I’ve rented apartments my whole adult life and I spent years feeling like I couldn’t actually decorate because I didn’t own the space.
I’d just leave walls blank and furniture minimal because I didn’t want to make holes or change anything.
Then I realized renters CAN decorate. You just have to be smart about it.
No permanent changes. No damage. Just temporary solutions that make your space feel like home.
Once I figured out the tricks, my rental apartment transformed.
Same walls. Same layout. But it felt like MY space instead of just somewhere I was temporarily living.
Renter-friendly decor: removable wallpaper, damage-free wall hangers, rugs, plants, curtains, temporary lighting, removable adhesive hangers. Transform without damage. Everything is reversible.
This is the main thing. How do you hang stuff without making holes your landlord will care about.
Removable adhesive strips that hold lightweight items. Work on any surface. Leave no damage when removed.
For art, lightweight mirrors, shelves (lightweight ones).
Weight limit is important. Don’t hang heavy stuff.
Install curtains or hang things without drilling. Works in most doorways and windows.
No permanent installation. Remove and go.
Transform walls completely with no damage.
Remove easily without damaging paint or wallpaper underneath.
Tons of patterns and colors available.
Strips instead of nails that don’t damage walls.
Work for medium-weight art.
Use furniture placement and styling instead of wall decor.
Shelving units, bookcases, side tables styled nicely.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper completely transforms a rental space.
You can do one accent wall or multiple walls.
Remove when you move. Leave no damage.
Brands: Spoonflower, RoomMates, Bihag, Amazon
Prices: €20-80 depending on how many walls
This is probably the single best renter-friendly decor investment.
One accent wall in peel-and-stick wallpaper changes the whole vibe.
A good rug makes a space feel intentional and defined.
Renters can put down as many rugs as they want (assuming landlord approves which they usually do).
Rugs define spaces. Rugs add color or pattern. Rugs cover ugly flooring.
Rugs are perfectly renter-friendly.
Bad lighting makes any space feel depressing.
Add lamps instead of relying on overhead lights.
Floor lamps. Table lamps. String lights.
All plug in. All removable.
Changing lighting transforms a space more than you’d expect.
Plants add life to a space literally.
Renter-friendly (your landlord probably doesn’t care about plants).
Transform bare corners. Add color. Improve air quality.
Low-maintenance plants: pothos, snake plant, ZZ plant, monstera.
Pots in coordinating colors. Plants in corners. Done.
Basic rental apartments have basic blinds or nothing on windows.
Nice curtains frame windows and change the whole room.
Hang with tension rods. No holes needed.
Colors and textures add design.
Curtains are one of the easiest renter-friendly changes.
Home Depot has a whole section of renter-friendly options.
Removable wallpaper. Damage-free hangers. Temporary solutions.
Prices are reasonable. Quality is solid.
If you’re renting and want to decorate, Home Depot is actually great because they get renter needs.
Lean items against walls:
Art leaning on a shelf or against a wall looks intentional and requires no hanging.
Use furniture to frame:
Gallery wall effect but with items on shelves or propped on furniture.
Wall stickers and decals:
Removable. No damage. Add visual interest.
Tapestries:
Hung with tension rods or removable hooks. Transform entire walls.
Large mirrors:
Hung with command strips. Add light and visual space.
Living Room:
Rug defining space. Floor lamp adding light. Plants in corners. Removable wallpaper on one wall. Curtains framing windows.
Bedroom:
Removable wallpaper as accent wall. Plants. Curtains. Damage-free art hangers. Rug under bed.
Kitchen:
Removable wallpaper. Nice curtains. Plants on windowsill. Rugs in high-traffic areas.
Bathroom:
Removable wallpaper. Better lighting with lamps. Plants. Shower curtain in nice color/pattern.
Total: €470 transforms a rental completely.
Usually no. It leaves no damage. Check your lease but most landlords don’t mind.
Some landlords allow tenant paint but you have to repaint before moving. Usually not worth it for renters.
Depends on landlord. Some allow with damage-free shelves. Some don’t. Check your lease.
TV mount brackets with adhesive exist but for renters, a TV stand is often better than wall mounting.
Depends on the product but usually 5-15 lbs. Check the package. Don’t hang heavy art.
Renting doesn’t mean living in a blank space.
You can decorate around the restrictions.
Removable solutions exist. They’re affordable. They work.
Transform your rental into a space that feels like home.
When you move, everything comes with you.
Are you renting? What’s your renter-friendly decor hack? Tell me in the comments!