We all like to make our living spaces feel like our own – whether through aesthetic touches or practical improvements. But if you’re renting, you may wonder what options you have.
While landlords are responsible for any repairs in your home, they aren’t obligated to make any improvements unless necessary. Plus, renters are generally required to leave properties in the same condition they found them in, which can make adding character to their homes tricky.
However, there are plenty of impermanent ways to spruce up your living space without risking your deposit – provided you get written permission from your landlord first (this is very important).
Below, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite renter-friendly home improvements.
1. Swap out your kitchen cabinet hardware
In rentals, original kitchen cabinet hardware like knobs and handles are rarely inspiring. But the good news is that you can generally replace these with something more to your taste and put the originals back when you move out. You might be surprised at the impact this simple swap can have on your space.
For example, why not choose cabinet hardware that adds a playful, colourful accent to an otherwise muted space? Or choose bold designs like latches or these leaf pull handles on Etsy.
Remember, when replacing, you’ll need to keep track of which handles go where (for when it’s time to put them back), as well as any little bits like screws and washers. To keep things organised, try placing all the hardware for each cabinet in separate, labelled sandwich bags (your future self will thank you). For some design inspiration, check out these ideas from Architectural Digest.
2. Add some detail with faux moulding and wainscotting
Moulding and wainscotting (panelling that runs along the bottom half of walls) are great ways to add texture, depth, and personality to our homes. But, unfortunately, traditional installation isn’t very renter-friendly, as it can damage walls.
Luckily, there are plenty of relatively cheap and (most importantly for renters) completely removable solutions that can be chopped down to size, painted, and stuck onto walls with command strips – making them easier to remove later.
Check out this interview with TikTok creator Shelby Vanhoy from Better Homes & Garden, who installed elaborate but temporary cornice moulding in her rented flat.
For a regal look, why not consider ornate ceiling medallions, which can sit around your light fixtures? Alternatively, colourful faux wood panel wainscotting can provide an eye-catching contrast to subdued wall tones. Wainscotting is also well-placed in hallways and around dining areas where it can protect walls from errant shoes and chairs.
3. Switch out light and bathroom fixtures
Many people don’t realise that landlords are sometimes happy for tenants to replace light and bathroom fixtures (such as taps and showerheads), provided they put the originals back when they move out.
For example, why not trade generic-looking taps for modern, minimalist pieces or grand, brassy numbers? Elevate your living area with a classy chandelier or bring statement lampshades down to eye level with pendant light fixtures.
Swapping out light and bathroom fixtures can have practical benefits too. Upgrading to a modern showerhead can improve your water pressure and low-flow fixtures can help you save money on bills. Plus, choosing light fixtures carefully can help your rooms feel brighter and bigger.
4. Make faux stained glass windows
Stained glass windows aren’t just for churches. Whether you embrace a classic or modern design, they’re a great way to add a splash of colour to your home. Each day, you’ll find yourself looking forward to that moment when the sun peaks through it and bathes your space in what artist David Scheid calls “a temporary psychedelic wash of light.”
However, renters aren’t generally allowed to replace glazing in their homes – plus, proper stained glass pieces can be pretty pricey. Instead, you could consider using removable paints like these from Thorndown and dividing strips on your existing windows, which can create a stained glass effect. The TikTok below from @want.zamora will give you an idea of how effective this can be.
@want.zamora Replying to @mieelceleste DIY stained glass tutorial🪟✨ bought all of my materials from amazon #interiordesign #stainedglass #amazonfinds
♬ original sound - Marco Zamora
Understandably, you might not want to paint directly onto your windows – no matter how removable paint manufacturers claim their products are. In that case, why not make or buy some faux stained glass pieces and lean them on (or hang them in front of) your windows as shown in this article from Urban Cottage Living?
5. Experiment with peel-and-stick splashback
Peel-and-stick splashbacks are self-adhesive panels that you can attach to the wall behind your stove or sink. Not only do they help protect the walls of your rental from water and food but can also add temporary detail to your space. Many imitate ceramic tiles, but you can get ones that mimic other materials like wood and glass.
You can keep it simple with plain faux tiles, add a summery splash of continental expression with these Tuscan-style panels from Wallpops, or give your kitchen a rustic flavour with wood panel stickers like these on Etsy. While many people only cover a strip of their wall with splashback, why not extend it to the ceiling to really make a statement?
Despite the name, splashback doesn’t just work well behind stoves and sinks. For example, you can use it to add colour and character to your staircase or the wall under your kitchen counter.
