Pro Breeze.
Quick answers
- What is a good gift for someone who rents?
- Something that improves the flat without changing it and moves with them: a rechargeable cordless lamp, over-door hooks, a mirror that hangs on a door or leans against a wall, a washable rug. Avoid anything that has to be screwed to a wall.
- What should you not buy for someone in a rented flat?
- Shelves, wall lights, heavy mirrors and anything else that needs drilling, plus paint and wallpaper. Many tenancy agreements ask tenants not to drill or decorate without permission, and the cost of repairing holes can come out of the deposit.
- What is a good housewarming gift for a first-time renter?
- The practical things a first flat is missing: a lamp for a dark corner, hooks for coats and towels, a rug to cover a tired carpet. If the flat is damp in winter, a small dehumidifier is more welcome than it sounds.
- Can you hang a mirror or pictures in a rented flat without drilling?
- Yes. An over-door mirror hangs from hooks over the top of a door, a full-length mirror can lean against a wall, and light frames can go up with removable adhesive strips. Check the weight limit on the strips and follow the removal instructions, or they can take the paint with them.
