15 Rent-Friendly Home Upgrades That Won’t Damage Walls
When I first started renting, I thought I’d be stuck living in bland beige boxes forever. No painting, no nails, no drilling – the conditions in my lease were set up in such a way that I could never feel at home.
I would look at Pinterest and Instagram and see all these nicely decorated rooms, but I could not do anything to my boring walls.
Over the years, though, I’ve learned that rentals don’t have to feel temporary. The right renter-friendly upgrades can make a space look stylish, personal and functional without risking your security deposit. The awesome thing? Most of these concepts are low-cost, simple to implement and completely reversible.
From peel-and-stick wallpaper that instantly transforms walls to clever furniture swaps and lighting hacks, I’ve tried all of these in apartments across different cities. A few have worked so well that I now use them even in my permanent home.
In this guide, we have pulled together 15 upgrades that pass the landlord test, but also allow you to bring your personality to your space.
In case you have ever felt like your rental home is less of a home and more of a temporary stop, then these suggestions will help you make it your own.
1. Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper: The Renter’s Secret Weapon
My first experience with the peel-and-stick wallpaper in my living room made me doubt; I was afraid it would be a low-budget choice.
Would an apartment-friendly wallpaper dare to look good and can be removed cleanly?
I tried a botanical accent wall and was blown away–my boring beige wall had a personality now and was stylish and cozy.
The reason people use peel-and-stick wallpaper is that it is cheap and not permanent, and highly customizable.
Depending on the pattern, they may be crisp and geometric or smooth and textural, and cost about $30 to $50 a roll, whether you shop online through Amazon, Target or Wayfair.
Tips: Order a sample first to evaluate the aesthetic and how the design will work with your lighting and your overall color.
Applying it isn’t hard, but go slow. Prepare your wall, make accurate measurements, and use a plastic squeegee or even a credit card to smooth these bubbles. The adhesive is forgiving—if you misalign, peel, and reposition until it’s right.
In many test cases, the wallpaper of the peel-and-stick variety can come off residue-free and without leaving any marks on semi-gloss or satin paint.
However, a word to the wise: on matte or improperly cured paint, it may peel off a coating of paint!
- Apply to smoother sheens like satin or eggshell.
- Don’t leave it up for years—change it within a year or so.
- Use heating tools like a hairdryer for easier removal
Despite these caveats, peel-and-stick wallpaper delivers a huge visual upgrade with minimal commitment.
Apply it to accent walls, on the inside of closets, stair risers, or even a temporary backsplash. If you prep well and choose quality, it’s one of the highest-impact renter-friendly upgrades you can make.
2. Removable Wall Decals: Easy Art Without the Commitment
I once redecorated my office nook (a small area off my bedroom), and used a set of geometric wall decals; it was bare and uninspired one moment and warm and creative the next.
And the best part?
When I moved they came off without a fuss–clean as can be, no sticky residue left behind, no marks on the walls, just a clean space ready to experience its next adventure.
Renters will appreciate the removable wall decals since they are innovative, adjustable, and friend of the renter. There are all kinds of decals such as inspirational sayings and nature themed wall decals to wallpaper looking peel and stick.
They are particularly convenient when you want something attractive, yet you would like to stay away from picture frames and nails.
You’ll usually spend between $10 and $40 depending on size and complexity. Top places to shop include Etsy, Target, and Urban Walls.
Application is as simple as peel and stick, but be sure to start at an edge and then work out as this greatly reduces bubble formation. Apartment Therapy says the best way to add personality to a rented space is with decals, since they won’t leave a mark!
Whether you use them on the wall behind your bed to make a faux headboard, brighten up that boring hall, or embellish the cabinets in your kitchen or bath. Removable wall decals are fun and when you are tired of them, they can be easily removed with no damage left behind.
3. Command Hooks and Strips: Hang It, Love It, Leave It
Command hooks would unequivocally be the best friend of renters were they able to have a literal best friend.
