1
Hanging wireless lights
Alice and Lois
Striking lighting enhances any space, and luckily, this DIY project requires no electrical wiring skills or knowledge. Simply attach the LED puck lights to a wicker basket and hang your new fixture from the ceiling on a string. Most puck lights can be controlled with a remote control; all you need to do is replace the batteries periodically.
Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois »
2
Installation of temporary wall molding
Anna Page 3
Try peel and stick wallpaper
Jessica Teich
Jessica Teich, deputy editor of the Good Housekeeping Institute and self-proclaimed “queen of peel-and-stick wallpaper,” renovated her New York City apartment and installed a floral accent wall just outside her bedroom. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is beginner-friendly and designed to be easily removed so it won't leave a sticky residue behind for the next tenant.
FYI: While there are plenty of great wallpaper options out there, GH editors have shared their positive experiences with Spoonflower.
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Four
Make Faux Stained Glass
Beautiful mess 5
It creates the illusion of a built-in shelf.
Madeline Harper
Dress up bare white walls with lightweight, easy-to-install floor-to-ceiling bookshelves (handy when you move into your next apartment!) You might have to drill a few holes in your walls, but that's easy to fix when your lease ends.
Follow designer Anastasia Casey's lead and fill your shelves with books, antiques, and art collections.
6
Consider a peel-and-stick backsplash
Veronica Crawford
While your rental home may not have the kitchen of your dreams, small changes like an earth-toned mosaic backsplash can make a big difference. Peel-and-stick kitchen backsplashes look like ceramic or porcelain tile but are usually made from thick vinyl. They usually come in 10- to 12-inch square sections that you can position and cut to fit your space.
See more Emily Henderson styles »
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7
Replacing lighting fixtures
Brigitte Muller
Swap out boring lighting fixtures for flush mounts, pendants, or chandeliers that bring you joy. Design influencer Bridgette Muller (known as @hummusbirrd on Instagram) believes it's well worth hiring a professional.
“I've heard it's not that hard, but I live in a 96-year-old building and I don't want to be messing with old wiring,” she says. If you plan on taking your light fixtures with you when you move, keep the originals so you can replace them again before you move.
8
Add tile stickers to your bathroom
Kaleidoscope Living Room
Waterproof vinyl tile stickers make it easy to cover your outdated bathroom floor with a playful pattern of your choice. Tile decals can also be used on shower floors and walls.
Note: Tile stickers may not work on all surfaces, so be sure to read the product description before purchasing.
Get the tutorial on Kaleidoscope Living »
9
Light switch cover replacement
Alyssa Gautieri
The property I rent in Jersey City comes with “landlord perks” in many ways, but the thing that bothered me the most was that the outlet and light switch covers had black wall paint on them. New light switch covers are about a dollar a pop and make the room look new. There are plenty of funky light switch covers available if you want to add some personality.
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Ten
Installation of window decorations
Sarah Ligoria Trump
If you've ever moved into a rental home with cheap-looking plastic blinds, or even worse, no window treatments at all, you know that window treatments can really make a space feel more luxurious.
Whether you install roman shades or curtain rods to hang your curtains, remember that you may need to patch any holes if you plan on taking your treatments with you when you move out, but most landlords will consider this an upgrade (so ask if you can leave them).
See more Emily Henderson styles »
11
Replace the shower head
Natalia Robert
Of course, if the showerhead isn't working properly, your landlord will be responsible for replacing it, but if you'd prefer something more aesthetically pleasing (like the gold fixture pictured here by Blythe Interiors) or shower filter options, feel free to tackle the job yourself. In most cases, replacing a showerhead doesn't require any technical skills or plumbing knowledge.
12
Divide the room with curtains
Brigitte Muller
Designer Brigitte Muller, who lives in a train-track apartment in Brooklyn, uses curtains to create a bit of separation between her bedroom and living room. “Curtains, and fabrics in general, are key to making a space feel like a home,” she says. “Curtains really help soften a space and are a great way to add a bit of color, pattern, and texture.”
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13
Try removable tiles in your kitchen
Shelby Turner
Shelby Turner, known on TikTok as @itsmeshelbyturner, recently removed blue geometric peel-and-stick tile from her kitchen floor. Though it took much longer than expected to remove all the residue, Turner says she'd “definitely do this renovation again, and it's suitable for a rental!”
“When it comes to flooring, I would never put peel-and-stick flooring directly on a rental floor again,” she adds. Try placing a sheet of poster paper or shower liner between the original flooring and the peel-and-stick flooring.
14
Hide old countertops
Shelby Turner
In the same apartment, Turner covered plain white kitchen countertops in marble contact paper for a more luxurious look. After a hair dryer, a bottle of Goo Gone, and some manual stripping, Turner rated the job a 7 out of 10.
15
Make a fake fireplace
Pretty in the Pines
Recreate the beauty of a real fireplace with a handmade antique-inspired mantel. Shelby Vanhoy of Pretty in the Pines created this striking piece using MDF boards, Roman clay, and a peel-and-stick brick panel for the centerpiece. The best part is, it's portable if you move.
Get the tutorial at Pretty in the Pines »
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16
Cabinet Hardware Updates
Megan Byerly O'Brien
Replace simple kitchen knobs and handles, but make sure to store them in a safe place and replace them before you move in. Here, Caren Rideau of Kitchen Design Group pairs striking gold hardware with white cabinetry for a chicer look.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the Associate Lifestyle Editor at Good Housekeeping, covering all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she contributed to publications such as ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine, and LODGING Magazine, as well as creating product copy for home brands such as BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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