Renter Friendly Design Hacks

Renter Friendly Design Hacks

Just because you’re living in a space temporarily, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t feel like home. Today’s blog post is all about renter friendly design hacks- because we hate blank, white walls as much as you do, and sometimes you want to spruce up the space and still get your deposit back.

Typically, leases in apartment or rented homes have very specific rules about what you can and cannot do in the space. Things like painting the walls, changing the floor, or making any structural changes are almost always out. Some leases might not even allow drilling holes to hang things! That can you leave feeling like you’re in a bind- you want to personalize your space, but you feel limited in your options.

Believe it or not, there are actually plenty of updates you can make to a rented space to make it feel totally yours. We’re sharing some of our favorite renter friendly design hacks with you today, to show you some options.

Switching Outdated Hardware

If you have a beautifully updated kitchen in your rental, you are one of the lucky ones. Kitchens are an expensive upgrade, and sometimes in rented spaces, they can leave a lot to be desired. One easy way to fix them up, and bring them up to speed with current design trends is by switching out the hardware.

Changing the knobs or drawer pulls can do big things for your kitchen, without breaking the terms of your lease! Make sure to store the original hardware somewhere safe and replace it before you leave. Bonus hack: when you do move, kitchen hardware is easy to take with you to give your next space an updated look, too!

Brighten Up With New Lights

Light fixtures are another easy fix! Just like kitchen hardware, as long as you keep the original fixtures safe and sound during your stay there, you can go wild with any kind of replacement- no electrical wiring needed!

Renter Friendly Design Hack #2: Update light fixtures

Image via Spaces

There are also plenty of options online for light fixtures that plug into sockets. These fixtures are a great option if you want to add overhead lighting to a space that doesn’t have any.

Adding a fun new chandelier or bulb covering is a great way to add style to your space, and is such an easy, affordable upgrade.

Contact Paper For Everything

Contact paper, or vinyl stick-ons, are a renter’s savior! They’re basically giant stickers, that you can apply to almost anything, and are easy to remove when your lease is up. Do you have ugly black appliances in your kitchen? Stainless steel contact paper can take care of that. Wish you had granite countertops? Yeah, they’ve got that too. Want to add an accent to cabinet doors, or shelving? There are tons of patterns to choose from!

Renter Friendly Design Hack #3: Contact Paper

Image via Anita Yokota

There is a contact paper solution for almost anything you could want. It does take a little time to apply it, but it’s worth it for the low cost, and the ability to truly customize your space. Contact paper is the ultimate renter-friendly design hack.

Dress Up The Walls (Temporarily)

Renter Friendly Design Hack #4: Temporary Wallpaper

Image via Fall For DIY

Maybe you can’t paint your walls, but you can still freshen them up! Temporary wallpaper is a great option. Much like contact paper, it sticks on, and is easy to remove when you move out. It does take some time to apply, but there are hundreds of patterns out there, so you are sure to find a design you’ll love. Make it easy on yourself (and make a fun statement!) by choosing just one wall to cover, and highlight it as an accent.

A Lot of Rugs

Renter Friendly Design Hack #5: A Lot of Rugs

Our Karia Rug is a gorgeous option to bring life and color to a space.

What’s the best way to fix an ugly floor? Put a rug over it. Rugs not only cover a flooring you’re not a fan of, they’re another great way to bring some of your personality and style into the space. Rugs have a way of making a space feel cozy, and homey, and they truly are the perfect finishing touch.

Want a rug but no idea where to start? We’ve got dozens for you to look over, and find the perfect fit for your space!

Accessorize & Add Furniture With Personality

Renter Friendly Design Hack #6: Accessorize and Furniture

In this model unit our design team recently put together, we used accessories and furniture with personality to bring life to this space!

Although when you’re renting, you may be limited in some ways, one way you’re not limited is furniture! Sometimes the most impactful renter-friendly design hacks are also the simplest.

Bringing in unique pieces is the perfect way to dress up your space without breaking your lease terms (or if you don’t feel like contact paper-ing your whole apartment). A statement-making sofa, or coffee table can do wonders for a space, even if your walls are white.

Adding accessories, like table-top items, plants, or some wall decor, is essential to really making a rented space feel like a home. Accessories are an easy way to introduce patterns, colors, and textures that your space might be lacking otherwise.

There are so many things you can do in a temporary space- more than what we’ve listed today even! Which of these renter friendly design hacks do you think you’ll try in your space?

Need some help picking out furniture or accessories for your new home? Our team would love to help you out! Give us a call at 713.780.4647 for your own personal design assistant!

Today's blog post is all about renter friendly design hacks- because sometimes you want to spruce up your space and still get your deposit back.