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Renting doesn’t mean living with beige walls and builder-grade everything. These upgrades make a real difference and come off clean when you move out. Always check your lease first, and test anything adhesive on a hidden spot.
Rental friendly DIYs can be seriously intimidating. There are some that are much more high risk than others, but hey, you’re paying to live in that space, and you need to make the most of it. You can always fill in a patch of drywall, it’s not like your landlord isn’t doing the same thing. If your space needs something, use it. I love extra shelves, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, wherever there is underutilized space, do something with it!
Walls
Peel-and-stick wallpaper
One accent wall, the back of a bookshelf, or the inside of a closet. It’s the biggest visual change for the money. Smooth, painted walls work best.
Removable hooks and strips
Hang art, mirrors, and lightweight shelves without holes. Follow the weight limits exactly; this is where most renters get burned.
A big leaning mirror
No hanging at all. A floor mirror makes a small room look bigger and bounces light around.
Lighting
Plug-in wall sconces
Swap a harsh overhead light for a warm sconce that plugs into the wall. Cord covers in the wall color hide the cord.
Warm bulbs everywhere
Replace cool white bulbs with warm white (around 2700K). It’s the cheapest cozy upgrade there is.
Stick-on under-cabinet lights
Battery or rechargeable lights under kitchen cabinets make a dark rental kitchen usable.
Kitchen and bath
Swap the hardware
New cabinet knobs and pulls take a screwdriver and twenty minutes. Keep the old ones in a labeled bag and put them back before you move.
Peel-and-stick backsplash
Covers a dated backsplash. Best on smooth tile or painted drywall, away from direct stove heat.
A new shower head and curtain
Unscrew the old shower head, save it, and put in one you like. A long, heavy curtain hung high makes a small bathroom feel taller.
Floors
A big rug over ugly flooring
A large rug hides worn carpet or dated laminate and defines a space in a studio. Go bigger than you think you need.
Before you move out
Keep every original you removed (hardware, shower heads, bulbs) in one labeled box. Pull adhesive products slowly, straight down, the way the package says. That’s how you get the deposit back.
More ideas on the Renter Friendly Upgrades board.
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