I have applied them everywhere: to hang up fairy lights and towels and even to place my holiday wreath at the right position.
When I moved, I simply pulled on the tab, and they peeled off cleanly. No holes. No flaking paint, total renter win,
Command Brand products flourish because they offer secure damage-free hanging. Picture strips, metal hooks, and clear options- these support decor and necessities, and require no nails and drilling. Better still, they can be removed cleanly.
To get smooth results:
- Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol (not regular cleaners).
- Press the strip firmly for at least 30 seconds.
- Wait one hour before hanging anything heavy.
Prices range between $10 and 15 a multipack, and can be found at Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot and local hardware stores. Whatever you want to hang, organize, or create, Command products can make it renter-safe to smartly decorate your home.
4. Floating Shelves with Adhesive: Storage Without the Screws
Finding a storage place in rentals without drilling is one of the largest challenges.
I solved this with the addition of adhesive-mounted floating shelves in my kitchen.
Now, I could have small plants, jars, and even my favorite cookbooks, without jeopardizing my deposit.
These shelves operate on high-duty adhesive strips as opposed to screws. Umbra and Command Display Ledges are such brands that are especially targeted to renters who may need storage units without wall damage. They are the finest option to display lightweight items, such as décor, candles, and small plants, and not piles of books.
They normally cost between 20 and 40 dollars per set, and they can be found at Amazon, Umbra, and Walmart
Installation is easy: wipe your wall with rubbing alcohol, get accurate measurements and allow the adhesive to dry according to the suggested time written in the package (typically more than an hour). According to Umbra, following these prep steps ensures maximum hold strength and prevents premature falling.
For renters with limited space, these shelves are a lifesaver. I applied them even in the bathroom, on toiletries, and they remained so well.
One more tip, though: Adhesive shelves aren’t a permanent fix, but they are a temporary solution that can work well for renters in need of both functionality and decoration.
5. Area Rugs: Instant Warmth and Style
In case the flooring in your apartment is ugly (mine consisted of peeling vinyl that would, in a just world, be confined to the basement of a 1970s home), area rugs will be your best friends.
Not only do they mask flaws but provide warmth, color and cushiness. In my favorite apartment, a big, simple-colored rug covered the chilly and reverberant living room and made it warm and welcoming.
Area rugs are also great in zoning especially open-plan apartments. A rug beneath the sofa and beneath the bed helps to form a living space and a bedroom respectively.
They also make noise go down- another significant feat in case you live in an apartment with people living below you.
Prices range widely- entry-level rugs are about $50 to as high as $300 and more, depending upon size and material. The best shopping sites comprise Rugs USA, Wayfair, The West Elm chain
Designers suggest opting bigger than you think—at least an 8×10 for living rooms if space allows. Rugs USA’s rug size guide explains that larger rugs actually make small rooms feel more spacious, not cramped, and they even suggest, “when in doubt, size up.”
6. Curtains on Tension Rods: A Quick Window Upgrade
Rental blinds are always cheap and impersonal.
In my previous residence, I replaced them with sheer curtains on a tension rod, and the space immediately felt more comfortable, airy and welcoming.
And the best part? No drilling, no screws, and no damage.
Here’s what makes tension rods such a renter-friendly hero:
- They’re tool-free to install—just twist to adjust length and wedge between the window frame.
- They work well for light to medium-weight curtains.
- Most importantly, they leave zero damage behind.
MyDomaine has a design tips round-up that reported tension rods as a popular choice to eliminate drilling. They can particularly come in handy when a renter is renting a flat, a traveller that is on the road, or someone who only needs a temporary upgrade.
Prices typically fall within the range of $15 to 30 and you can locate them at home depot, Amazon, and Target.
To install:
- Measure the inside width of your window frame.
- Twist the rod to a length slightly shorter than that measurement.
- Place it inside the frame and release—it should stay snug.
