3 Renter-Friendly Ways To Upgrade Your Space That Are Actually Worth It

As someone who has lived in countless rentals over the years, I know a thing or two about making do in quirky spaces with uneven walls, sloping floors, outdated appliances, poor lighting, and less-than-ideal layouts. (And yes, I always choose the character-filled old house over the shiny new apartment, so to some extent, I know what I’m getting into.) But regardless of new or old, it can be hard to really curate a living space that feels like you without making major changes. 

Often, how long you’re planning to be in a space determines the amount of time and energy you’re willing to put into it, but I’ve also learned to not feel confined by what feels right in my current space. One of the easiest ways to make a space feel like home, without touching the infrastructure, is investing in pieces, whether it's furniture, art, or vintage glassware that you truly love because those things can move with you wherever you go next. 

The predicament I always find myself in is not wanting to invest in something I don't own, but also waiting to make it feel like home. (I’m sure I’m not the only renter who feels this way.) No one wants to pour their hard-earned money into home improvement projects when you’re living in a temporary space. So my rule of thumb has become: focus on improvements that can move with you…and paint! 

In my first rental home (which could have used a lot more TLC), the first thing I did was repaint the off-putting, yellowing white walls in my room with a fresh warm white coat, and oh boy did that make the biggest difference! The room was also the size of a shoebox and I had no room for any furniture aside from my twin-sized bed and tiny dresser, so my mom quickly encouraged me to install some floating shelves—game changer. Of course, Mom always knows best!

If there is one big thing I’ve learned in my 6+ years of renting—and the far too many spaces I’ve resided in, however temporary they’ve been—it’s not to be afraid of putting holes in the wall! (Unless your lease specifically forbids it, in which case I would not be signing it.) 

With that in mind, these are the three things that can make the biggest difference in your space and require little to no money. 

Create Softer Lighting

Lighting is a huge mood shifter and way to control the atmosphere of your home. For a calmer and more welcoming space, softer and warmer lighting is the key.

Unfortunately, most rental properties (at least those I’ve lived in) don’t have dimmers for overhead lighting. While you're welcome to take a page out of my book and unscrew a light bulb or two from the pendant fixture over your dining table for dinner parties because sometimes you just have to work with what you have (though this certainly isn’t the best solution for achieving a better ambiance), here are three great ways to soften and better control your lighting.

Light Covers

My new favorite way to soften overhead lighting are these easy-to-install light covers from Tulip. I hung one over my existing overly-bright ceiling light fixture in my living room and it has made a world of difference. They take less than 5 minutes to install thanks to command strips and can easily be taken with you when you move out and reinstalled in your next home.

Lamps

In other areas of my home, where turning on harsh overhead lighting isn’t necessary, I avoid the switch at all costs and rely on a mix of floor and table lamps to illuminate the space. If you don’t have convenient outlets, consider cordless fixtures. My favorite new find is this customizable table lamp from Pooky Lighting.

Patterned Shades

Another way to create a moodier space is by bringing color or pattern into your shades. If you’re up for a DIY project, you can even take a ho-hum white shade and add your own flair to it with some fabric glue and fabric. Or if you have an artistic eye, paint it! While this lighting hack might not be for everyone, if you have a little bit of patience and some fabric remnants, it’s far less expensive than buying a unique shade.

Simply measure the fabric to cover the outside of your shade with enough on the top and bottom to fold over the edge. Apply glue to the inside edges and press and hold the fabric to the shade until the glue sticks. If your shade tapers towards the top, you’ll want to cut your fabric into three panels to glue on individually. 

Fill Your Walls 

Trust me, filling a few holes when it comes time to move out is 100% worth it. For me, no matter how long I’m living in a space, constantly looking at empty walls feels sad. I'm always adding to my gallery wall or finding a new spot to add something.

Artwork 

Whether your jam is framed concert posters, record sleeves, personal artwork, a collection of matchboxes in a shadow box, or passed-down pieces from family…just put something on the wall! In my house, postcards, wallpaper scraps, prints collected from travels, and friends' artwork in thrifted frames hang alongside my first properly framed big art purchase from the Atlanta Artist Collective and one of my grandmother's paintings.

Shelving

If your home isn’t equipped with open shelving, built-in bookcases, or glass-front cabinetry, installing a few floating shelves in a well-considered location can help keep other surfaces from feeling cluttered. Shelves are a great spot to display a few of your favorite things that are less coffee table-friendly like vintage glassware collection, passed down silver, matchbooks, beloved cookbooks, or framed notes.

Supporting the weight of shelves does require heftier mounting equipment and screws which can often leave larger holes than just hanging a picture frame, but it’s nothing a little drywall spackle or putty, sand paper, and paint can’t fix later. 

Paint Your Space

Whether you’re looking to coat a whole room, a front door, or a single wall, paint can go a long way in making a space feel like your own. Though you can't take your paint job with you to your next rental, a small can of paint, roller or brush, tape, and a rainy afternoon dedicated to the task isn’t too much of a heavy lift and won’t break the bank.

Before you break out the brush, it’s always a good idea to consult your lease or talk to your landlord first. Many rental properties are okay with paint, but may request you repaint it back upon moving out, so just make sure you know the original shade.