Living in a rental can feel a little… limiting. You’re surrounded by plain white walls, builder-grade floors, and fixtures you didn’t choose. It’s easy to feel like you can’t make the space your own because you’re worried about rules, damage, and losing that all-important security deposit.
But I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to live in a boring box.
You can absolutely create a home that feels beautiful, personal, and cozy. The secret is knowing the right tricks. These nine renter friendly decorating ideas are designed to make a huge impact without leaving a permanent mark. Let’s dive in and make your rental feel like home.
1. Hang Art and Shelves Without Fear
Are you afraid to hang anything heavy on your walls? Many renters stick to flimsy command hooks, but you don’t have to. The key to freedom is knowing how to fix the holes when you leave.
A product like 3M’s Small Hole Repair is a renter’s best friend. It’s a small tube that has everything you need: the filler, a flat edge to smooth it, and a cap that works like sandpaper. It’s so easy to use. You can confidently hang that heavy mirror, put up shelves, or even mount a TV. When it’s time to move out, you just fill the holes, sand them smooth, and no one will ever know they were there.
2. Get the Secret Paint Codes
Paint is one of the most powerful tools for changing a space. But how can you use it in a rental? Simple: ask your landlord for the exact paint colors used on the walls, trim, and doors. Make sure you get the brand, color name, and the finish (like eggshell or satin).
Some landlords will even leave extra paint cans in a closet or garage. Once you have this information, you can easily touch up any scuffs or filled nail holes. It also gives you the confidence to paint an accent wall a new color, knowing you can easily paint it back to the original before you move.
3. Distract from the Things You Can’t Change
Sometimes you just have to live with ugly floors or dated kitchen cabinets. Instead of focusing on what you can’t change, focus on what you can control: your furniture and decor.
You can draw attention away from those ugly elements by creating beautiful moments elsewhere. Hang a large gallery wall to create a focal point. Choose furniture you truly love. A beautifully styled coffee table or an eye-catching lamp will make people notice the good stuff, not the bad. This is one of the best apartment decorating hacks because it’s all about smart styling.
4. Brighten Up Your Space with Better Lighting
Rentals are famous for having terrible lighting. A single, dim ceiling light is not enough to make a room feel warm and inviting. Luckily, this is an easy fix.
You can add layers of light without touching any wiring. Plug-in wall sconces can flank a sofa or bed for a high-end look. Battery-powered picture lights can make your art look like it’s in a gallery. And of course, floor lamps and table lamps add instant warmth. You can even swap out an ugly ceiling fixture! Just be sure to keep the original one in a safe place so you can put it back before you move out.
Renter-Friendly Fixes for Common Problems
Feeling overwhelmed? This quick table shows some common rental problems and the simple, damage-free solutions you can use.
| Common Rental Problem | The Renter-Friendly Solution | Why It’s a Great Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Boring, bare walls | Use small nails and hole filler | Gives you the freedom to hang heavy art and mirrors. |
| Dated or ugly floors | Cover them with a large area rug | Hides the floor and makes the room feel bigger and cozier. |
| Bad overhead lighting | Add plug-in sconces and lamps | Creates a warm, inviting mood without any electrical work. |
| Visible, messy cords | Use paintable cord covers | Hides clutter and makes your space look clean and finished. |
5. Add Fancy Molding (The Temporary Way)
Do you love the look of elegant picture frame molding? You can get that custom look with a brilliant rental friendly DIY trick. Instead of using construction glue and caulk, you can install lightweight molding with just a brad nailer.
The tiny nails are strong enough to hold the molding in place, but they are easy to remove. When you’re ready to leave, you can gently pry the molding off the wall. Then, just use your trusty hole filler to patch the tiny nail holes, touch them up with paint, and your wall will look good as new.
6. Ditch Those Ugly Closet Doors
Dated, clunky, or broken closet doors can really drag a room down. The easiest solution? Just take them off! Store them safely under a bed or in a storage unit.
Removing the doors can open up your space. If you still need to hide the contents of your closet, you can hang a beautiful floor-to-ceiling curtain on a simple tension rod. Or, you can embrace the open space and turn your closet into a mini-office, a reading nook, or a vanity area.
7. Make Cords and Cables Disappear
Nothing screams “temporary rental” like a messy tangle of cords hanging from your TV or snaking across the floor. You can easily fix this with peel-and-stick cord covers.
These plastic channels stick right to your wall and hide the cords inside. The best part is that most of them are paintable. Just paint the cover the same color as your wall, and it will virtually disappear. It’s a small detail that makes your whole space look cleaner and more professional.
8. Hide Bad Flooring with a Great Rug
If you dislike the flooring in your rental, a rug is your best solution. A large area rug can completely cover up carpet or tile that isn’t your style. It also adds color, texture, and softness to a room.
Here’s the most important rule for rugs: go bigger than you think you need. A small rug will make your room look smaller. A large rug that your main furniture can sit on will make the space feel more expansive and put-together.
9. Get Smart About Your Storage
Rentals often don’t have enough storage space, which can lead to clutter. Being smart about storage will make your home feel calmer and look better.
Use large decorative baskets to hide blankets or toys. Find a sideboard or cabinet to store things out of sight. Under-bed storage boxes are perfect for things you don’t use every day. When your rental is organized and clutter-free, the whole space feels bigger and more peaceful.
FAQs
How can I decorate a rental without damaging it?
Use items that are easy to remove. Try peel-and-stick wallpaper or tiles. Large rugs can cover ugly floors. These ideas will not cause any damage.
Is it worth decorating a rental?
Yes, it is absolutely worth it. Your home should be a happy place. Decorating makes your rental feel like your own. You will enjoy living there much more.
How to design a rental house?
Focus on items you can move. Choose great furniture, art, and rugs. These pieces show off your personal style. You can take them with you when you leave.
How to hang decorations in a rental?
You can use temporary hooks for light items. They stick to the wall and peel off cleanly. For heavier art, use a small nail. It is very easy to fill the tiny hole when you move out.
How to decorate a rental property?
Start with big things like rugs and curtains. They can hide floors and add color. Change the lighting with your own lamps. These simple changes make a huge difference.
It’s Time to Love Your Rental
Your home, whether you rent it for one year or ten, should be a place that makes you happy. With these renter friendly decorating ideas, you can stop feeling limited and start creating a space that truly reflects your style.
You don’t need a huge budget or permission to make big changes. All you need is a little creativity to make your rental feel like a real home.
Which one of these ideas are you excited to try in your space? Share your plans in the comments below
