Want to learn how to upgrade a rental apartment like a pro? Here are 12 sure-fire ways to instantly elevate a boring rental apartment without losing your security deposit in the process!
If you're moving into your very first apartment, it can be super challenging to find the right solutions that'll beautify your space without causing damage to the property.
As someone who has experimented with TONS of stuff, I think I've finally figured out what the most trustworthy rental apartment decorating ideas are, that are reversible, temporary & budget-friendly as well!
So if you wanna learn the 12 best ideas on how to upgrade a rental apartment, definitely keep reading!
HOW TO UPGRADE A RENTAL APARTMENT
01. Swap out basic faucets
Nasty looking, outdated faucets are LITERALLY the worst! And somehow our landlors always seem to find the tackiest choices ever. So if you want the best for your rental apartment, please swap out those ugly faucets ASAP!
Whether it's a nice brushed nickel, gold, black or silver faucet, it's sure to make your rental apartment look at least 10 times cuter! And it's a super easy, reversible change, so you won't have to worry about losing your security deposit either!
02. Try peel & stick floor tiles
When I moved into my tiny rental, the first thing I noticed was how shabby the flooring looked! The floors were covered in scratches & stains EVERYWHERE, but especially in my kitchen. AND if that wasn't enough already, they were also treated incorrectly & started hogging.
Now I know that you're probably not in a rosier situation either! So here's my little secret: to cover all those nasty marks on your floors, and to also lend a little personality to your rental in the process, apply peel & stick floor tiles!
Ta-da, there you have brand new flooring on a dime!
03. Peel & stick wallpaper is a staple!
I know you've probably heard of peel & stick wallpaper, but they are just SOO good that I had to put them on this list! In fact, this is one of my all time favourite ideas on how to upgrade a rental apartment!
And once you experience the magic they do, you'll also fall in love with them! Not only are they super affordable & easy to get your hands on, but they'll also make sure you don't lose your security deposit while trying to make your rental look good!
See, unlike using paint, using peel & stick wallpaper is a reversible transformation & won't cause any damage / unwanted alteration to the property!
04. Decorate with rugs
Feeling like you have too many restrictions in a rental apartment? There's a SUPER easy way to instantly enhance your rental apartment design, and if you guessed rugs, you're right!
Whether you want to layer multiple rugs or not, it's SOO simple to both structure & decorate your space with rugs! Trust me, high quality area rugs are worth every penny!
If you ask me, the ultimate best choice for every interior style is a nice distressed area rug! Those are eventful enough to make your stare, but still simple enough to not overcrowd your space visually!
05. Beautify old furniture with contact paper
If your rental apartment has tons of old furniture, this idea is for you! I know exactly how disgusting old pieces can be, especially if you can see the marks of the years & incorrect treatment on them!
So I'm gonna let you on a little secret! One of the MOST effective ideas on how to upgrade a rental apartment like a pro is to use contact paper to bring old furniture to life again!
Just look at the photo above for inspiration! That wood finish contact paper looks so good on that cabinet! But if you want to, go with something bolder: pink, navy or emerald green furniture looks cool too!
This way, you can both easily personalize your rented apartment AND disguise nasty surfaces.
06. Change the shower system
This one might be a little controversial, but it's one of the BEST changes I've ever done to my rental apartment, so I feel like I have to include it in this list!
And that is, to replace your shower system! Although this is also a reversible transformation, I HIGHLY suggest you contact your landlord before doing anything, just in case!
But trust me, getting rid of an old, basic shower system will make your rental apartment bathroom look more modern & elegant!
07. Apply curtains in a renter-friendly way
Window treatments are a MUST! Every interior designer swears by high quality window treatments, and so do I!
And no, you don't have to lose your security deposit trying to install curtain rods! There are many renter-friendly ways as to how to upgrade a rental apartment using window treatments, but the easiest one EVER is to get self-adhesive curtain rod brackets! They don't damage the walls & you'll also have cute curtains thanks to them!
08. Change the lamp shades ASAP
Another extremely simple, yet impactful change you can make in a rental apartment, is to change all the lamp shades! No, I'm not talking about the light fixtures, ONLY the shades!
There are TONS of cute lamp shades you can choose from, but I think boho lamp shades are literally the BEST! Since they're made out of natural materials, like rattan, they can beautify any room without being too flashy.
So go ahead & change basic lamp shades ASAP in every room!
09. Switch out old hardware
This is one of the most useful ideas on how to upgrade a rental apartment you'll EVER learn! And that is, to switch out all your old hardware!
And I mean switch them out EVERYWHERE! It's quite the change, I know, but it'll make a rental apartment seem more elevated without breaking the bank OR causing any damage!
So go & switch out your old hardware on kitchen cabinets, console tables, bathroom cabinets! Use modern silver, industrial black metal or an evergreen gold set of drawer pulls, knobs & handles to bring basic pieces to life again!
10. Get a removable kitchen backsplash
If you feel like your rental apartment kitchen needs a little refreshing, definitely get a removable tile backsplash!
Whether it's a set of moroccan, hexagon, fish scale or picket tiles, a cute peel & stick tile backsplash will never fail to instantly elevate a shabby rental kitchen in a temporary, reversible way!
11. Freshen up countertops
You can use contact paper for multiple purposes! Apart from beautifying old furniture, they can also spruce up a ragged countertop full of stains, marks & cuts!
So why not get a high quality marble or high gloss contact paper & apply it onto your countertops? The results will be astonishing!
However, I gotta mention that even though using contact paper is a reversible change, it's pretty hard to remove it, especially if it's on the surface for YEARS! So definitely don't jump right into it, think it through!
12. Replace switch plates
Wanna make a big impact on a low budget? Change your switch plates!
Even though this is a very renter-friendly upgrade, you'll want to be very cautious! Because in order to remove the old switch plates, you'll have to turn of the power so that you don't get shocked!
Remove the screws with a screwdriver & pop your new, shiny gold or silver metallic plate on the outlet! Secure it with screws & you're done! If you're not sure how to do it, definitely contact an electrician!
This post was all about the best ideas on how to upgrade a rental apartment.
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