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Make a Rental Feel Like Home: 14 Renter-Friendly Decorating Hacks

If you’re living in a rental that doesn’t feel like “you,” you’re not alone. Moving into a rental often means dealing with boring walls, outdated fixtures and flooring that has seen better days.

You want your space to feel like home – but it’s hard when you’re not sure what you’re allowed to change or how long you’ll stay.

But just because you don’t own the space doesn’t mean it can’t feel like home.

After downsizing from a 3,800 sq. ft. home to a 2,000 sq. ft. rental, we felt disconnected and disoriented and learned firsthand how frustrating it can be to feel stuck in a space that doesn’t reflect your personality or style.

So instead of waiting for the “next place,” we started making small, thoughtful updates – and those changes helped us feel grounded again.

This post if for your if you’re:

  • Staring at blank walls and wondering how to make it feel cozy
  • Unsure what’s allowed in your lease
  • On a budget but craving beauty, comfort and personality in your space.

Here are 14 renter-friendly decorating ideas that are easy to reverse, affordable to try, and designed to help you feel settled—no matter how temporary your home might be.

Before You Begin: A Gentle Guide for Getting Started

You can personalize your space without creating conflict or risking your deposit. Here’s how to start:

  • Read your lease carefully: It’s the best place to understand what’s allowed.
  • Start a conversation with your landlord: Most are open to updates as long as you restore things later.
  • Keep all original fixtures: Store them safely so you can reinstall when you leave.
  • Take before photos: This protects you from being blamed for pre-existing wear.

Want help asking the right questions? We’ve created a free checklist you can download at the end of this post to help you talk confidently with your landlord before you start decorating.

14 Ways to Make Your Rental Feel Like Home

(Some affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here.)

Decorating a Rental - how to love where you live, even if it's temporary!

1

Swap Out The Window Treatments

Curtains don’t just block light – they soften a room and signal that someone cares about this space.

Unfortunately, most rentals come with generic blinds or dingy curtains making any space feel impersonal.

In our rental, these curtains were (barely) hanging on the windows. They were dirty, ugly and not our style at all.

Replace them with panels you love—whether it’s cozy linen, playful prints, or something that makes you smile.

We replaced them with some blue ones that matched our style better and it instantly elevated the space.

living room with gold couch and blue curtains
Temporary Wallpaper Tutorial: How we were able to easily hang fabric using starch

2

Use Removable Wallpaper… or Fabric!

You deserve to be surrounded by color and pattern that reflects you – even if it’s temporary.

Today’s peel-and-stick versions have gotten so much better over the years. They are renter-safe and easy to apply.

Or try our favorite budget version: fabric and liquid starch (yes, it really works!).

living room with gold couch and inset entertainment center and blue curtains

3

Layer Rugs to Cover Worn Floors

If stained carpet or scratched floors are bringing you down. area rugs can anchor your room and lift your spirits.

Choose textures that feel good underfoot and colors that bring your personality and coziness into your space.

black and white photos placed in a grid on a wall in a bathroom with ribbon creating a grid

4

Hang Art with Command Hooks

Command Hooks can be easily removed, so they are perfect for anywhere you want to hang things temporarily, especially in a rental!

Hang art, mirrors, or even DIY molding (like board and batten) without drilling holes.

This flexible molding could be applied with temporary strips to help create framed moldings in your home.

vintage inspired laundry room with blue front loading washer and dryers

5

Style the Forgotten Corners

That odd nook? The laundry hallway? Utilize unique spaces in your rental as a place to decorate.

We had an odd laundry room that was smack in the middle of the house.  We made it a showpiece by adding our favorite decor and making it stand out.

Add a plant, hang a shelf or use baskets for beauty and function.

When you care for the small spaces, the whole home feels more loved.

dining table in front of sliding glass doors with blue curtains

6

Give Every Room a Role

You’re allowed to create a home that works for the season you’re in.

When we lived in our rental, we were homeschooling our boys, so we turned our dining room into a homeschool space and squeezed our dining table into our den.

Don’t be afraid to flip rooms around to serve your actual life, not just the floor plan.

It took just six weeks to take my kitchen from meh to amazing - and I did it all for less than $1500! This timeless farmhouse kitchen remodel was done on a tight budget, working with counters I didn't love, but can now manage with this new look!

7

Replace Outdated Hardware

Switching knobs and pulls is easy, inexpensive, and totally reversible.

Plus you can bring them with you when you leave and add them to your new home!

An easy but dramatic change that can really elevate a space!

8

Change Out Light Fixtures (Safely)

A simple fixture change can bring warmth and charm into the heart of your home.

If you’re comfortable with basic electrical skills, replace that dated light or fan with something you love.

Another Tip: You could simply add removable contact paper to your fan blades to give it a new look. We did that to the ceiling fan in our guest room for just $10!

9

Add Cozy, Plug-Free Lighting

Lighting changes mood – and mood shapes your experience at home.

Bright overhead lights can feel sterile. Add softness with:

  • Battery Operated Sconces
  • Smart Plug Lamps
  • Fairy lights or string lights

We used these smart remote controls to turn on/off lights that don’t have a switch control.

10

Upgrade the Shower Head

You deserve a joyful shower every morning. A tiny luxury with a big emotional impact.

