Budget-friendly DIY upgrades for renters

Refreshing your walls without painting

In most rentals, painting or putting up wallpaper is a no-no, and many don’t want you hammering picture hooks into the walls either. So how do you dress up the blank (often magnolia) canvas without risking the deposit?

Don’t use blue or white tack. It won’t be strong enough for anything heavier than paper, and it also leaves greasy marks on walls which is a big red flag to your landlord after you leave. Instead, use adhesive hooks to hang everything from photo frames to mirrors, decorative lights to Christmas decorations!

Adhesive hooks are great. Not only are they available in various sizes to hold different weights, but they don’t leave any residue when they’re removed. You can use a hook and take advantage of the wire on your frame, or opt for two hanging strips which attach to either side – this technique is especially useful for heavier frames.

Tile ideas for the bathroom and kitchen

You’re not about to start retiling your walls if you’re in rented accommodation, but you can customise your splashbacks with some clever stick-on tiles! It’s as easy as cutting out what you need, peeling and sticking over your existing tiles. When the time comes to move, you just peel them off again – simple!

You can use these behind the hob and under kitchen cabinets if you have tiles there already, as well as the bathroom basin. It’s an easy and budget-friendly DIY upgrade to add your spin on things without the faff. We have a step-by-step blog on how to apply self-adhesive wall tiles to help you.

Lighting upgrades – no rewiring required

Layer your lighting

The most effective lighting is achieved by layering. So, while you can’t add any more ceiling lights in a rented home, you can take full advantage of adding some plug-in floor lamps and table lamps into the mix which can give a lovely ambience.

Throw some shade

Uninspiring (or even non-existent) lightshades for your ceiling lights are also really easy to replace with something you love – just don’t forget to keep the original and swap it back before you move out!

Use battery-powered spotlights

These handy little lights are great for using under kitchen cabinets, on bookshelves, or anywhere else which needs a little more light. As they’re battery powered, there’s no need to go fiddling with any wires.

Switch out the bulbs

Most landlords won’t mind, and probably won’t notice, if you change the lightbulbs in your ceiling lights. We’d always recommend using LED as they’ll last much longer and save you money on the electricity bill. Make sure to opt for warm white in your living areas, as these are much cosier than cool white.

Stylish storage

Keep your rental clean and tidy while upping your décor with some storage. Nothing makes you feel more house-proud than a clutter-free space, so making the most of storage units around the house can make a big difference.

When it comes to stylish storage, ottomans are a cut above. These upholstered pieces look fantastic in any room and have the added benefit of being used for seating too! They work especially well in hallways, living rooms, and at the end of the bed – it’s ideal for storing towels, blankets and bedding.

Over-door hooks and racks are perfect for rented homes – no screws needed! They’re especially useful in bathrooms for towels or toiletries, as well as bedrooms for extra coats and clothing.

Easy hardware upgrades

Some fixtures in your home are easier to switch out than you may think. Cupboard handles, for instance, can normally be unscrewed from the back and replaced with new handles of your choice – just remember to put the old ones back on before you move out!

In the bathroom, switching out the showerhead is also an easy DIY upgrade, as well as hanging a shower curtain that matches your taste.

Bored of boring blinds? If your rental has clip-on blinds, it’s easy to swap them out for something more jazzy or colourful. Simply pop the old ones back in when you move.

Embrace textures for a cosy home

Adding some home accessories is especially useful for rentals! Making the most of cosy furnishings is such as easy way to add some personality and cosiness to your home.

They can have practical uses too! If the floor in your rental home has seen better days, you can cover up any imperfections with a rug, which also ties a room together really nicely.

If there’s curtain rails, why not add some thermal curtains? This will help to keep your rooms warmer in winter, saving you a little bit of money on your heating bill. Adding a selection of throws and blankets is also a welcome sight in the colder months, as well as providing a pop of colour and texture.

Bring the outside in

No matter where you live, houseplants are a wonderful addition to your home. They look great, add a sense of calm, and can really bring a room to life!

Smaller potted plants look great on shelves, bookcases or TV stands, whereas larger houseplants can be a feature in themselves. It’s important to get a houseplant which works for the amount of light it gets – you can learn loads more in our top 10 indoor plants blog.

Give your kitchen a designer look

It’s fair to say that not many rental properties have the most stylish of kitchens. If you want yours to be functional as well as good looking, this budget-friendly DIY hack is for you!

Peel-and-stick vinyl film is a fantastic way of completely rejuvenating your kitchen without being permanent. Shop from loads of designs, from marble effect to wood effect, and stick down to your existing countertops, cupboard doors or drawers. It’ll make your kitchen look fantastic, and it’s easy enough to remove later with a little heat.

For the full rundown on how to kit out your kitchen, our blog on how to apply self-adhesive vinyl film is here to help.

Top tip: you can use vinyl film to cover old furniture too – it’s great for upcycling anything second-hand or that’s seen better days!