How to Decorate a Rental Apartment (Renter-Friendly, Damage-Free)

By Shop Decor Finds Editorial Team · Updated 1 November 2026

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Rentals often come with beige walls, harsh lighting and dated fixtures. And you usually can't paint, drill or replace much without permission.

You can still make a rental feel personal and warm. The key is focusing on changes that are easy to undo. Here's how to decorate a rental apartment and still get your deposit back.

First: read your lease

Before you change anything, check what your lease says about:

• Painting
• Nail holes and wall anchors
• Replacing light fixtures or hardware
• Wallpaper and adhesives

Many landlords allow small nail holes or even painting if you ask. Get any permission in writing, by email or text, so you have a record. Take dated photos of every room before you move anything in. They protect you at move-out.

Walls without paint

Removable wallpaper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper can transform an accent wall, a bathroom or the back of a bookcase. Test a small piece in a hidden spot first. Some adhesives can lift paint, especially on fresh or cheap paint.

Lean art instead of hanging it

Prop large frames on a dresser, shelf or the floor. Layering two or three frames of different sizes looks relaxed and intentional.

Use the right hooks

Adhesive hooks and strips hold light frames and mirrors. Follow the weight limits on the package and press firmly for 30 seconds. Remove them by pulling the tab slowly straight down along the wall, not outward.

For heavier pieces, small nail holes are often easier to patch at move-out than adhesive damage. A tiny tub of spackle costs very little.

Make your own art

Big blank walls are common in rentals. Fill them cheaply with these DIY wall art ideas, or plan a gallery wall using strips or a picture ledge.

Fix the lighting

Rental lighting is usually one overhead fixture with a cold bulb. Fix it like this:

• Change the bulbs. Swap to warm white (2700K). Keep the original bulbs to put back later.
• Add lamps. Floor lamps and table lamps add warmth and light corners.
• Plug-in sconces. They hang on a nail or two and plug into an outlet. Use cord covers painted to match the wall.
• Swap a shade. Some ceiling fixtures can take a simple drum shade or paper lantern over the existing bulb. Ask first, and never put flammable materials near hot bulbs.

Cover floors you don't love

Large area rugs can hide dated carpet, worn wood or tired vinyl. Layer a rug over wall-to-wall carpet using a pad made for carpet.

Choosing the right size matters. This guide on how to choose a rug size covers every room.

Kitchen updates

• Contact paper or removable backsplash tiles. Test first, and avoid putting them right behind the stove, where heat can melt them.
• Swap cabinet knobs. Keep the old hardware in a labeled bag to reinstall later.
• Add a rolling cart for extra storage and prep space.
• Style the counters. A few useful, good-looking items go a long way. See these kitchen counter decor ideas.

Bathroom updates

• Replace the shower curtain and hang it higher with a tension rod or extra-long curtain.
• Swap the showerhead (keep the original).
• Add a bath mat, matching towels and a small plant.
• Use over-the-toilet shelving for storage.

Window treatments

Rental blinds are often cheap and yellowed. Hang curtains over them. A tension rod works inside a window frame without drilling. If you're allowed to drill, mount the rod high and wide to make windows look bigger.

Furniture that moves with you

Invest in pieces that will work in your next home too:

• A sofa that fits through narrow doors
• Freestanding shelves instead of built-ins
• Modular storage that can be rearranged
• A good rug and good lamps

Avoid buying furniture that only fits one awkward corner of your current place.

Make it feel like yours

Personality matters more than perfection. Bring in:

• Plants
• Books
• Textiles like throws and pillows
• Photos and travel souvenirs
• One bold piece, like a colorful chair or a vintage rug

Before you move out

1. Remove all adhesive hooks slowly.
2. Fill nail holes with spackle and smooth with a damp cloth.
3. Reinstall original bulbs, hardware and fixtures.
4. Clean any adhesive residue gently.
5. Compare with your move-in photos.

Read next: 12 Easy DIY Wall Art Ideas for Blank Walls (On a Budget) →