And, for the influx of soon-to-be minted Canberrans flooding the capital to take up roles in the public service, this might come as good news.

According to the most recent census in 2016, almost 30 per cent of Canberrans rent. However, what Vanderzeil - who is behind the lifestyle blog Collective Gen - has found is that home decor tips for renters is often overlooked, despite them representing a "huge proportion of the population".

Her upcoming book, Home Is Where You Make It - due out on February 4 - is a room-by-room guide to do-it-yourself tips to make a house a home, with sections dedicated to renters.

"I think the biggest thing for me when thinking about rentals is about how can you make it feel like your own space without doing too many interventions, which is going to mean that you're not going to get your bond back," Vanderzeil says.

"Throughout the book, we really try to look at the room from the bottom up.

"When you're renovating, the floors are something you think about a lot but when you're renting you just have to accept the way are, usually.

"I always think about how you can emphasise a nice floor - if it's a nice timber it's about cleaning it and brightening up.

"If it's an ugly floor - which often when you're renting that's the challenge - for me it's about getting some really great rugs to disguise a terrible floor."

She suggests for rooms such as a bedroom with particularly unattractive flooring buying a rug which stretches from wall to wall.

"Then even just layer a smaller feature rug - that can create the illusion that you have a really nice floor."

When it comes to walls - particularly if it's not possible to paint - she suggests giving them a good scrub with sugar soap which can "make it look a bit fresh and new again".

The other trick is to create a feature on the wall with big pieces of art, which can even just be leant up against the wall on a vanity or another piece of furniture.

"I think it's also always worth updating your lampshades or your pendant lights," she says.

"I think one issue in a rental is that you have a really bright downlight or maybe a fluro and that kind of makes the whole space feel really clinical.

"I think even adding some lamps in the corner - particularly a nice lamp that casts a glow up to the ceiling can make a space feel really cosy and warm when it's not a huge change."

When it comes to styling - particularly when it's intending to give more of lived-in feel - Vanderzeil go-to is second-hand furniture.

While she admits there is nothing wrong with new pieces, an older and particularly unique piece adds more depth to a room.

And with online forums such as Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, Vanderzeil says it's easier than ever to get one-off pieces.

"I think things like chest of drawers can be a really nice thing to pick up, particularly if you keep your eye out for something that is a little bit unique and not your chipboard-style," she says.

"When picking up some older-style furniture, if it feels a bit too old you can always give it a few coats of a nice updated paint colour to make it a bit modern but also still have that nod to a more vintage style.

"Another piece that I think looks so cool in the kitchen is a vintage hutch.

"They're so popular now and they're really great in a kitchen that doesn't have much storage because they create storage, but they also give you space to style your cookbooks or some of your crockery to bring some of the things you own into the styling of the room."

When it comes to the styling, it's all about layers.

From books and ceramics to mirrors and artwork, Vanderzeil says it all brings life into a space.

"Art is often the cherry on top when it comes to interior design, and even one or two inexpensive pieces can breathe life and uniqueness into a space," she says.

"Also, shelves are the perfect way to create space that feels uniquely yours, and there are lots of options for integrating shelves into rental spaces."

Vanderzeil herself has a fascination with unusual books - of course, bought at a second-hand shop - and according to the stylist, the stranger the better.

"I also really love texture in a space. Whatever you can do to bring more texture into a space makes it feels really nice to be in," she says.

"I love baskets. They're obviously fantastic for storage but they also give your house or apartment a sense of texture.

"Things like textiles - rugs, cushions and things like that. You don't want to overdo it but just bringing a few things into your space helps to bring some of that texture."

The following is an extract from Home Is Where You Make It.

Q. I have just moved into a rental space and the bedrooms don't have closets. I'm not sure what to do to create enough closet space without it all looking really messy.

A. When we lived in London, we didn't have any closets, and it was quite a challenge. Luckily, there are a few hacks you can use to make life a little easier.

This can be hard to take, but when you're dealing with a no-closet situation, it's important that you're only working with the things that you love and actually wear. Take some time to go through your clothes, and get rid of anything you're not sure about.

You're going to need somewhere to hang all your clothes, and a freestanding wardrobe is a great option. You'll need to make a concerted effort to keep it tidy, but it will be useful to have.

For me, baskets are an essential for any space that is lacking in for storage. Slide them under the bed, put them in corners and on the top of cabinets. They're so useful!

Finding an ottoman or bed that opens up for storage is a great way to reduce your clutter. It provides a home for excess towels, blankets, tablecloths and duvet covers in a practical spot that doesn't need to be hidden away.

It's great to display your favourite items that you like seeing on a daily basis. I like to use the bedroom walls to display accessories like hats and scarves, and use shelves for displaying my favourite shoes.

At the end of each season, put away that season's clothes in boxes or a suitcase under the bed until you need them again. As you pack items away, consider donating any that you don't think you'll want to wear next year. Then, bring out the current season's clothes to hang in your standing wardrobe.

I talk a lot about designing a space that feels real, lived in and not like a showroom. But how do you actually achieve that? For me, it means adding different items and mixing up the decor so it feels layered rather than static. And that's where buying second-hand comes in! I absolutely love the depth that's created by adding antiques or second-hand pieces to a space. It's the perfectly imperfect nature of these items that gives your space life. You don't need to buy a big piece of

furniture to get this effect - a few small items here and there won't cost a lot, but they can add so much interest and character to your space. And the best part? Buying second-hand is eco-friendly.

I have a fascination with unusual books from second-hand stores - the stranger, the better. I love old book covers and colourful hardback books, for reading as well as the depth they bring to a space. Keep your eye out for pretty covers that you can match to the décor and colours in a room.

Take even a cursory look around an antiques store and you'll find mirrors of all shapes and sizes, and it's this variety that adds serious personality to your space. In the last few years I've found round mirrors, arched mirrors, antiques with decorative edges and so many more. They don't cost too much and make such a big difference.

Investing in older baskets bought from an antiques store is a great way to add depth to your space and give it more personality.

I'm yet to fully embrace buying original artwork. I have to admit that most of the pieces I like are outside my price range. But that doesn't mean I have to opt for cheap knock-off prints or dull still-life pictures. Flea markets are great places to find artwork that has a life and a history.

You'll always find me hunting through the ceramics section, no matter how boring and bland the second-hand store. It really pays to keep your eyes open. No matter where I am, I always manage to find amazing second-hand terracotta vases, retro cups and milk jugs, and handmade mugs.

Lamps are an opportunity to experiment with detail and style. And, in this case, go vintage or go home! I love everything about a fringed retro lamp, an '80s-inspired ceramic shell lamp or anything with a pleated paper shade. Consider swapping out old or ugly shades if the base is good.