- Slide your curtains onto the rod and press it into place.
If you want to get extra creative, Better Homes & Gardens highlights how you can use tension rods for other things. Such as tension rods can hide the clutter under the counters or craft Do-It-Your-Way Storage without damaging the walls.
7. Stick-On Tiles: Instant Backsplash Magic
I once had my rental kitchen’s backsplash covered in permanent grease spots that I simply could not remove.
I wanted a fix-fast and renter safe. That is when I learned about peel-and-stick backsplash tiles. It took me less than one hour to install a hex-patterned set and the tile illusion effect is so convincing that one friend asked me whether I had finally made a renovation.
What makes these tiles popular is that they are economical, easy to install by yourself, and most importantly removable- which is ideal to a renter. Available materials range from vinyl and PVC to textured gel or metallic finishes, giving you budget-friendly realism without grout or mess.
According to Better Homes & Gardens, peel‑and‑stick backsplash tiles are a renter-friendly way to update a kitchen quickly and cleanly.
To install, clean the wall, cut them to the right size, and stick them onto the wall. On moving day, they scuttle without making a mark with your deposit intact.
Where to buy:
Try Amazon, The Spruce’s buys, or budget stores like IKEA or Home Depot.
8. Temporary Floor Tiles: Hide Ugly Flooring in Style
Ugh: ugly scraped floors are horrible. I remember that I tried a lick of peel‑and-stick floor tiles in my bathroom one time: a hex matte vinyl pattern. It was smooth, neat, slick-looking, and peeled away as I moved with no harm done.
Why it works well with renters: these tiles are waterproof, slip-resistant, and self-adhesive, which is ideal for covering old floors on a temporary basis. Mineral Tiles notes how these tiles are affordable and great for renters or Airbnb setups
If you’re paranoid, try a hack from a trending The Sun story: place a shower liner curtain below the tiles prior to installing and afterwards remove it along with the tiles to leave no residue whatsoever as well as no damage to the underneath tiles either!
Where to shop: look for options on Amazon or specialty flooring stores.
9. Multi-Functional Furniture: More Than One Job
Where space is limited, there should be no wasteful items that do not have a valuable use. Only get furniture that are multi-functional.
Such as a Storage Ottoman to give you an example. This piece has rescued me on more than one occasion- it serves as a coffee table, footstool, and a storage unit for extra blankets and magazines. I even use it as an additional viewer’s seat on movie nights.
Guardian Storage also recommends multifunctional furniture as a must in tight apartments for its space-saving and calming benefits
Where to shop: explore Wayfair’s multifunctional finds or Amazon’s budget-savvy options under $100
10. Mirrors for Light and Depth, No Drills Required
My rental corridor was a dark tunnel until I put a floor mirror at the opposite end to the window. Suddenly, there was light bouncing around–it doubled the width of space.
Mirrors act much like cheap magic in rentals: reflect natural light, they deepen visual space, and cannot be damaged when they can be leaned instead of hung.
Apartment Therapy recommends using large free-standing mirrors in order to help open up a narrow room.
Buying tips: go for a mirror roughly two-thirds the width of the adjacent furniture for best proportion and balance.
Where to shop: check IKEA, HomeGoods, or your local thrift stores for statement pieces that cost less than you think.
11. Stick-On Lighting: Brighten Without Wiring
Poor lighting is one of the biggest turn-offs in renting. So I once tried to turn my dark rental kitchen with an affixed battery-powered LED puck lights beneath a couple of the cabinets–and the difference was night and day.
Prep time suddenly felt more secure, and the area now looked more modern.
Why renters love stick-on lights: They do not need WiFi, don’t need to be installed with a screwdriver, and can be taken with them when they move. Real Simple includes them in the list of the best lighting tricks to use when renting, such as adding instant ambiance under shelves or cabinets.
Expect to spend about $15–$30 per set. Options include Amazon’s stick‑on lights and Home Depot’s LED puck lights.
