Ideas

How to decorate a rental without losing your deposit

Beige walls, gray carpet and a ceiling fan you did not choose. Most rentals look the same, and most leases limit what you can change. The good news: the changes that matter most are all removable.

Try on your room

Try with 2 free designs

How can you decorate a rental without damaging it?

You can transform a rental without damage by focusing on things you can take with you or remove cleanly: large rugs over the carpet, curtains on tension or adhesive rods, removable wallpaper, plug-in lighting, leaning art, swapped cabinet knobs and your own furniture. Check your lease, and keep the original fixtures to put back when you leave.

A bare rental living room with beige walls, gray carpet, vertical blinds and a futon
Before
The same rental redesigned with renter-friendly changes: a large rug, curtains, removable wallpaper, lamps and leaning art
After

Same walls, same window, same camera. Only the design changed.

8 renter-friendly decorating ideas

  1. Cover the carpet

    A large rug hides tired carpet and defines the seating area.

  2. Add curtains

    Linen curtains on a tension rod or adhesive hooks soften cheap blinds and make windows look bigger.

  3. Try removable wallpaper

    Peel-and-stick wallpaper on one wall adds character and comes off cleanly on most painted walls. Test a small piece first.

  4. Bring your own lighting

    Floor lamps, table lamps and plug-in wall sconces replace harsh ceiling light without an electrician.

  5. Lean the art

    A picture ledge, or art leaning on a console, means fewer holes. Use removable hooks for light frames.

  6. Swap the hardware

    Change cabinet knobs and keep the originals in a labeled bag to put back when you move out.

  7. Use furniture to make zones

    A bookcase or the back of a sofa can create an entry or a reading corner in an open room.

  8. Ask about paint

    Many landlords allow painting if you ask in writing or agree to repaint before you leave.

Removable wallpaper, a big rug over the carpet and art leaning on a ledge.
Removable wallpaper, a big rug over the carpet and art leaning on a ledge.
New knobs and a plug-in sconce: small swaps that come off when you move.
New knobs and a plug-in sconce: small swaps that come off when you move.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming everything is allowed. Read the lease and ask in writing.
  • Strong adhesive hooks on fresh or textured paint. They can pull the paint off.
  • Throwing away the original fixtures you will need to reinstall.

Try it on your room

  1. Photograph the room. Include the parts you cannot change, like the carpet and the fan, so you design around them.
  2. Try two or three styles. Keep the one that works best with the things you have to live with.
  3. Use a custom prompt. Ask it to keep the walls and carpet and only add rugs, curtains and lamps, so the result stays renter-friendly.

Questions, answered

Is peel-and-stick wallpaper safe for renters?

Usually, on smooth painted walls in good condition. Test a small piece in a hidden spot first and peel it off slowly at a low angle. On fresh, textured or flat paint it can lift the paint.

Can I paint my rental?

Only with your landlord’s permission. Many agree if you ask in writing and promise to repaint the original color before moving out.

How do I hide ugly carpet in a rental?

Use one large area rug that covers most of the visible floor. A rug pad keeps it from shifting.

How can I hang art without nails?

Use a picture ledge, lean art on furniture, or use removable adhesive strips rated for the weight of the frame.

How do I improve the lighting in a rental?

Add floor and table lamps and plug-in wall sconces with cord covers, and switch to warm white bulbs.

More ideas

Go further

See it on your own room.

Try on your room

Try with 2 free designs