6. Upgrade light switch and plug socket plates
With bold measures available to us (like painting walls and buying statement piece furniture), little details like light switches and plug sockets can be easily overlooked when enhancing our rented interiors.
However, since we use light switches and plug sockets frequently throughout the day, swapping those plain white plates out for something more in keeping with your space can make a huge difference.
For example, you may want to match them to the colours of other decorative details in your room – for example, knobs, lamps, radiators, and taps – as seen in interior designer Nicola Harding’s house.
You can draw attention to your light switches and plug sockets with ornate and funky options like these polished Georgian brass ones or these cool round mint ones, or you can help them disappear with transparent acrylic plates. Head over to the Architectural Digest website for more ideas.
7. Change window treatments
It’s not uncommon for rental properties to come with flimsy, neutrally-coloured blinds, which might not gel with your decor or function well from a light-blocking perspective. However, provided you have permission from your landlord and can restore everything to how it was when you move out, there’s no reason why you can’t swap them for something more suitable.
Your choice of window treatment can really tie the aesthetic of your indoor space together. Bamboo blinds, for example, while providing privacy, can add some textural detail, let some warm natural light even when closed, and complement timber furnishing.
On the other hand, patterned or brightly-coloured floor-length curtains can bring some extra interest while making your room seem taller. This article from The Spruce has plenty of window treatment ideas for every budget.
8. Freshen up your space with a new coat of paint
Painting walls is one of the most impactful ways to add character to our homes. Light neutral and pastel colours can help our rooms seem bigger and brighter, while darker shades can create cosiness. Plus, studies suggest that different colours can have significant effects on our mood – for example, bright shades can make us feel more upbeat.
However, these benefits aren’t just available to homeowners. With your landlord’s permission, renters might be able to give their indoor space a fresh lick of paint too. If the property is in obvious need of decorating, your landlord may even pay for the paint (after all, it’s cheaper than hiring an expensive decorator).
Of course, how you choose to paint your space is down to personal preference – and your landlord will need to agree with your plans before you start – though the possibilities are almost endless. Check out this article from House & Garden for some inspiration.
9. Cover your cabinets with contact paper
While renters generally can’t replace the cabinets in their homes, they can change how they look with contact paper and a little DIY know-how.
Contact paper is a thin, adhesive vinyl covering that can be cut down and attached to flat kitchen surfaces – like shelves, countertops, and the outsides of cabinets – and removed when you leave. It also provides cabinets with an extra layer of protection from scuffs and stains, helping you safeguard your deposit.
This handy product comes in all kinds of colours and patterns – so you’re sure to find something to suit your taste. It’s great for modernising old-fashioned wooden cabinets, but why not get creative and make an eye-catching toe-kick like this one from Apartment Therapy?
This guide from Home & Texture will show you how to use contact paper.
10. Place battery-operated wall sconces around your home
There are plenty of reasons why interior designers use wall sconces. Paired with traditional overhead fixtures, they can help create layered lighting in our homes, adding depth, texture, and balance to our spaces. We can also use them to illuminate artwork, draw attention to decorative features like fireplaces, and light spaces like dressing tables and reading nooks.
Because traditional wall sconces need to be hardwired into the electrical circuitry of your home, many renters assume that this option is off the table.
However, you could consider buying battery-operated, rechargeable wall lights like these from Pooky. They typically have an element that detaches from the fixture (for this one, it’s the lampshade), which you charge once they’re out of juice using a USB cable. For extra peace of mind, you could consider using command hooks or strips to mount them instead of screws.
Or, if there’s a particular sconce you like but it’s not rechargeable, some crafty renters have figured out that you can replace the bulb with a small puck light, which you can then remove and recharge. Check out this article from Apartment Therapy to see how they’ve done it.
Final thoughts…
While renters might not have the same freedom as homeowners when it comes to home improvements, there are still plenty of ways to add character to your living space – from practical upgrades like blackout curtains to decorative touches like new kitchen cabinet hardware.
However, it’s worth repeating that you should never attempt home improvements without written permission from your landlord. Otherwise, you could be charged to put things back how they were, lose your deposit, or even risk eviction. To find out more about what your rights are as a renter when it comes to home improvements, read this article from Shelter.
And for more home improvement and interior design tips, why not visit our home and garden section? Here, you’ll find various articles – from 8 ways to make your home cosy to 10 ways to bring more light into your home.
Have you made any renter-friendly home improvements? Or have you been inspired by any on this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.