In a time when trends like maximalism are back with all their colorful and loud force, those of us who rent a living space find ourselves in a dilemma: we want to decorate our house or apartment and make it our own, but often we can’t paint, make holes in the wall, or dramatically modify the place.
Does that mean you have to live with a permanently white wall until you move out? Absolutely not! The space you’re renting may not be 100% yours, but that doesn’t mean you can’t apply your personal touch.
Here are some rental-friendly tips for decorating your home. Some are easier to “reverse” than others, and you’ll surely find ideas to make your home reflect your personality.
Wall Decals
Okay, you can’t paint the walls. But what about these wall decals? There are hundreds of designs to choose from, they’re easy to put up (much easier than traditional wallpaper), and when it’s time to say goodbye, you can remove them like simple stickers.
A Temporary Arch on the Wall
If you want to add color and personality to your walls, you can create an arch of your favorite color on a wall and turn it into a statement wall. The traditional method is with paint, but you can make your own arch with temporary vinyl decals.
Hanging Strips
If you thought you couldn’t hang your favorite art pieces because that requires the use of nails… you’re very wrong. Fortunately, we live in a time when there are hanging strips strong enough to hold art pieces of several kilograms in weight. You just have to stick them to the wall!
There are different models and brands, depending on what you need to hang. Remember to choose those designed specifically for the weight of your artwork (you don’t want that beautiful portrait to end up shattered on the floor).
Lighting is Everything
Nothing works better to dramatically change the vibe of a place than lighting. If those lights that your landlord put in the ceiling drive you crazy, you can always cover them with shades and remove the ugly original fixtures. Again, the great advantage is that you can take them with you when you move.
Contact Paper
If the furniture is yours, you are completely free to do whatever you want with it. You can cover your plain IKEA furniture or even your refrigerator with contact paper, if you’re brave enough.
Rugs, Lots of Rugs
Don’t underestimate the power that rugs have to change the way a space looks. In the living room, dining room, or bedroom, a cozy rug can completely change the space and make it more comfortable and inviting.
Vinyl Floor Stickers
Perhaps you are unhappy with that horrible floor that you wouldn’t have chosen in any way if the house were yours. Don’t worry. Now there are vinyl stickers that can cover the floor to make it more beautiful. Once again, the great advantage is that you can easily remove it when you need to.
