Are you tired of your boring rental apartment? Spice things up with these 14 life-changing apartment decorating ideas for renters that'll spruce up your space without risking your security deposit!
Renting an apartment can be a drag when you can't make any permanent changes to the space.
But just because you're a renter doesn't mean you can't create a home that reflects your personal style and makes you feel happy and comfortable!
That's why I've compiled a list of easy-to-do, and easily reversible apartment decorating ideas for renters that will help you transform your apartment into a stylish and cozy oasis without breaking the bank or risking your security deposit!
Get ready to say goodbye to those bland white walls and hello to a home that truly feels like YOU!
THE BEST APARTMENT DECORATING IDEAS FOR RENTERS
01. Embelish those boring walls with peel & stick wallpaper!
Transforming a rental apartment has never been easier with the power of peel and stick wallpaper!
With endless designs and patterns to choose from, ranging from solid colors to polka dots or flowers, you can create a space that truly reflects YOUR personal style.
Say goodbye to boring, drab walls and hello to a statement-making accent wall that will leave your guests in awe! The best part? It's a temporary solution, meaning you won't have to worry about losing your security deposit and you can easily experiment & try multiple different designs without leaving any marks!
02. Wrap old furniture in contact paper
Are you tired of old, stained furniture cramping your style in your rental apartment? Then say hello to your new secret weapon: contact paper!
This affordable and versatile material allows you to completely transform your furniture, from kitchen cabinets to dresser or nightstands in just minutes! From sleek marble to funky floral prints, the possibilities are endless.
Not only does contact paper hide unsightly stains and scratches that previous tenants might have left for you, but it also adds a pop of personality to your space.
No need to invest in new furniture or break the bank on pricey upholstery. Simply wrap your old pieces in contact paper and voila! You'll have a fresh and fabulous living space that you'll be proud to call home!
03. Swap out the hardware
Giving your rental apartment a much needed facelift without violating the lease is SO hard! But here you, I'll let you on a little secret: swapping out those nasty knobs, pulls & drawers is one of the most efficient apartment decorating ideas for renters EVER!
Swapping out those outdated knobs and handles is a quick and easy way to elevate your living space -from your bathroom to your kitchen! Even your entryway console table/dresser will look 10 times better if you change the hardware on it!
From a sleek and modern black metal to a vintage and whimsical brushed nickel, the possibilities are endless. Hardware is like the jewelry of your home, and changing it up can make a huge impact.
With just a few twists and turns, you can transform your kitchen and bathroom cabinets into stunning statement pieces. There's absolutely no need to drill new holes: just unscrew the current hardware & place the new ones into the already existing holes, and you're done!
Feast your eyes on the 60 most stunning, budget-friendly cabinet hardware right here!
04. Decorate with mirrors
Instantly brighten up your rental apartment & create the illusion of a more expansive space with something as simple as a mirror!
Mirros have magical powers when it comes to decorating! So make sure you hang a few wall mirrors using double sided tape, or prop a few full lenght mirrors against painfully empty walls in EVERY room!
Because these versatile and stylish accessories not only reflect natural light, but they also add depth and dimension to any room! And they're super affordable, easy to install & can be moved from location to location with ease!
05. DIY a wood panel accent wall
I know, this might seem controversial at first! How could YOU, as a RENTER DIY a wood panel wall?! Well, there are always renter-friendly solutions out there, and I'm showing you the most apartment friendly way to create a cute accent wall you'll love!
Okay, so the key is that instead of drilling & putting nails in the walls, you gotta be using double sided tape! At least 3 bigger strips for each piece of wood! Arrange them to your liking: in a straight line or a more abstract pattern!
And don't worry, it won't leave marks and it's also a quite durable solution so you don't have to worry about the pieces falling off the wall!
For maximum results, I suggest you cover your chosen wall with a solid colored peel & stick wallpaper before applying the pieces. AND I also want you to cover your wood pieces with the exact same wallpaper, so that it seems like both the wall & the wood has been painted.
06. Cover flooring with peel & stick floor tiles
Whether you're looking to cover stains & scratches from previous tenants, or just want to lend your apartment a more personalized look, using peel & stick floor tiles to cover your floors will be one of the most useful apartment decorating ideas for renters for you on this list!
