The benefits of renting, at times, far outweigh the choice of buying a property instead. It offers the luxury to live flexibly, to be able to come and go as life’s priorities evolve, and allow for a change in environment whenever a reset is needed. And if by chance you may be interested in buying your own home one day, renting is a good way to find out what kind of space and features you’d like to prioritize once you start browsing homes to purchase.
But of course, the challenge of making it your own with the hopes of still getting your security deposit back, is an ever-present hurdle that faces all renters. But contrary to popular belief, renting a property still doesn’t mean you have to settle for a lackluster living space in fear of damaging anything. So if you’re looking to instill that home feel into your new space, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve curated 45 brilliant and budget-friendly home renovation hacks and the best tips to inspire any bedroom makeover and help you elevate your rental. From peel-and-stick wallpaper to inventive lighting solutions, these hacks will transform your rental into an elegant sanctuary without breaking the bank or causing any permanent changes.
And if you’re in need of some inspiration, check out these top creators that specialize in renter-friendly DIY home renovations.
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renter-friendly influencers to follow
Once you’ve browsed this ultimate list, you’ll be prepared to make your rental feel more like home one hack at a time. And to help you during your home upgrades, explore this Amazon Renter-Friendly Must-Haves & Dècor List to find what you need for all your projects.
1. Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper: A Great Way to Infuse Elegance
Transform your living room or bedroom by creating an accent wall with peel-and-stick wallpaper. Opt for a floral pattern to bring nature indoors, infusing elegance and a fresh feel without altering the entire room.
2. Stick Tile for a Quick Upgrade
Upgrade your kitchen or bathroom with stick-on tiles. Replace outdated backsplash tiles with stick-on alternatives in a modern subway pattern, giving your small spaces a fresh look.
3. Command Hooks and Command Strips: No-Drill Decor Delights
Hang your favorite wall art in the living room with command hooks. Showcase a variety of framed pictures, creating an accent wall that makes the best use of your rental home’s available space.
4. Open Shelving: Maximizing Living Space
Install open shelving in your rental kitchen to maximize space. Display your favorite dishes and glassware, making the best use of limited space while adding an attractive accent to your living space.
5. Battery-Operated Wall Sconces: Illuminating Style without Wiring
Place battery-operated wall sconces on either side of your living room’s fireplace. These elegant fixtures bring sophistication and lighting, creating a cozy ambiance without the need for power tools or wiring.
6. Removable Wallpaper for a Quick Change
Experiment with removable wallpaper in your rental bathroom. Give it a modern twist with a geometric pattern or a soothing oceanic design. It’s an easy way to change the space’s vibe without making permanent alterations.
7. White Walls: A Clean Canvas for Your Rental
Embrace the blank canvas of white walls in your rental living room. Let your personality shine through with colorful accents, cushions, and decor. It’s a simple and effective way to make your space feel like home.
8. Floor Lamps: Illuminating Style with Minimal Commitment
Place a sleek floor lamp with an elegant design next to your reading nook or workspace in the living room. It adds visual appeal and functional lighting without requiring any permanent changes.
9. Temporary Wallpaper for a Refreshing Look
Experiment with temporary wallpaper in your rental bedroom. Go for a soothing, nature-inspired pattern to create a calm atmosphere. You’ll be amazed at the huge difference it makes in your space.
10. Faux Plants: Green Accents for Limited Space
Adorn your rental apartment with lifelike faux plants. Place them strategically in different rooms to create a lush atmosphere, even in a space with limited square footage.
11. Wall Art: Adding Personality with Ease
Elevate your rental’s living room with wall art. A combination of framed art, mirrors, and canvas prints can add a personal touch to your living space, making it feel like home.
12. Wall Decals: Artistic Freedom without Commitment
Decorate your children’s bedroom with removable wall decals featuring their favorite characters. These decals are an excellent way to personalize the space while adapting to changing tastes.
