10 Tips to Personalize Without Permanent Changes

Make it feel like home—without losing your deposit!

So, you’ve got a rental and a vision board—but your lease says no painting, no drilling, and definitely no wallpapering your fridge.
Fear not! You can still turn your apartment into a cozy, beautiful reflection of you, all while keeping your landlord’s blood pressure at a steady level.

Here are 10 clever, fun, and totally reversible decorating tips that will make your rental feel like home—without making your security deposit disappear.

🖼️ 1. Use Command Hooks & Strips Like a Pro

Want to hang art, mirrors, or that quirky thrift-store clock? Command hooks and Velcro strips are your new best friends.
No nails. No holes. No angry phone calls from property management.

Hack: For heavier items, use heavy-duty picture-hanging strips—they can hold up to 16 pounds and still peel off clean.

🎨 2. Go Wild with Removable Wallpaper or Decals

Removable wallpaper is the renter’s magic wand. It comes in endless patterns—from boho chic to art-deco glam—and peels right off when it’s time to move.

Bonus: Wall decals are perfect for kids’ rooms, accent walls, or even adding flair to your fridge.

🪞 3. Add Large Mirrors for Light & Space

Mirrors make any room feel bigger and brighter—without the need to paint or renovate.

Hack: Lean a large mirror against the wall instead of hanging it. It’s bold, stylish, and lease-approved.

🧺 4. Swap Out Hardware (and Store the Originals)

That brushed-nickel drawer pull isn’t your vibe? No problem. Replace knobs on cabinets, bathroom drawers, or closet doors with hardware that fits your style.

Pro Tip: Keep all original knobs in a labeled Ziplock bag so you can reinstall them before moving out. Voila—no trace left behind!

🌿 5. Bring Life In with Plants (Real or Fake)

Plants instantly make a space feel warm and alive. Go for hanging plants, windowsill herbs, or faux plants if your thumb is more beige than green.

Hack: Use cute baskets, mounted wall planters (with Command strips), or a tiered shelf to turn even a tiny space into a jungle oasis.

🖼️ 6. Create a Gallery Wall Without a Single Nail

Print out photos, art, or inspirational quotes, and stick them up using washi tape, poster strips, or magnetic wall grids. It’s fun, changeable, and totally landlord-approved.

Bonus Hack: Frame photos and lean them against the wall on top of furniture for a casual, curated look.

🛋️ 7. Dress Up the Floors with Rugs (Lots of Rugs)

Ugly tile? Scuffed floors? Carpet from 1993? Cover it up with layered rugs in fun textures and patterns. It’s cozy, stylish, and adds instant personality.

Pro Tip: Use double-sided rug tape to prevent slipping without damaging floors.

🛏️ 8. Upgrade Curtains or Use Tension Rods

Switch out those basic blinds for cute curtains. If your lease says “no drilling,” tension rods can be your window’s best friend.

Hack: Tension rods also work inside closets or bathrooms to hang extra storage or cute string lights.

🔲 9. Peel-and-Stick Backsplash or Counter Covers

Yes, it exists—and it’s amazing. Peel-and-stick backsplash can transform your kitchen in under an hour. Peel-and-stick countertop film? Same deal.

Important: Make sure it’s removable (most are), and heat-resistant near stoves. Always test a corner first.

💡 10. Lighting Makes Everything Better

Swap out boring lightbulbs for warm-toned LED ones, add floor lamps, string lights, or battery-powered sconces. You’ll be shocked how much the right lighting changes the mood.

Bonus Hack: Use battery-operated puck lights inside closets or under cabinets for some "fancy" functionality.

💬 Final Thought: Home is How You Style It

Just because it’s a rental doesn’t mean it can’t be your sanctuary. With a few clever, non-permanent upgrades, you can have the stylish, cozy, Pinterest-worthy home of your dreams—and still get your deposit back when you move.

Happy decorating,