If you’ve ever lived in a rental, you probably know the struggles of infusing style into a blank and possibly uninspired canvas. You’re all too familiar with the landlord special, and boob lights are the expectation, not the exception.
But that doesn’t mean you have to live without style in your space. There are renter-friendly upgrades you can make in your home that won’t threaten your security deposit but will make a big impact on your day-to-day life. (Aren’t we all just happier when our space is prettier?)
Want to try making your rental house a home? Here are the projects one designer says everyone should try to upgrade their space.
Switch out your hardware.
If your cabinets have boring, builder-grade hardware (which they probably do!), switch out the knobs and pulls for something with personality. You can find hardware inexpensively online or at a salvage store. This is a quick, easy project that takes just a few minutes.
Add battery-operated sconces.
Hardwiring sconces into a rental is usually a no-go, but adding battery operated sconces? That’s a resounding yes. Use battery-operated sconces like Poplights to add both a warm, welcoming glue and a moment of color and style to your walls.
“Portable lights offer flexible lighting for any space,” says Paulina Hospod, president at AhA!nteriors. “Ideal for renters, they require no installation and can be easily moved when changing apartments.”
Try a peel-and-stick backsplash.
Rentals aren’t known for their designer tile backsplashes (if you have peeling paint over your stove, you’re not alone). Thankfully, a peel-and-stick backsplash is easy to install, and it will cover up a myriad of kitchen sins. Take advantage of its temporary nature, and install a colorful, quirky backsplash. You can always switch it up next time you move.
Wallpaper a room.
The beauty of peel and stick is that it actually does peel off when you’re done with it. While accent walls used to be the go-to wallpaper look, why not try a full room? Choose a space with angles to make it easier on yourself. And, while you’re at it, start with the wall you would do if you were choosing an accent wall — that way, if you decide to call it a day after the first wall, you still have an intentional look.
Hang drapery.
If you have the renter special blinds, it might not be worth the risk of taking them down and trying to reinstall them when you move out. However, you can add style to your windows by hanging drapery on top of the blinds. Hang the curtain rod as close to the ceiling as you can, then choose dramatic, to-the-floor drapery that will bring a bold look to your space.
Swap out other lighting.
Whether you have basic electrical skills or a basic hire-someone-off-Thumbtack budget, swapping out lighting is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make in a rental. It’s a bit more of an investment than some of the other upgrades, but if you have lighting that is a focal point in a room — think a chandelier or a bedroom overhead light — the swap can totally change the look of your space.