12. Decorative Room Dividers: Style + Privacy
I lived in a Parisian studio once and I used a stopgap, a folding room divider, as a backdrop to my larger room and my bedroom.
It worked overnight like two spaces in one it did not require any drilling, and when I moved, it moved with me.
Room dividers are the renter’s secret weapon—portable, stylish, and non-permanent. Apartment Therapy refers to them as a clever way of partitioning a studio apartment into functional spaces and yet appearing stylish.
They range from $50–$200 depending on material. Great finds? Check out Wayfair’s room divider selection or budget-friendly picks on Amazon.
A divider provides privacy and dimension–and not a nail or patch job in sight.
13. Furniture Sliders: Protect Floors and Sanity
The last time I was relocating a heavy dresser without any sliders, the outcome was floors that were scratched and a landlord who was also very angry at me.
Ever since then I have not neglected furniture sliders. The small discs placed beneath corners make furniture movable without straining and cushioning flooring at the same time.
Why they’re a renter must-have: Sliders prevent floor damage and they avoid heavy lifting. Family Handyman assures that they are the most convenient to use when it comes to heavy furniture shifting and floor protection.
You can get a set for $10–$20 on Amazon or at Home Depot.
Easy, cheap and efficient. Furniture sliders offer a great way to ease a strain on the back, as well as your security deposit.
14. Decorative Tape: Walls With Personality, Zero Damage
One rainy weekend, I had nothing to do and not much money to spend, so I used a couple of rolls of washi tape and created a geometric-like mural on the blank wall over my desk.
It was homemade, cheap and easy to fold off. Not only was that one afternoon what made the apartment feel more me, but it was quite risk-free to my deposit as well
This can be decorative tape such as washi, painter, or thin vinyl, which is low-tack and removable and, thus, ideal for rentals.
You can frame posters, outline a faux headboard, or create stripes down a hallway. The Spruce and Apartment Therapy both show renter-safe wall ideas using washi tape for patterns and accent walls that come off without hassle.
If you’re worried about paint, go slow when removing. According to guidance offered by moving.com, washi tape is meant to be removed but still peel slowly because pulling and tearing off old or improperly secured paint is likely to scrape a layer off.
My favorite quick wins: a grid gallery of postcards, just a simple border to connect the room together and the faux headboard. ALl renter friendly and reversible.
15. Portable Partitions: Create Rooms Without Building Walls
In my last studio, work and rest bled together until I brought in a lightweight folding screen. Overnight, I had a real “bedroom” zone and a desk area that felt separate. When friends came over, I folded it away. No drilling, no stress, just instant boundaries.
Room dividers can help a renter transform space into zones- sleep, work, eat areas- without damaging the walls.
Need a little design inspiration before you shop? House Beautiful has you covered with the latest room-divider trends ranging from sculptural screens to airy slatted walls, so you can add privacy and style even in small spaces.
Hanging panel sets and bookcase dividers can also be very effective in rentals and are usually quite quick to install and relocate, as well as landlord friendly. When the floor plan reminds you of one big everything, a portable partition will help you achieve your sanity within the shortest period of time.
Final Thoughts
Renters can have stylish filler and rooms that are their own. Renter-friendly upgrades make it possible to inject color, texture, storage, and light without breaking your security deposit.
I have applied all these concepts in order to make temporary apartments my own calm and quiet space.
Just start small in case you are overwhelmed. Switch out a tension-rod curtain with a larger area rug, a section of strip lighting under the cabinets.
When you want a bigger impact, but still want the option to change it up later, consider peel-and-stick wallpaper or a peel-and-stick backsplash, and see the room spruce up overnight.
I wonder what you are going to give a shot at first. Are you more wallpaper, more lighting, or just a big, fluffy rug?
Share with me in the comments so that we can exchange ideas and help one another.
And to see more renter-safe decor ideas, also see my post rent-friendly bathroom upgrades.
