Renting can make decorating frustrating. You might hate the lighting, handles or flooring, but you don’t want to do anything that could cause problems with your deposit. There is still quite a lot you can change without doing anything permanent. Start with things you can remove, swap back or take with you when you leave. Lighting, rugs, removable wallpaper, cabinet handles, plants and curtainsare great additions to your home.
What you can usually change in a rental
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Your tenancy agreement should always be the first thing you check. Anything involving drilling, painting, plumbing or electrics may need permission, even if you think you can put it back afterwards. For smaller changes, ask your landlord if you’re not sure. Explain what you want to do and whether it can be removed when you leave. Get the answer in writing too.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper
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Peel-and-stick wallpaper is useful if you want colour or pattern without using paste. The quality varies though, so don’t just buy the cheapest roll. I tend to prefer a thicker vinyl or fabric-backed option. They are generally easier to position and don’t show every tiny bump in the wall. Very thin plastic versions can be harder to put up neatly.
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Check the wall before ordering anything. It needs to be clean, dry and reasonably smooth. Textured walls can be difficult, and newly painted walls may also need time before adhesive products can be used on them. Check the wallpaper manufacturer’s instructions first. Getting the first strip straight makes the rest much easier. Peel the backing away a little at a time and smooth it down as you go. Take the same care when removing it. Pull it back slowly rather than ripping it away from the wall. If the adhesive is stubborn, low heat from a hair dryer may help loosen it.
Our bedroom wallpaper ideas have more ideas if you’re deciding on colours or patterns.
Swap the handles, but keep the old ones
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Changing cabinet handles is an easy update, especially in a kitchen that feels dated. Sometimes the cabinets themselves are fine and it is the handles making them look old. Measure the existing holes before buying replacements. Ideally you want new handles that fit the same holes, so there is no need to drill into the doors. Keep all the original handles, screws and fittings together in a labelled bag. When you leave, you can put them back.
Use lighting you can take with you
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Lighting can make a rented room feel quite different without touching the electrics. If all you have is one ceiling light, add table lamps or a floor lamp. Plug-in wall lights are useful too if you don’t want to hardwire anything. Look at the bulbs as well. If the lighting feels harsh, try a warm white bulb around 2700K. It usually gives a softer light than a cool white bulb, especially in bedrooms and living rooms.
In a kitchen, battery or plug-in lights underneath cabinets can help with dark worktops. Just be careful with adhesive strips and check they won’t damage the finish when removed.
Mirrors, rugs and things that don’t need fixing to the wall
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A large leaning mirror is useful when you don’t want to drill into a wall. It can work in a bedroom, hallway or living room and you can take it with you when you move. Rugs are another easy one. They can cover flooring you don’t like and help separate areas in an open-plan room. Size matters though. A rug that is too small can make the furniture look a bit lost, so measure before buying. Our guide to choosing the right rug size explains what to look for.
You should also look at what you can remove rather than what you can add. Too much on kitchen worktops, bathroom shelves or small tables can make a room feel busy. Put away what you don’t use every day and see how the room looks before buying more accessories. If you don’t like the curtains or blinds that came with the property, you may be able to replace them temporarily. Tension rods and some clip-on systems don’t need drilling, but check what weight they can hold.
What you should leave alone
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Some things can’t be done in a rented home unless you have permission. You shouldn’t paint walls without written agreement. Even if you plan to repaint them before leaving, the landlord may want a particular colour or finish. I would also leave plumbing, electrical work and fixed fittings alone unless the landlord has agreed to the work and the right tradesperson is doing it. Traditional pasted wallpaper is another one I’d avoid. It can be difficult to remove cleanly and you may end up damaging the wall underneath.
Before you move out
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Take photos before you make changes, especially if you’re removing handles, curtains or other fittings. Take another set once everything has been put back. Keep the original pieces together from the start. Don’t put a few handles in a kitchen drawer and the rest in a box somewhere else. Two years later you probably won’t remember where they are.
Need help with a rented room?
You can still design a rented home properly, you just have to work within what you can change. Our online interior design service can help with furniture, colour, lighting, layouts and the smaller details without needing major work to the property. If you’re buying or renovating in the future, you can also read our guide on how much an interior designer costs in the UK. If you have a room you’re stuck with now, book a free consultation and tell us what you’re working with.
About the author
Founder and Interior Designer
Samantha-Jane Agbontaen is the founder of House Designer and has worked in design for sixteen years. She works with clients on interiors at different stages, from rented homes and first properties to larger renovations, and regularly gives interior design advice to the press.