Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

9 Easy Ways to Add Character to Your Rental Without a Permanent Commitment

9 Easy Ways to Add Character to Your Rental Without a Permanent Commitment

These affordable DIY upgrades are suitable for any small space.

When you rent instead of own your home or apartment, you might assume that what you see is what you get. While it's true that you likely won't be able to make any major changes to the existing fixtures or layout, there are plenty of ways to personalize a rental and make it feel like yours. Temporary updates, such as plug-in sconces or peel-and-stick tiles, can bring tons of style, but it's typically best to get approval from your landlord before embarking on a project. "If you're updating in a way that brings value, the majority of landlords will not only approve but be grateful for your work," says Chelsea Coulston, a serial renter whose military family has lived in seven homes in 10 years. Her blog, Making Home Base, chronicles their DIY adventures. She gives her landlord the plan details, including how it will improve the property. Try these affordable DIY upgrades to make a statement in a rental (or any small space).



1. Change hardware.


To instantly add character to a rental, freshen bathroom or kitchen cabinets with modern knobs and pulls. Just be sure to save the originals for when you move out. Look for inexpensive options at retailers like IKEA.

2. Replace switchplates.


For a style boost, swap out old plastic light switch covers for something different. Remove the covers when your lease is up or check with your landlord about leaving them for the next tenant to enjoy. Check out Nostalgic Warehouse plates on Wayfair for stylish, affordable options.

3. Add a ceiling medallion.


Add prominence to a pretty light fixture by hanging a lightweight plastic medallion on the ceiling above it. Look for two-piece split designs-which slip easily around an existing light fixture-at home center stores. Many come primed and ready to paint if you'll like to add an extra pop of color.



4. Install peel-and-stick tiles.


When your dream kitchen is out of reach, stick-on tiles are a frugal shortcut to a pretty backsplash. Sheets of Tic Tac Tiles, for example, come in a variety of colors and styles and start at $35 for a 10-pack. The moisture-resistant sheets can be cut to fit using scissors or a utility knife, then applied over paint, ceramic tiles, mirrors, or wallpaper. If you need to remove the sheets, warm them with a blow dryer to soften the adhesive backing then peel them off. A nonabrasive cleanser removes any leftover glue.

5. Swap out your showerhead.


Don't underestimate the power of a new showerhead. Give your bathroom a spa upgrade for less than $100 with an option like Delta's In2ition FiveSpray Two-in-One Combo Kit ($75, The Home Depot). Bonus: If you buy one labeled WaterSense, you might trim your monthly water bill. (It uses 20% less water than the industry standard.) OK the swap with your landlord or store the original to reinstall.



6. Update lighting.


Sure, you could add another table lamp, but plug-in sconces also add architectural interest with no more hassle than drilling a couple of holes and turning a screwdriver. Or turn recessed lights into pendants for impact in the entry or above a kitchen sink with a simple kit like the Portfolio Polished Nickel Pendant Light Conversion Kit ($25, Lowe's).

For added lighting in the kitchen, install a length of dimmable LED tape light under cabinets. You can customize the Plug & Light LED Under-Cabinet Tape Light Kit (starting at $10, AQLighting) to fit your space.



7. Frame a mirror.


Don't settle for an uninteresting, unfinished wall mirror in the bathroom. Frame it instead. The frame company MirrorMate builds a custom-size frame that sticks onto the mirror edge with heavy-duty tape. It's removable, but it's so good-looking your landlord might ask you to leave it.

8. Repurpose rooms.


When you can't make any structural changes, it's time to get creative with your existing layout. Rethink underused spaces to better serve your needs. Repurpose a coat closet as a pantry, for example, or use a linen closet to store toys.

9. Repaint walls.


So many rentals have beige or yellow-white walls. A fresh coat of paint will give your space a clean backdrop. Many landlords repaint between tenants anyway, but you might want to clear it with yours first before picking up a brush.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
×