Spruce Up Your New Home With These Renter-Friendly DIYs

More often than not, rentals have some…questionable old cabinets in the kitchen. Usually, it's oak and appears like they came straight out of a '90s sitcom, which is fine if that’s your style. But if you like a more modern look, invest in some cupboard contact paper with the wood finish of your dreams. Application may take some time and concentration, but the finish makes it worth it, and when you’re ready to move out, all you have to do is peel.

A simple hack to immediately elevate your windows to look pricier is by utilizing electrical tape or a peel-and-stick mold to create a black grid effect on top. The look is refined and fitting for an "Architectural Digest" ad.

Although drilling holes in the wall is a fix that can be made with some drywall repair putty, not all renters want to deal with that hassle. If you are worried about causing damage, opt for some heavy-duty command strips that can hold a few extra pounds. You can install shelving units on the wall or hang art that may be on the heavy side.

This hack is great for subtly leveling up any space you live in. Unscrew any cabinet and door knobs and replace them with the ones you fancy. You can also switch out light covers for fun designs or something that doesn’t look like your landlord painted over it a hundred times. Just remember to keep the original knobs and covers tucked away somewhere safe.

Your landlord will not notice this one, and if they do, they’ll probably thank you for it. Make any bathroom or kitchen feel immediately brighter, more vibrant and cleaner by shaving down old dirty grout and refilling it. The difference will make your space look a lot more put-together.

Peel and stick is a renter’s best friend, especially if you hate the flooring at your place. You can select peel-and-stick tiles or wood floor boards to easily cover up outdated floorwork. And like the cupboards, when you are ready to move out, all you have to do is peel.

If you want to showcase special artwork, have dim lights in the hallway for nighttime or simply need a bedroom reading light — you need peel and stick wall lights. Not only do they elevate any space, but they’re easy to install and a convenient alternative to overhead fluorescent lighting. Just be careful removing, because without caution, you can rip off some drywall.

Another peel and stick win — wall moldings have been a popular selection for people looking to create an elevated space. These sticks provide an effortless way to add dimension to any plain wall without a hefty fee.

Vertical blinds have been over for like two too many decades. They're heavy, not visually appealing and require a little too much effort to open and close. Make the easy swap of removing the actual blinds off their hooks and replacing them with a curtain instead. The swap takes no less than an hour and immediately makes the space feel and look better.

If I haven’t said it enough already, peel and stick everything is for the win. If you have outdated counters, go for a marble-looking contact paper to cover them. It lasts a long time and like the other items on this list, requires a low-effort peeling session to remove it all. Contact paper counters are also a low-cost way to get an Instagrammable kitchen.

Refer to list item three and go for heavy-duty command hooks to hang heavy mirrors or live a little dangerously and get some drywall hooks (you can cover up later with wall putty). Adding mirrors makes any space look larger and if you are living in a smaller rental unit, it can do wonders for making rooms brighter.

The safest renter-friendly decor hack is to just add rugs in every room. They add dimension and personality to your space and it is impossible to create any damage with them — it would be impressive if you managed it.