16 Renter-Friendly Design Upgrades You Won’t Regret Trying

Statement lighting elevates any space — and luckily, this DIY project doesn’t require any skills or understanding of electrical wiring. Adhere LED puck lights to wicker baskets, then hang new fixtures from the ceiling using twine. Most puck lights can be controlled with a remote control; you just have to replace the batteries from time to time.

Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois »

Jessica Teich, Good Housekeeping Institute deputy editor and self-proclaimed “peel-and-stick queen,” revamped her New York City apartment with a floral accent wall just outside her bedroom. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is beginner-friendly and designed to be easy to remove — so there’s no sticky residue left behind for the next tenant.

FYI: There are tons of great wallpaper options available, but GH editors have shared positive experiences with Spoonflower.

Decorate a blank white wall with floor-to-ceiling bookcases that are lightweight and easy to mount (helpful for when it’s time to move to your next apartment). You may need to drill a few holes into the wall, but it’s easy enough to patch them up when the lease ends.

Take note from designer Anastasia Casey and fill your shelves with a collection of books, antiques and art.

Your rental may not have your dream kitchen, but small changes — like an earth-toned mosaic backsplash — can have a huge impact. Peel-and-stick kitchen backsplashes look like ceramic or porcelain tiles, but are mostly commonly made from thick vinyl. They typically come in 10- to 12-inch square sections that can be arranged and cut to fit your space.

See more at Style by Emily Henderson »

Trade boring light fixtures for flush mounts, pendants and chandeliers that spark joy. Design influencer Bridgette Muller (a.k.a. @hummusbirrd on Instagram) thinks it’s well worth hiring a professional.

“I’ve been told it’s not super hard to do, but I live in a 96-year-old building, so I definitely don’t want to be messing with wires of that age,” she says. If you plan to take the fixtures when you move out, hold onto the originals so you can swap them back in again before you go.

Waterproof vinyl tile stickers make it easy to cover dated bathroom floors with a playful pattern of your choosing. You can even use tile decals on shower floors or walls.

Keep in mind: Tile stickers won’t work on every surface, so make sure to read product descriptions before purchasing them.

Get the tutorial at Kaleidoscope Living »

My Jersey City rental has been given the “landlord special” in more than one way, but what drove me crazy were the outlet and light switch covers dotted with black wall paint. Light switch covers cost around $1 and a fresh one makes the room look newer! For a pop of personality, there’s plenty of funky light switch covers, too.

If you’ve moved into a rental with cheap plastic blinds — or worse, no window treatments at all! — you know that window treatments can make a space feel more expensive.

Whether you install Roman shades or mount a curtain rod and hang drapes, just know that you may need to patch any holes created if you plan to take the treatment with you when you leave, but most landlords would consider this an upgrade (just ask if you can leave them behind!).

See more at Style by Emily Henderson »

Of course, if your showerhead doesn’t work properly, your landlord should be responsible for replacing it. But, feel free to tackle the project on your own if you prefer something more aesthetic (like the gold fixture pictured here, chosen by Arterberry Cooke) or a shower filter option. For the most part, replacing a showerhead doesn’t require any technical skills or knowledge of plumbing.

Designer Brigette Muller, who lives in a railroad-style apartment in Brooklyn, uses curtains to create a bit of separation between her bed nook and living room. “Curtains — and textiles in general — are the key to making a space feel like home,” she says. “They really help soften the space, and are such a great way to add a little bit of color, pattern or texture.”

Shelby Turner, known as @itsmeshelbyturner on TikTok, recently removed these blue geometric peel-and-stick tiles from her kitchen floor. Although it took a lot longer than expected to clear all the residue, Turner says “I would totally do these renter-friendly upgrades again!”

“When it comes to flooring, I would never lay peel-and-stick floor directly onto the floor in my rental again,” she adds. Try putting a layer of poster paper or a shower liner between the original floors and the peel-and-sticks.

In the same apartment, Turner covered her plain white kitchen countertops with marble contact paper for a more luxe look. Following the process of removal, which involved using a hair dryer, a bottle of Goo Gone and manual scrapping, the influencer rated the removal a 7 out of 10.

Recreate the beauty of a real fireplace by crafting an antique-inspired mantel. Shelby Vanhoy of Pretty in the Pines created this statement piece using MDF board and roman clay, plus peel-and-stick brick panel for the center. The best part? You can take it with you when you move out!

Get the tutorial at Pretty in the Pines »

Swap out simple kitchen knobs and pulls — just be sure to store them somewhere safe and replace them before you move out. Here, Kitchen Design Group’s Caren Rideau pairs statement gold hardware with white cabinetry for a chicer style.