13. Removable Cabinet Hardware: A Kitchen Transformation
Revamp your kitchen’s look by replacing cabinet handles and knobs with stylish, removable alternatives. This quick update can bring a fresh aesthetic to your rental’s kitchen without causing permanent changes.
14. Adhesive Hooks: Handy and Stylish
Use adhesive hooks to hang your collection of coffee mugs in the kitchen. Not only are they functional, but they also add a stylish touch to the limited space in your rental.
15. Removable Window Film: Privacy with a View
Enhance privacy in your bathroom while allowing natural light to filter in by applying frosted window film. It’s a perfect solution for maintaining your rental’s exterior appearance.
16. Temporary Bookshelves: Creating Personal Libraries
Install temporary bookshelves in your rental’s home office. They’re a versatile storage solution for displaying your book collection and adding a personalized touch to your workspace.
17. Temporary Floating Desks: Flexible Workspace Solutions
Create a home office that can adapt to your needs by installing temporary floating desks. These fold-away desks keep your living space versatile and functional without making permanent changes.
18. Picture Frames: Timeless Personalization
Showcase your cherished family photos by creating a gallery wall in your rental living room. Mix and match different sizes and styles of picture frames to personalize your space.
19. Removable Ceiling Hooks: Elegant Canopy Dreams
Create an ethereal atmosphere in your bedroom by hanging sheer curtains from removable ceiling hooks. They offer a dreamy canopy-like experience that’s easy to install and remove.
20. Traditional Wallpaper: The Timeless Aesthetic
Embrace traditional wallpaper to create a vintage look in your rental’s dining room. Opt for a classic pattern to infuse elegance into your space while preserving its traditional charm.
21. Gallery Walls: A Refined Decor Idea
Arrange a gallery wall in your rental’s hallway. Use a mix of artwork, photos, and mirrors to create a sophisticated display that transforms an otherwise plain area.
22. Peel-and-Stick Wood Planks: Rustic Charm Without Commitment
Add a touch of rustic charm to your rental bedroom by using peel-and-stick wood planks to create a headboard. This DIY project enhances the room’s ambiance without permanent changes.
23. Magnetic Spice Racks: Efficient Kitchen Storage
Free up counter space in your kitchen by attaching magnetic spice racks to the side of your refrigerator. It’s an efficient way to store spices and keep them within arm’s reach.
24. Removable Cabinet Liners: Fresh and Clean Cabinets
Line your kitchen cabinets with removable cabinet liners that come in stylish designs. They keep your cabinets fresh and organized while adding a touch of color and texture.
25. Removable Backsplash Tiles: Effortless Kitchen Upgrade
Revamp your kitchen’s appearance with removable backsplash tiles in a modern subway pattern or an eye-catching mosaic. This temporary change instantly modernizes your culinary space.
26. Removable Floating Plant Shelves: Green Oasis in Your Rental
Create an indoor garden in your rental by installing removable floating plant shelves. These shelves allow you to showcase a variety of plants, turning your space into a lush, green oasis.
27. Peel-and-Stick Cork Boards: Functional Wall Accents
Cover an entire wall in your home office with peel-and-stick cork boards. It provides an organized space for notes, to-do lists, and inspirations while adding texture and warmth to the room.
28. Temporary Ceiling Fans: Breezy Living Spaces
Install temporary ceiling fans in your rental’s living room to stay cool during the summer months. These fans offer comfort without permanent installations.
29. Removable Floating Media Console: Space-Saving Elegance
Save space in your living room by adding a removable floating media console. It combines functionality with elegance, creating a sleek and organized entertainment area.
30. Removable Floating Entertainment Unit: Style and Function
Elevate your rental’s living room with a removable floating entertainment unit. It keeps your TV and media devices organized while adding a modern touch to the space.
31. Temporary Wall Murals: Artistic Expressions
Enhance your rental’s living room by adding a temporary wall mural. It transforms the room into a gallery-like space with a striking focal point that can be easily removed.
