Just because you are in a rental, doesn’t mean that you can’t make it customized to your liking. We will show you exactly the best ideas for decorating a rental when you are unable to make major improvements like paint or drill. Whether you are decorating a rental flat or you are decorating a rental apartment on a budget, we have got some tips and ways to make your space feel like it is your very own without getting your landlord mad.
A few years ago, my parents were renting in an apartment and although it was beautiful, the walls were bland and it just didn’t feel like it was a space that was truly theirs. The building managers were pretty leanient but there were strict rules about drilling into the walls, painting the walls and making significant changes to the apartment. They pretty much just wanted the apartment in the condition they gave it to you in. So we took to Pinterest to find some home decor that we could use as inspiration to help decorate the space without making too many perminant changes and we are here to share some of those ideas with you.
In this blog post, we will show you all about decorating a rental when you are unable to make major changes to your space. From decorating a rental apartment and decorating a rental home there are so many ways you can decorate you place to make it customized to your liking and keep your landlord happy.
This blog post is all about decorating a rental.
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Are you allowed to decorate a rental?
Yes, you are allowed to decorate your rental but always check with your lease terms. Usually decor that can be removed without marks is acceptable.
Renter Friendly Decor Hacks
What’s Usually Allowed
Most landlords are fine with temporary, non-damaging decor, such as:
- Command hooks & strips
- Removable wall art or decals
- Peel-and-stick wallpaper or tiles (removable kind)
- Area rugs & runners
- Curtains using tension rods or removable rods
- Lamps, floor mirrors, plants, decor pieces
- Furniture, shelving, and organizers that don’t attach to walls
What’s Usually Not Allowed (Without Permission)
- Drilling holes into walls or ceilings
- Painting walls (unless landlord approves)
- Installing permanent fixtures (shelves, sconces, built-ins)
- Changing flooring or countertops
- Altering plumbing or electrical fixtures
Decorating A Rental Ideas
Now, let’s explore some ways that you can decorate your rental when you can’t paint or drill.
1. Hang Wall Art
I know what you are thinking, how am I supposed to hang a gallery wall like this without making marks on my walls or putting nails into the walls. We are going to let you in a on secret, all you need are a pack of command hooks to get the job done. They stick to your walls and can hold any lightweight artwork without leaving damage to your walls which make them perfect for renters.
GET THE LOOK FROM AMAZON:
2. Add Wall Sconces
By now you are probably thinking ” I thought this post was about renter friendly decor” and it still is, you can hang wall sconces without damaging the walls. The key to achieving this look is making sure that your sconces are battery operated and are hung with damage free materials like those command hooks.
GET THE LOOK FROM AMAZON:
3. Fridge Magnet
Decorating a rental kitchen can be a challenge especially when you have not so pretty appliances to work with. A cute way to add a personal touch to your kitchen is by creating a fridge gallery with pictures of your friends, family, and everything that you love!
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS:
4. Create Cozy Corners
Creating cozy corners in your rental is one of the easiest ways you can begin decorating a rental when you can’t drill any holes into the walls. You can create a cozy reading nook with a lamp, chair and blanket or turn an ugly bathroom corner into a usable and cozy spa area.
TIP: Use vertical storage systems to help save space and keep organized in smaller rentals.
5. Style an Entryway Table
An entryway table is a great way to make your rental home feel like your true home by welcoming you and your guests into the home and setting the tone for the space. It is always best to have a catch all area on your table so that you can put your keys in, purse, shoes, and everyday items so that they are quickly accessible.
RECREATE THE LOOK FROM AMAZON:
6. Add Wall Molding
If you have dreamt about having custom moldings in your apartment or rental house, you can still have it without upsetting your landlord. By using peel and stick molding sets, you are able to quickly remove the molding before your lease is up.
GET THE MOLDING FROM AMAZON:
7. Peel and Stick Flooring
Peel and stick flooring is a great way to hide any of those ugly rental floors that you may have in your bathroom or kitchen temporarily. Let’s face it, ugly floors can really make a space feel dated and ruin the aesthetic you want.
TIP: Be sure to lay the flooring down first before you stick them on to make sure they will fit your space correctly.
GET THE FLOORS FROM AMAZON:
8. Renter Friendly Bathroom Decor
If redoing the flooring in your bathroom and hanging wall art isn’t quite your vibe, just give your bathroom a fun refresh to make it feel like it’s truly your home. Start with a cute runner on the floors, style a wooden basket on the counter with faux florals, a candle, and a cute candle to give your bathroom an instant upgrade that feels like you.
9. Add Wall Hooks
Wall hooks are the perfect way to decorate your rental and also create some storage opportunities without drilling holes in the walls. The Command Hook brand makes heavy duty towel hooks that are meant to hold up to 5lbs, making them ideal for your bathroom towels. We have these in both of our bathrooms and stack multiple towels on each hook and have never had an issue.
GET THE HOOKS FROM AMAZON:
10. Add LED Strip Lights
Adding led strips to your apartment is a renter friendly upgrade that can elevate any area in your space. You can wrap the strips around your tv, bed frame, ceilings or even under your kitchen cabinets to give you place a warm glow that is landlord approved.
GRAB THE LOOK ON A BUDGET:
11. Wrap Your Countertops
Make a big impact on the decor and style of your kitchen by using peel and stick contact paper to wrap your outdated countertops. You can achieve the aesthetic you are looking for and make your rental look like it was just built this year while still abiding by the rules. The key in making this look good is making sure there are no bubbles and choosing a thick paper for a more realistic finished product.
GET THE CONTACT PAPER:
This blog post was all about decorating a rental.
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