I’ve been apartment-living for over 10 years now. My first one was 600 square feet, the second was 750, and now we’ve moved on up to 1,100. The apartment is the perfect size for my city-dwelling family of three, but not the most perfect size for my love of DIYing, upgrading, and keeping up with trends. (The struggle to manage my urge to re-do things constantly whilst battling against clutter is REAL.) So over the past year, I’ve started focusing on renter-friendly upgrades we can do within our home to add style and personality without pissing off our landlord (or causing any irreversible damage).
As it turns out, there are actually tons of renter-friendly projects you can do in a rental to make it feel more like you. To be on the safe side, just be sure to check with your landlord before making any changes. Whether you tackle these on your own or call in a trusty pro like I did, these renter-friendly upgrades are sure to make you fall in love with your space all over again.
1. Switch out your light fixtures
If you have boring, standard-issue flush mounts or hanging lights in your apartment, these fixtures are usually easy enough to swap out. To replace the ugly, stainless-steel flush-mount fixture in my apartment, I swapped in an affordable, oversized woven chandelier that totally transformed my living room. In the kitchen, I found pendant covers that were a bit easier on the eyes than the frosted white cylinders my unit originally came with. Just make sure you save the original fixtures for when it comes time to move out.
Also important to note: My building required me to use a certified electrician (which I found on TaskRabbit), and I highly recommend going this route for peace of mind.
2. Add battery-operated sconces
Installing new lighting where there’s currently none isn’t typically something you’d take on in a rental. Complex electrical work is best left to the pros, after all. But with the help of stick-on, battery-operated wall sconces, you can completely change the ambiance in your place in literally minutes. This renter-friendly hack seriously helped me to step up my lighting game without any drilling, wiring, or mess.
I used these lights from Amazon, which are even removable and portable so they work as handy little nightlights when my daughter wakes up in the middle of the night. They click back into place magnetically and easily recharge—plus, you can turn them on and off manually or use the automatic motion sensor. Peel and stick them on the side of your bed, near your favorite artwork, or anywhere else that needs a bit of sprucing.
3. Paint a bold accent wall
Color can change everything. And while a lot of rentals are OK with painting (some may make you paint it back before you move out), it’s always important to check first. Once you’ve got the green light, adding a bold or bright color can add warmth and dimension to your home without committing to painting the entire place, or even the entire room. Pick one wall that you want to stand out, paint it (or have a pro do it), and then style it with photos and artwork that are aligned with your vibe. I promise, one accent wall can change the feel of your entire place.
Source: @reserve_home
4. Experiment with peel-and-stick wallpaper
Afraid of committing to a paint color? Try peel-and-stick wallpaper instead. Whether you go for a solid color or a bold, eye-catching pattern, peel-and-stick wallpaper can bring new life into your space. And it’s not just for walls! You can use it pretty much anywhere—in your closet, on your ceiling, lining your drawers or cabinets, or even as a backsplash. Plus, it’s relatively easy to install (though I personally outsourced this project because I am annoyingly obsessed with details and know I’m not steady-handed enough to do it on my own).
5. Change up the flooring
No, I’m not suggesting you rip out the existing flooring and install new. But simply laying down a rug can totally change the look and feel of your space (and do a lot to camouflage ugly carpet, tile, or other flooring). Opt for a large area rug to totally disguise the existing floor, or use smaller accent rugs to cover problem areas. For a more involved solution, you could even put down peel-and-stick tile over top of the current tile or vinyl flooring. It’ll look like real tile, but you can easily peel it back up before you move out.
Source: @mycityapartment
6. Swap out the hardware on your cabinetry
All you really need to do to give your kitchen an immediate facelift is grab a screwdriver and some new hardware. Handles or drawer pulls are super easy to swap out and can make a huge difference. Anthropologie has some really cute decorative knobs, or you can also shop around at your local hardware shop or thrift store. Just keep the originals in a safe spot to easily switch them back!
7. Upgrade kitchen and bathroom fixtures
These renter-friendly upgrades are a little more involved, but swapping out fixtures in your kitchen and bathroom can be super impactful. The easiest option is to change out your showerhead for one with better water pressure or a nicer finish—all it typically takes is unscrewing the old one and tightening the new one on. For a larger upgrade, talk to your landlord about switching out the kitchen or bathroom faucet. Since this requires working with water supply lines, it’s best to have a pro handle this project unless you have some experience.
