8 Renter-Friendly Design Tips To Make Your Space Feel Like Home

I’ve lived in rented homes most of my adult life. In my early 20s, I didn’t think it was worth the effort to personalize a rented home – it was a temporary space, so why bother? However, over time, I realized I didn’t feel relaxed or comfortable in my own home. Beige walls, overhead lighting and a thrown-together look Furniture And decorating made me restless. Learning how to turn my rented apartment into a home was the beginning of my love affair with interior design.

8 interior design tips for renters

Through trial and error, I have found that living in a rented home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or personal space, just because you don’t have your own home. There are a lot of things you can do – paint and upgrading everything from wallpaper to fixtures and lighting. Ahead, I’ve gathered the best interior design tips for renters from my personal experience transforming beige boxes into warm and stylish homes.

paint

Rental walls usually come in a safe, neutral beige color that might look… well, a little boring. The best interior design tip for renters I can give is to treat your walls with love. Give them a makeover by adding a little color or choosing a neutral color that works best for you. Changing your walls from beige to a crisp white will also brighten up your space considerably. Most landlords don’t have a problem with paint as long as you’re willing to paint the walls back to the original color after you move out, or they might let you keep it.

One of my favorite things to paint is the inside of my front door. My current landlord, as well as my previous landlord, said I could leave it like that when it was time to move out. I love pink, so my front door is Sherwin-Williams Coral Perfection. It’s such an adorable color that makes me smile every time I see it. Plus, it makes our entryway feel cheerful and inviting. The whole project came in at less than $20 – proving that paint is an affordable way to make a big impact in your space.

Peel and Stick Products

A list of interior design tips for renters wouldn’t be complete without giving prominence to peel and stick products. Peel and stick are incredible for renters, as they are temporary solutions to larger projects that usually require renovations. Here are some of my favorites.

peel and stick wallpaper

If painting isn’t possible, peel and stick wallpaper is a great option for decorating your walls. I’m a big fan of applying peel and stick wallpaper to any space you like. Create a statement wall in your living room or make your powder room pop with a bold color or pattern. I’ve applied peel and stick wallpaper to my kitchen, my laundry room, and most recently, my home office.

The wallpaper has completely transformed these spaces, and I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out. Plus, the removable wallpaper is super easy – there was no damage to my wall when I removed the peel and stick wallpaper. There are plenty of installation videos on YouTube that you can watch, but I will say from personal experience that it’s not that easy. extremely It’s as simple as it sounds. Don’t be afraid to hire TaskRabbit or Wallpaper Pro to get the job done!

peel and stick floor tile

Flooring for renters can range anywhere from vinyl to tile and even hardwood. Peel and stick floor tiles now make it possible for renters to update their flooring in a temporary and affordable way. I have never tried them myself, but peel and stick floor tiles look great in a kitchen or powder room. They can make an old floor look modern without spending a lot.

Clean your floor thoroughly and let dry before applying them, and map out the tiles before gluing them to the floor. There are tons of color options available, from checkerboard tile to starburst. And like any renter-friendly project, check with your landlord and be prepared for removal when it’s time to move out!

peel and stick backsplash

One day when I have an unlimited budget for my own home, I will install beautiful tile in my kitchen. Until then, a peel and stick backsplash will do. It is totally possible to update a rental kitchen without a major renovation. Peel and stick backsplashes range from thin sheets to peel and stick ceramic tile, so you can choose what works best for you, your budget, and your rental.

Be sure to look for a peel and stick backsplash that is heat and water resistant, and make sure the product is suitable for your specific project. Peel and stick tiles are not only suitable for kitchen backsplashes, but also for bathroom vanities, fireplaces, and laundry rooms, etc.

Add Puck Lights

Overhead lighting is my personal nemesis. Instead of relying on large overhead lights, add both table and standing lamps throughout your rental home. This will create a much more cozy atmosphere. For an even more cozy feel, use puck lights. These battery-operated lights often come with sticky adhesive, so you can place them under cabinets for beautiful accent lighting that looks especially lovely at night.

Puck lights also make wall sconces renter-friendly, with no hardwiring required. Sconce lighting instantly elevates your space and can add a cozy, personal lighting effect to your entryway, bedside, or framed art or pictures.

Update the lighting

Ah, the dreaded boob light. Most rental homes are filled with them, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay. One interior design tip for renters that many people don’t know about is that it is possible to update lighting fixtures. You can do it yourself (just make sure to turn off all the breakers!) or call in an electrician. I replaced an old dining room light fixture with a woven pendant that’s much closer to my style and it makes a huge difference in our space.

I’m considering replacing my overhead entryway lights and even the bathroom light fixtures. Personalized lighting fixtures can take a boring, neutral space and make it full of character. Just be prepared to take your incredible vintage chandelier with you when it’s time to move out.

Upgrade your shower head

There’s nothing more frustrating than a shower with poor water pressure. My current home had a handheld shower head that had a very light flow of water. I don’t like shower heads that come apart and the water pressure wasn’t right for me. A simple swap couldn’t be easier, and I now have a spa-like shower with water pressure that suits me. Most shower heads can be removed by simply unscrewing them, and I had my fixed shower head installed in minutes.

Read more: We tested the viral Jolie shower head – these are our honest thoughts,

Replace your switch plate

The little things in your home are everything. Even the smallest changes can make an impact in your space. One of my favorites is changing out switch plates. Your tenant’s switch plates probably match the beige walls, which isn’t all that exciting. But there are many decorative options to choose from depending on your aesthetic.

Decorative switch plates usually don’t cost more than $20, and they come in brass finishes, different colors and prints, and some even have a wavy perimeter. Switch plates don’t come with matching screws, but applying a little nail polish to the top is an easy way to blend the screws in with the rest of the plate.