Installing a new shower head is a five minute project that delivers a spa level upgrade! Here’s an easy tutorial to check out.

Try a fancy one – a handheld shower head, or one with a built in speaker.

Or maybe one that feels like a rain shower like the one in our Primary Bathroom.

paintable outlet covers

11

Try These Quick Swaps

Even the tiniest shift can make you feel more in control of your space.

These mini updates are low commitment but high impact.

  • Outlet Covers
  • Towel Bars
  • Light Bulbs
  • Toilet Seats and Lids
  • Paint – only if your lease allows
When we were living in a rental, our home was lacking a counter space, so we built a DIY Pallet Kitchen Island for less than $50.

12

DIY a Temporary Kitchen Island

Need more counter space? No island? No problem!

We DIYed a kitchen island on the cheap. We have a full tutorial on how we made the pallet island.

We even took this island with us and updated to fit our next house!

DIY Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel for just over $5000: These bloggers are sharing their secrets on how they saved money on their kitchen remodel!

13

Add a Simple Backsplash

Stick on tile, beadboard, or even temporary wallpaper behind your stove add style in a weekend project.

Decorating a Rental - how to love where you live, even if it's temporary!

We used a scrap piece of beadboard from a project that didn’t survive the move.

We trimmed the beadboard to fit behind the stove and tacked it into place with small finishing nails.

Filling the holes is an easy fix when you are ready to move out.

It was quick, easy, CHEAP and added my own personality to our rental.

Woman Limewashing a wall in green

14

Paint the Walls

Painting walls is, by far, the most affordable update you can make to any room!

And you can agree to paint them back to the original color before you move.

It’s a win/win all around: you get the color you want, and the landlord gets a freshly painted room when you leave.

PRO TIP: Get a swatch of the existing paint.  Go behind a door and carefully cut or peel off a paint chip the size of a quarter.  Take it to your big box store and they can match it using their color match camera.

Tips to Make it Feel Like Home Fast

Feeling at home isn’t about how much you unpack – it’s about what you unpack.

Unpack what matters first: The faster you see yourself in your space, the faster it becomes home.

Hang personal items: Family photos or your favorite art can immediately create a comfy cozy feel.

Add some accessories: Throw pillows, blankets, or books can bring warmth and color into your space.

A rental is still your home. And every small decision you make to care for it bring you closer to peace, joy, and a sense of belonging.

Decorating a rental isn’t just about style. It’s about reclaiming joy in your space.

Want More Ideas + Free Resources?

Need help talking to your landlord or knowing what’s okay to change?

Grab our FREE printable: “Renter-Friendly Decorating: Things to Ask Your Landlord Before you DIY” plus a bonus question sheet to use before you sign the lease!


Free Download

Sign up to get your Free Renter’s Decorating Guide


Here’s the before and afters of our rental space using these tips:

Family Room Before:

beige room with beige carpet and wrong sized curtains hanging above a double window

Family Room After:

living room with gold couch and inset entertainment center and blue curtains

Before:

bare room with beige walls and beige carpet

After:

living room with gold couch and inset entertainment center
Dining room

Kitchen Before:

bare kitchen with light wood cabinets, beige walls and white appliances

Kitchen After:

kitchen with honey colored cabinets decorated with a kitchen island made from pallets

Primary Bedroom Before:

bare room with beige walls and beige carpet

Primary Bedroom After:

master bedroom with leather padded headboard and green curtains

Commonly Asked Questions:

How do I patch holes before moving out?

If you’ve used nails or small screws, patching is easier than you might think:

  • Use leftover paint or bring a sample chip to a store for a color match
  • Fill the hole with sparkle or lightweight wall filler
  • Smooth with a putty knife
  • Once dry, lightly sand and paint over it

Is it worth decorating if I’m only staying a year?

Yes. Always yes.

A year is 365 mornings, 52 weekends, countless meals and memories.

Even if you’re only staying for a season, you deserve to feel settled, supported and surrounded by things that reflect you.

What if I feel stuck or frustrated with my rental?

That’s totally normal. Sometimes a space can feel like a reminder of what’s missing or temporary.

But decorating, even gently, can be an act of hope, healing and ownership of your experience.

Start small. Organize an area. Add a lamp. Display one photo.

You deserve to feel peace in your space. Even if you’re not staying forever.

Finding joy in where you are at the moment you are in – whatever your circumstances are that brought you to your rental – shouldn’t keep you from bringing your home to life with a reflection of you.

Serving your space well is a way to serve yourself, your family, and the people you welcome into it.

Don’t let living in a rental take joy away from allowing you to be you.

Hey There! If you’re new here…

Jen and Trent Fancher

We’re Jen and Trent – your budget-loving, real life DIY BFFs! With years of experience transforming multiple fixer uppers (while raising 2 kids, owning 3 businesses, surviving open heart surgery, and hustling through major financial curveballs), we believe creating a home you love shouldn’t feel overwhelming – or expensive!

From small room renovations to full-home makeovers, we share approachable, step-by-step projects, honest lessons learned, and all the affordable DIY tricks we’ve picked up along the way. Because you deserve a home that makes you smile — without breaking the bank. And yes, friend — you CAN do this!

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