From classic black & white patterns to bold, geometric patterns, the possibilities are basically endless!
What I love about peel & stick floor tiles the most however, is that they can be installed super quickly & you can also remove them SO easily! They don't leave any permanent marks. Meaning you won't violate your lease or lose your security deposit just because you wanted to make your space feel like YOU!
07. Use LED strip lights to elevate the space
Get ready to add some serious ambiance to your rental apartment with the magic of LED strip lights! These versatile and affordable accessories allow you to create custom lighting effects that will elevate your living space to a whole new level!
Install under your kitchen cabinets & bathroom cabinets, but they'll also look good under wall shelves & in between shelves of a bookcase.
So whether you want to highlight architectural features or provide perfect surface lighting for your work surfaces, LED strip lights have got you covered! They're super affordable, but will lend your home such a stunning ambience!
08. Switch out those boring lampshades
It's most DEFINITELY time to switch up your lampshades! If your landlord is as cheap as mine, you probably have some disgusting, outdated glass lampshades.
But I'm telling you, you don't wanna keep looking at them forever!
Lend your space a little personality by switching out your lampshades. A nice lampshade can easily change the vibe of an entire room without you having to change the whole light fixture -which is not only super hard to do alone, BUT it also requires a bit of drilling & assembling. And this will possibly cost you your security deposit!
Here I'm only talking about changing the shades, which is such a simple thing to do! If you want a boho vibe, go for a rattan lampshade. If you want something more modern, try a sleek metal or glass shade. The choice is yours, really!
09. Use linens to your advantage
Get creative with using linens, throw pillows & throw blankets! Incorporating them into your design is probably of the most clever apartment decorating ideas for renters, so make sure you ACTUALLY use them to your advantage!
A proper set of throw pillows, blankets & a high quality bedding are long-term investments! You'll be able to take them to your next rental apartment, so you definitely won't feel like you've flushed a ton of money down the toilet!
But let's not rush ahead!
These versatile accessories are the ultimate way to add color, texture, and personality to your current living space. Whether you opt for bold prints and patterns or soft neutrals, these cozy accents will make your apartment feel like a home! Plus, they're affordable and easy to swap out with the seasons or your mood!
10. Curtains can be installed in a renter friendly way!
Add some elegance & an airy vibe to your rental apartment by installing some curtains! Oh, did I mention that you can easily do that without damaging your walls?
You'll only need some command curtain rod hooks! They're easy to install on your walls & are perfect for holding a curtain rod! They're more durable than you'd think!
So make sure you get some high-quality window treatments for each room! With a wide range of fabrics, colors, and patterns to choose from, you can customize your curtains to fit your personal style and taste.
Plus, by adding curtains to your rental apartment, you'll create a cozy and intimate atmosphere that will make your space feel like home. You'll also get a sense of privacy, which is another plus!
11. Get a new headboard
If you have a drab & boring bed with an even more boring headboard, or you don't even have a headboard, this is for you! Get a new headboard, ASAP!
In my opinion, a headboard is the perfect way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your rental apartment without breaking the bank or making you lose your security deposit!
And yes, something as simple as this will result in an impressive transformation, making your bedroom feel like that of a 5 star hotel!
So choose whichever you like! A rattan woven headboard will bring in serious cozy vibes, a large upholstered tufted hearboard will make your bedroom look super chic & a wooden one will elegantly enhance your bedroom design!
12. Use double sided tape for hanging art
No apartment is ever complete without art, even if it's a rented apartment! I know, some of you are not allowed to even put a nail in the wall, which is so sad! But I'm here to tell you that by using double sided tape to hand art, you can easily personalize your space without leaving any marks behind!
That's why I find it to be one of the best apartment decorating ideas for renters!
So create a stunning gallery wall, frame your favourite family photos & display them or hang your favourite paintings on an awkwardly empty wall!
13. Use statement rugs as decoration
Looking for a quick and easy way to add some personality and style to your rental apartment?
Look no further than statement rugs! Bold & eye-catching rugs are the perfect way to add some color and texture to any room in your apartment without damaging the property!
Whether you layer them or let them shine on their own, a cute boho rug with minimal pattern or a more modern acid wash rug will make your interior look 10 times better!
This post was all about the best apartment decorating ideas for renters.
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