Smart Home Decorating Ideas For Rented Apartments

Whether your apartment is a short-term abode or a forever home, you can still add personal touches to make it feel like your own. These smart home decorating ideas are both renter-friendly and budget-friendly.

Paint a piece of furniture with a bright new color to instantly update the look. Just be sure to check with your landlord first.

Wall art

If your landlord allows it, hang framed photos or wall hangings to personalize the space. Choose a mix of shapes, sizes, and colors to create an intriguing gallery wall. Choose pieces that complement other elements in the room, such as a blue ottoman or an artfully-woven rag rug. You can even use a basic set of shelves to display a variety of nick-knacks and collectables in an eye-catching vignette. Remember to wipe down walls before attaching anything, and always use command strips for renter-friendly picture hanging.

If your landlord won’t allow you to paint the walls, a fresh coat of non-permanent color is an easy way to transform a room. Emma suggests using clear sticky-back book covering vinyl to cover a boring wall and turn it into an accent piece. This is an easy DIY project that won’t cause any damage to your rented home or apartment, and can easily be removed when you move out.

Pillows

Pillows are the cheapest (and most fun) apartment decorating hack. They can be changed out easily and won’t damage the wall like framed art might. They also come in a variety of shapes and designs to add personality. You can even find pillow covers and pillow forms separately, which makes it easy to change the look without wasting old pillows.

A curtain can be a great room divider for an apartment. It can be used to define a bedroom area and offer privacy, and it can also add colour and pattern to a living space. For a unique look, you can buy curtains with a design or texture to suit your style, such as lace, checkerboard, faux wood, solids, or planks.

Another way to make your apartment feel like home is by adding some decorative shelving. This can be a simple DIY project, but you should always check with your landlord first.

Throw rugs

Some landlords don’t allow tenants to paint rooms (or even hang wallpaper). If you can’t add color with a new coat of paint, bring in an interesting fabric. This will not only add color but also texture to a room. There are many different styles of fabric out there, and you can use them in a variety of ways.

Another great idea for decorating a rental apartment is to put down a fun throw rug. This will not only make the room look better, but it will also be comfortable to sit on. A small throw rug is also easy to store and can be easily moved from room to room.

If you have a green thumb, plants are another great addition to your apartment. Not only do they clean the air, but they’re also low-cost and easy to care for. If you can’t plant a real tree in your apartment, try a houseplant like a cactus or Swiss cheese plant.

Baskets

Often, rental homes prohibit putting holes in walls or painting so it’s difficult to make a space feel your own. That’s why finding non-permanent ways to decorate your space is essential.

Using baskets as decorative accents can help you personalize your space without breaking any rules. Choose from a wide variety of weaves and materials to fit your style. If you’re looking for something more functional, add a hamper to the entryway of your home to store hats and coats or use a wire basket as a planter for your houseplant.

You can even paint your baskets to match your décor. Just be sure to apply a protective sealant afterward. Another apartment decorating idea is to hang a set of hooks in your entryway to keep hats and purses organized. For a quick and easy setup, use adhesive-back hooks.

Stick on wallpaper

Using removable wallpaper is a good way to add a splash of colour to a room. It’s also a great alternative to paint, as it’s not permanent and won’t damage the walls if you decide to take it down. There are many options available, from geometric patterns to floral designs and more.

If you’re not allowed to hang things on the wall in your rental, try a few easy hacks instead. Command strips are a quick and easy solution, while clothespins allow you to display a collection without leaving holes behind.

If you’re really desperate to make your rented space feel homely, use a shoji, which is a type of room divider made from translucent papery sheets on a lattice frame. They’re usually used for doors or windows, but you could easily put one on a wall to add privacy and a unique touch to the room.

Bookcase

Unlike wallpaper and paint, installing shelves doesn’t require drilling into walls, so it’s one of the more apartment-friendly ways to give a rental space a homey feel. You can even create the look of built-ins with a piece of furniture that extends from floor to ceiling (but, please, make sure to build in a support strap to avoid tipping!)

Shelves can be used for decorative accent pieces or for books. If you’re a bookworm, this is an ideal way to display your collection. If you’re not into reading, display a curated collection of ornaments, vintage crockery or art to give the room personality.

If you have a green thumb, houseplants are another great way to add color to a room. Or, if you don’t have much of a green thumb, opt for air ferns or pothos. They’re easy to care for and aren’t too expensive.