32. Removable Cabinet Liners: Fresh and Clean Cabinets
Keep your rental kitchen cabinets fresh and clean by adding removable cabinet liners, which also come in stylish designs to enhance the aesthetics.
33. Temporary Bookshelves: Customized Storage Solutions
Install temporary bookshelves in your rental’s home office to store your book collection, creating a customized library corner without the need for permanent changes.
34. Peel-and-Stick Cork Boards: Functional Wall Accents
Cover your home office wall with peel-and-stick cork boards, providing an organized space for notes, to-do lists, and inspirations, all while adding texture and warmth.
35. Magnetic Curtain Rods: Functional and Elegant Window Treatments
Hang elegant curtains in your living room using magnetic curtain rods, allowing you to enjoy privacy and aesthetics without drilling holes.
36. Removable Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles: Timeless Charm
Add a touch of elegance to your dining room by applying removable faux tin ceiling tiles, creating a vintage-inspired look with a modern twist.
37. Temporary Floating Plant Shelves: Green Oases
Design a lush indoor garden by installing temporary floating plant shelves, turning your rental into a green oasis with minimal fuss.
38. Removable Light Switch Covers: Personalized Touch
Replace standard light switch covers with removable alternatives that match your decor style, adding a personalized touch to your rental space.
39. Rental-Friendly Flooring Options: Transform Your Space
Cover the outdated flooring in your rental kitchen with peel-and-stick floor tiles that mimic the look of hardwood. This quick update adds warmth and a touch of luxury to your space.
40. Revamp Your Rental’s Entryway: First Impressions Matter
Give your rental’s front door a fresh look with a coat of paint that complements the exterior color palette. Add a decorative wreath and new hardware for an inviting entryway.
41. Renter-Friendly Decorative Panels: Style Your Space
Enhance your rental’s bathroom with decorative wall panels that mimic the look of traditional tiles. They’re easy to install and provide an elegant, spa-like atmosphere.
42. Rent-Friendly Temporary Countertops: A Kitchen Upgrade
Transform your rental kitchen with removable, adhesive-backed countertops that offer a granite or marble appearance. It’s a cost-effective way to update your culinary space.
43. Renter-Friendly Storage Solutions: Maximize Space
Install over-the-door storage solutions on the pantry and closet doors in your rental. They create additional storage space without damaging the doors or walls.
44. Renter-Friendly Shower Updates: Bathroom Bliss
Upgrade your rental’s bathroom with a high-quality, tension-mounted shower rod. It provides a luxurious, hotel-like feel without making any permanent changes.
45. Renter-Friendly Furniture Arrangement: Define Spaces
Use modular sofas and large area rugs to define distinct living areas in your open-concept rental. This flexible furniture arrangement creates a sense of space and intimacy without altering the floorplan.
So know we know — making your rental space feel like home doesn’t have to entail costly renovations or permanent changes. These 45 rental- friendly home renovation hacks are your key to transforming your living space into an elegant sanctuary that reflects your style. Embrace the freedom to experiment, to add a touch of sophistication, and to truly make your rental property your own. Your living space is a canvas, and you are the interior designer, ready to unveil the beauty within.
So go ahead, embrace these renter-friendly upgrades and watch your rental space transform from ordinary to extraordinary. Create a home that resonates with your personality and enjoy the feeling of belonging every time you walk through your front door. These hacks demonstrate that elegance and sophistication can coexist with flexibility and convenience. Welcome to a new era of rental living, where every small detail counts, and your living space reflects the refined aesthetics of a home designed by an experienced interior designer.
Elevate your rental and celebrate the elegance of your living space, take your rental property from ordinary to extraordinary, and savor the comfort and style of a home that’s truly yours. It’s a journey worth embarking on, one that balances aesthetics, functionality, and freedom from the constraints of traditional home ownership. Enjoy the journey, and celebrate the refined style that you’ve brought into your rental property.
