Your friend just moved into a new rental. Are you planning to get them that framed “Live, Laugh, Love” sign as a housewarming gift? As a certified serial renter, getting décor as a present is always… complicated. Like, yes it’s pretty, but when you’re constantly moving apartments and living out of half-packed boxes & suitcase, the last thing you want is more stuff you feel too guilty to give away.
So if your friend is like me, aim for housewarming gifts they’ll actually use, things that are portable, practical, and still make the place feel a little more like home. They exist. Here are 10 of my favourites.
XGIMI Horizon home theatre projector
As a self-proclaimed cinephile, a mini projector is an absolute Godsend. Smart TVs are great, but there’s no way I’m hauling one from rental to rental. This “portable cinema” is compact, looks sleek on a shelf, and can turn any blank wall into a crisp 4K Ultra HD screen.
Victrola Journey Glow illuminated record player
The Victrola Journey turntable is perfect for any vinyl lover. Its upgraded stereo speakers deliver rich, full sound with deep bass, and with VinylStream technology, you can stream records to Bluetooth speakers or headphones. And since it’s styled like a slim suitcase, it doubles as a chic piece of décor, and is easy to carry from room to room, apartment to apartment.
Jlab Go party speaker
This beautiful, powerful speaker pumps out rich, deep bass and crisp highs that fill any room. Its customizable RGB lighting adds a pop of colour and personality, so it looks just as good as it sounds. Whether you’re throwing a party or just having a chill night in, it’s the kind of gift that instantly makes any space more fun and lively.
Nanoleaf Shapes hexagon light panels
What if your lighting could match your music, and even your mood? With over 16 million colours and endless RGB animations, Nanoleaf makes it easy to create any atmosphere you’d like. Relaxing with a book? Set something warm and cozy. Waging war in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7? Go for a bold, high-energy colour. Having a movie night? The panels respond to whatever’s on your screen, so your whole room shifts with the action. And if you’re playing songs with the Jlab Go, the lights can sync and pulse to the beat in real time.
Nanoleaf PC lightstrip
If those five panels aren’t enough, pair them with this zigzag lightstrip! Its real-time screen mapping reacts to in-game events, creating a fully immersive experience. Imagine exploring the mysterious world of Ghost of Yōtei bathed in a soft, otherworldly glow. Now that’s an epic setup.
Dyson HP02 Pure Hot + Cool Link air purifier with HEPA filter
Gone are the days of giant, clunky purifiers. The modern ones, like this Dyson HP02, are quiet, elegant, and basically a minimalist sculpture that happens to make your air cleaner. Useful if you live in a city… or with someone who cooks aggressively.
Skylight calendar smart display
This all-in-one smart display is made for anyone running a busy household (or someone who likes staying organized). The interactive chore chart makes tasks fun and rewarding, while the dinner planning feature keeps mealtime organized by displaying your week’s meals at a glance. And, when you’re not using it, you can switch it over to a digital photo frame (Plus subscription required) to showcase your cherished memories.
Smeg 50’s retro style mini electric kettle
How cute is this? If your friend loves all things vintage, they’ll adore this compact, charming kettle. Pair it with other retro-inspired Smeg appliances, like their toasters, for a fully coordinated look.
LEGO sets
Okay, so I might be a bit biased here—being such a LEGO expert—but a complete LEGO model adds such a fun touch to your space! Whether it’s flower sets like the LEGO Orchid, Bouquet of Roses, or one of those artsy ones like LEGO ART: Keith Haring – Dancing Figures, these blocks are more than just toys. Once built, they become stunning décor pieces anyone can admire. And honestly, building them is super fun and low-key therapeutic. If you move, just break it down and rebuild it somewhere new. Voilà!
Costway 50″ electric fireplace
Not as portable as some of the other gift ideas, but this cozy fireplace definitely makes a house feels like home. It warms up your room quickly, and with nine flame colours and adjustable brightness make it super easy to match any energy. Imagine watching Wicked with glowing green flames or Frozen with an icy blue backdrop! Lifelike logs and glittering crystals make it look like a real fireplace. And because the flame effect works on its own, it doubles as year-round ambiance, even when the heat’s off.
When you’re always on the move, it’s hard to feel at home when you’re at home. Every space feels temporary. Gadgets like these bring a little light, a little warmth—sometimes literally—and for a while, they make the space feel truly yours.
