15 Temporary Décor Ideas for Renters

Go Modular

Modular sofa in living room — CreativaStudio / GETTY IMAGES

A sectional sofa is easier to get into a smaller space in pieces and can be reconfigured according to the parameters of your room, says interior designer Liz Williams of Liz Williams Interiors. She recommends using coordinating ottomans with convenient storage for throws, remotes, or other clutter. Ottomans can be moved around and also employed as coffee tables (just place a pretty wooden, lucite, or woven tray on top) or seating when needed.

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Keep Walls White

White walls in home corner with chair and plants — Liliia Lytvyn / GETTY IMAGES

Yes, a moody color can bring a lot of design impact. But Atlanta interior designer Michael Habachy recommends saving yourself potential clean-up trauma. "I would say if you are painting and you have to paint it back, dark is going to be a lot more of a headache getting it back to its original color," he says. Plus, white walls can make a smaller space seem bigger.

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Harness the Power of Mirrors

Hanging mirrors — Alexey Shipilov / GETTY IMAGES

Hanging one or several framed mirrors using clear fishing line, a ribbon, or chain on top of the standard plate glass mirror in your bathroom is a great way to add personality, says Williams.

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Swap Out Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Black knobs and pulls in kitchen — Alexander Nevmerzhitsky / GETTY IMAGES

A quick, inexpensive upgrade is swapping out boring bathroom and kitchen hardware. "You could go out and buy a bunch of knobs and change the whole look of your cabinets," says Habachy. And don’t feel like the knobs and pulls have to match your faucets. "We use so many different materials and finishes and we have no problems mixing finishes just like you would with jewelry," he says. He’s especially keen on matte black knobs and pulls. "It just adds a little more high contrast, a little drama," Habachy says.

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Try a Bluetooth Lighting System

Bluetooth-controlled light bulbs are a quick and easy design hack, says Habachy, and an instant way to bring some ambiance to your home, set a party mood, or shift to relaxation mode. Turned on from your phone, they can ensure you never come home to a dark home. "And you can literally turn them off from bed. That’s luxury!" says Habachy.

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Soften With Window Treatments

Window treatment in bedroom — KatarzynaBialasiewicz / GETTY IMAGES

Habachy is not a fan of the ubiquitous, dust-catching Venetian blinds that seem to come with so many apartments. "They're not attractive. So I would always opt for removing the blinds, storing them, and then putting up some really pretty window treatments," he says. Most big box stores offer lots of options, but try to choose something with some gravitas. "What I would recommend for a very luxurious look and feel is the wider panels," says Habachy, or doubling slim panels to mimic that look.

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Use Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Wallpaper in bathroom — Joe Hendrickson / GETTY IMAGES

The great thing about wallpaper is its myriad uses that can give both furniture and whole rooms a bespoke look. Try putting peel-and-stick wallpaper behind the medicine cabinet as a statement wall in a powder room, or use it to glam up the space between shelves on a ho-hum bookcase. Want to cover up a less-than-appealing appliance? You can even wallpaper your refrigerator. Habachy often uses solid wallpaper on ceilings in his high-end home projects. "It could be a pretty texture that looks like silver leaf, that just softens the ceiling," he says.

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Embrace the Power of a Throw Rug

Living room with rug — KatarzynaBialasiewicz / GETTY IMAGES

Throw rugs are a great way to add warmth and personality to your rental, says Williams. "Make it feel like your own by using throw rugs rather than just existing with the carpeting that's already there," she says. Rugs of various sizes are also a great way to differentiate space with an open or studio floor plan.

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Create a Cloffice (Closet + Office)

Closet with desk office — in4mal / GETTY IMAGES

Even a small space can offer work-from-home potential with a closet makeover. A shallow desk that will work in a standard two-feet deep closet, battery-operated puck lights, and some storage can transform an ordinary closet into a WFH superhero. Remove the doors or leave them on to hide away your work when not in use. A stool can be tucked under the desk if space is especially tight.

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Design With Size in Mind

Sofa and coffee table in living room — Artjafara / GETTY IMAGES

"I'm a big big believer in scale," says Habachy, who suggests finding a sofa, coffee table, and other furniture that will be compact enough to make your space feel as spacious and light as possible.

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Use Lamps to Distract From Standard Fixtures

Bedroom with lamp — Liudmila Chernetska / GETTY IMAGES

The overhead lighting that often comes with apartments can be generic. But you can instantly add style and warmth—no drill or nails required—by skipping overhead lighting altogether and using lamps placed strategically in the living room, bedroom, and even the kitchen. There are also plenty of chic sconces that don’t require hardwiring for bedside tables and to flank your sofa. Place the sconce low enough behind a bedside table or sofa, and you won't even notice the cord.

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Install Peel-and-Stick Tile

Bathroom with tile — KatarzynaBialasiewicz / GETTY IMAGES

There’s no better way to make tired linoleum or tile that has seen better days feel fresh and new than removable peel-and-stick tile in a funky pattern from a variety of online and big box stores.

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Use a Gallery-Style Hanging System

Gallery wall with art shelf — KatarzynaBialasiewicz / GETTY IMAGES

Afraid of all the holes created with a gallery wall but want a way to display your favorite artwork or photos? Try a picture rail. Look for a wood, metal, or brass exhibit-style hanging system that only requires a few nails to hang.

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Master the Art of the Lean

Mirror leaning on table — FollowTheFlow / GETTY IMAGES

If you’ve toured a designer show house or checked out a shelter magazine recently, you’ve undoubtedly seen how often tastemakers are using collections of oversized wooden cutting boards, large seagrass trays, and vintage artwork leaned on kitchen counters, living room floors, or even above door frames to strike an eclectic, curated look. Add a stack of leather bound books and a vase filled with olive branches and you have a stylish vignette. Better still, an artfully leaned wooden bowl or vintage black and white photo can hide an ugly outlet or cracked tile or other unpleasant imperfections. Lean an oversized mirror with an ornate frame in the living room for impact you can move around and take to your next home.

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Create a Plant Vignette

Plants on bookshelf — Kostikova / GETTY IMAGES

Nothing brings literal life into a home like houseplants, which can also help you design your space. A draping golden pothos or philodendron plant placed on the top of a bookshelf or kitchen cupboards adds vertical interest and make the ceilings seem higher. Create a plant wall divider in a studio space with a strategically placed bookshelf filled with plants of various types. Clustered in an unused corner at varying heights, hardy plants like monstera, lucky bamboo, and dracaena add interest to wasted spaces.

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