Two people sitting on the floor with coffee mugs and laughing while surrounded by brown moving boxes. In the background there is a plant and a rolled up rug.

Photo: iStock.com/Dean Mitchell

Everybody deserves to live in a space that makes them happy! When you own your home, it’s easy to upgrade it by knocking down walls, changing out the entire bathroom suite, and pulling up old carpet. However, when living in a rental home, you’re going to be a bit more limited in terms of the changes you can execute to make the space feel more you. But it’s still very much possible! 

In case you didn’t realize it yet, you don’t have to live with those old-fashioned fixtures on your kitchen cupboards that you dislike, or with that ancient wallpaper in the living room that’s simply not your aesthetic! Making small, reversible, and cosmetic changes to a home is something that any renter can do, and that’s exactly what we’re going to discuss today. The following ideas are relatively easy to pull off, don’t cost a lot, and don’t require major construction (and won’t cause any issues with your landlord!) Ready for your home’s next era? Let’s get decorating!

DIY Home Décor Ideas for Rental Homes

Check Permissions 

Before you make any changes at all, though, we strongly advise you to check specific rules and permissions with your landlord or rental agency for your unique property. Every rental is different, and the changes some may allow, others may not. To save yourself any awkward run-ins with your landlord, and to ensure you get your security deposit back, make sure to ask first! You should also keep any old furnishings that you replace belonging to your landlord somewhere safe, so you can switch them back if you move. 

Install Removable Wallpaper 

Let the walls of your home reflect your personality by installing some new wallpaper! Starting with the wallpaper will help you achieve a cohesive interior aesthetic, as you can match your furnishings, textures, and accents to the overall color scheme or pattern. Whether you choose bold, quirky prints or subdued, calming designs, this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to spruce up your home. Our peel-and-stick wallpaper can be easily removed without leaving any residue or damaging the walls, allowing for an easy transition to your next venture. 

A wooden table with white, brown and clear vases with blue and gold moroccan style wallpaper on the wall in the background.
A brown table with a yellow old-fashioned telephone next to a green chair. There is a bright and colorful 70s-style floral and fruit-themed wallpaper on the wall in the background.
A brown wooden table sits next to a bed with beige bedding. On the table there is a white mug and a white vase as well as a framed piece of artwork with a simple drawn hand. On the wall in the background there is a teal and green forest-style wallpaper.

Swap Out the Hardware

It’s time to swap out those old, lackluster door knobs, cabinet pulls, and handles! This impactful yet easy rental-friendly upgrade is a must-do. All you need is a screwdriver and some new hardware of your choice to totally transform your furniture! Pick an interesting pattern, or opt for an eye-catching shape for your next set of hardware to achieve a stylish new look in any room. 

A dark brown cabinet with modern gold fixtures for handles.
Photo: pinterest.com
A light brown wooden cupboard with blue and white ornately printed doorknobs.
A pink granite counter top and pink drawers with silver beaded-style fixtures as handles.
Photo: pinterest.com

Add Texture 

Rethinking your linens and other soft furnishings is an essential part of any home upgrade, and a renter-friendly one, too. It can aid you in creating a comfy space where you’ll always feel at ease! Choose some new throw pillows and blankets for your couch, your bed, and any other area that could do with a little coziness! Lay down beautiful rugs to cover up any distasteful old carpet or flooring and instantly make your space feel trendier. Don’t forget to swap out your current bedding for something new and more exciting as well.

A bed with cream and beige colored pillows and an printed throw blanket with custom initials. In the background there is a large green potted plant and a side table with a white lamp.
A throw pillow printed with a gold leopard and colorful leaves on a pink background.
A brown wooden bed with pink and orange checkered sheets and cream and beige pillows. In the background there is some houseplants and a wooden sidetable with a cream lamp.

Rethink Window Treatments 

Another easy rental upgrade hack is to replace those old window treatments with new blinds or curtains! Window treatments can offer some much-needed privacy, add a touch of luxury, and can also tie your entire room together. Go for sheer, floaty fabrics for a dreamy vibe, modern venetian blinds for a minimalist touch, or fun, printed curtains for a head-turning feature. 

A red and white toile de joy printed curtain next to a wooden hanging chair with white cushions and a white blanket.
Black venetian blinds shown on a window. In the background there is a wooden table with a few vases.
Photo: pinterest.com
White and dusty blue leafy printed curtains shown on a large window. In the background there is a baby crib and a stuffed animal.

Upgrade Your Shower Curtain

That old, boring shower curtain sitting glumly in your bathtub? It’s time to part ways! Swap it out with a new curtain you love, and you’ll be surprised to see how much a simple change like this can transform your bathroom space. Go for a fancy monogram print, a relaxing beach wave print, or a fashionable animal print, depending on where your heart takes you. We also highly recommend getting a new bathroom rug and some matching towels to really elevate your bathroom! 

Large orange, pink, red and brown sun shower curtain shown in use in a bathroom. In the background there is a mirror, a white sink and a white toilet.
Italian lemon printed shower curtain shown in use in a bathroom. In the background there is a beige rug, white towels, and a white sink.
A blue and white striped shower curtain shown in use in a bathroom. In the background there is plants on a brown shelving unit and a wash basket.

Hang Peel-and-Stick Photo Tiles

In a rental property, you’re often explicitly asked not to hang up any picture frames with nails, as that can create damage to the walls. Luckily, peel-and-stick photo tiles make it possible to display the special photographs and artwork that you adore all over your home in a risk-free way. Upload your favorite snaps to a set of photo tiles, or pick out a design that speaks to you, and get ready to turn your home’s walls from drab to fab!

Three photo tiles with white frames shown on a dusty blue wall.
Four photo tiles with black frames displayed on a burgundy wall. In the background there is a vase and wooden bird figures.
Six photo tiles with black frames displayed on a light grey wall.

Get New Lighting or Change Old Lampshades

Illuminate your new space with the right lighting! While changing out entire light fixtures may be off the cards in your rental, you can still experiment by swapping out the lampshades, or by placing a few fresh table lamps around your home. With some clever tweaks, you can curate the exact lighting ambience and vibe you desire for a space that feels completely you! 

A black and white spotted table lamp is shown on a brown side table. There is also a cream and brown hat to the left on the table.
Photo: pinterest.com
A pink fringed lampshade is shown hanging from the ceiling.
Photo: pinterest.com
A green glass floor lamp is shown lighting next to a cream bed with a green throw blanket and green pillow.
Photo: pinterest.com

Bring the Outside In

It’s never too late to become a plant parent! Plants are amazing, non-permanent additions to any rental home, and they bring a grounding energy to the space while also purifying the air. Place a few plants in every room, and watch as your home becomes a stunning oasis! Plus, you can choose plant pots in nice colors or patterns that complement the rest of your furnishings. To find out which plants would be the best choice based on your schedule and space, check out our guide “Which Houseplants Are Right for You?“!

A white table with four different color orchid plants in various types of plant pots.
Photo: pinterest.com
Multiple green houseplants in brown pots displayed on wooden stands, on the windowsill, or on the floor.
Photo: pinterest.com
Three colorful green, pink, and burgundy houseplants in burdgundy pots displayed on a glass table and on the floor.
Photo: pinterest.com

Accents, Accents, Accents

The final step in completing your rental home upgrade journey is to get intentional with your accents! Focus on showcasing those little items that you adore to start conversations among guests. You could set down a cute trinket tray for your keys, display your favorite collectible figures on a shelf, show off a vintage vase or fine china collection, scatter around some candles with a scent you love, decorate with photo plaques featuring your nearest and dearest, or design some fun custom coasters for your table. Let your memories, taste, and interests shine through! 

A pink, gold and blue marble-style trinket tray holds some earrings, a necklace and a ring. In the background there is two perfume bottles.
Black and white striped stone coasters are shown in use with a glass.
A white candle with a text slogan is shown lighting. In the background there is some matches, a match box and a plant.

That’s all for today, renters! We hope this guide has made you realize that you can turn your rental home into a space you’re truly proud of, regardless of any restrictions. Happy upgrading!