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These rental design hacks will instantly transform your apartment.
Let’s be real…apartment living can be a bit basic — leaving you with a space lacking character. But, it doesn’t have to stay that way. With the right design hacks, you can totally level up your apartment and make it feel like you were meant to live and thrive there.
Whether you’re dealing with white walls, weird layouts, or a strict no-nail policy, we’ve got you covered. These easy, renter-friendly tricks will help you add personality and cozy style to your home without blowing your budget.
It’s time to turn your space into the place you’ve always dreamed of coming home to! Keep reading to see how to customize your apartment with these 12 must-try design hacks.
READ NEXT: 12 Genius Renter-Friendly Bathroom Decorating Ideas to Make It Look Custom
12 Must-Try Apartment Design Hacks
1. Peel & Stick Kitchen Backsplash Tiles
One of the easiest ways to transform your apartment kitchen is installing kitchen backsplash tiles. They are super simple to apply, and come in so many adorable colors and styles — making it a great way to add your personal style to the space.
Checkered Peel & Stick Tiles
Pink Vertical Peel & Stick Tiles
2. Swap Out Hardware
Changing the hardware will instantly change the vibe of your apartment too. From kitchen cabinets, to bathroom drawers and doorknobs, these small details will make all the difference. Plus, it further creates a more custom space and match the aesthetic of the other upgrades you make to the place.
Pro tip: As you swap out the hardware, place it in a ziplock with a label (handles, knobs and every screw), so that you can reinstall the original fixtures when it’s time to move out.
Brushed Brass Handles
Polished Nickel Vintage Ball Knobs
3. Add New (or Swap) Light Fixtures
Whether you’re adding a small table lamp to your kitchen counter swapping out a light fixture all together, this will create a cozy glow to your space. It’s crazy how much a light fixture can add character to a space.
Rechargeable Wall Sconces
Wicker Pendant Lamp
4. Install Peel & Stick Wallpaper
We’ve installed peel and stick wallpaper multiple times in spaces we’ve lived in, and it makes all the difference. There are a TON of different peel and stick wallpapers to choose from — everything from classic stripes, to minimal patterns or bold floral prints.
When installing the wallpaper, we recommend doing it with two people. Trying to do it by yourself will take so long and may cause you more agony than it’s worth — although it is still doable.
Gretchen Wallpaper
Serene Scenes Toile Wallpaper
Latte Coral Wallpaper
French Stripe Wallpaper
5. Splurge on a Few Items, Save on Others
When moving into a new place, our rule of thumb is to make enough room in your budget to splurge on a a few items and save on others. Items like couches, beds and dressers may not fit when you move to a new place, so you may have to splurge and purchase larger pieces that fit custom to your current apartment.
Some items we choose to save on are decorative items like decorative pillows, small decorative items, small table and basic linens.
6. Layer Rugs, Pillows & Bedding for a Luxe Feel
A great way to make your apartment feel more custom and luxe is layering textiles. Things like rugs, decorative pillows on your couch and creating layers of bedding can make your space feel more intentionally designed.
7. Use Unwanted Features as an Opportunity for Design
There’s almost always a feature in your apartment that is instantly an eyesore. Control panels, electrical breakers and random columns can be a perfect opportunity for a design solution.
You can cover electric breaker doors with a piece of art. It’s easily removable when you need access to it. Plus, you could wrap unwanted columns with wallpaper or a more unique option, rope.
@livyrduncan I repeat, buy gloves if you decide to do this hack… your fingers will thank me later. #apartmenthack ♬ original sound – Olivia Duncan
8. Install Remote Control Shades
Window shades can be an investment, but adding them will make your space feel incredibly custom. It’s such a simple upgrade that you won’t regret doing and having them remote controlled is hack we wish we knew existed sooner.
Woven Wood Blinds – Remote Controlled
Motorized Shades
9. Add Stylish Storage Moments
There’s truly never enough storage in an apartment. Finding genius ways to conceal storage without compromising design is a must! That’s why adding stylish dressers and cabinets to your entry, living room and bedroom will make the design of your space feel more cohesive.
Emmeline Storage Console
Saracina Arched Storage Cabinet
10. Apply Contact Paper to Cabinets and Counters
Is the biggest monstrosity in your kitchen the color or your cabinets? Maybe it’s the countertops? Luckily for you, there’s a way you can transform both of these to create the aesthetic you’ve dreamed of — it’s called contact paper.
Contact paper comes in so many different colors and styles, much like other peel & stick products. Plus, it’s completely removable when it’s time to move out.
@lc_designsnyc my favorite (+cheapest) hack to upgrade your rental!! #nycapartment #apartmentdecor #renterfriendly #apartmenttour #rentalfriendly #rentershack #renterfriendlymakeover #renterhacks #diy #diyproject #diymakeover #kitchenhacks #kitchenmakeover #transformation #homedecor #beforeandafter #thenandnow #cozyathome #cozyhome #nancymeyersaesthetic #nancymeyers #streeteasy #apartmentdecor #apartmenttour @Amazon Home ♬ A Summer Place – Hollywood Strings Orchestra
White Contact Paper
Brown Wood Contact Paper
11. Peel & Stick Floor Tiles
From your kitchen, to your entryway and to your bathroom, peel and stick tiles can instantly add a custom look to your home. After all, ugly floor tiles can completely kill the vibe of any space.
It’s exactly like peel and stick backslash in that it’s easy to install and remove. Plus, it’s an inexpensive way to make the most of the design your trying to achieve.
@mycityapartment Let me knownif you have any questions 🙂🙂 #nycapartment #peelandstick #diyprojcts #apartmentdecorating ♬ original sound – Carly Fuller
Jade Checkered Peel & Stick Tiles
Jamila Peel & Stick Tiles
12. Hang Curtains
We can never talk enough about how hanging curtains in a room can make it feel cozier and softer. If you’re allowed to drill into your walls, then you can hang curtains with a traditional curtain rod. However, if you can’t make a dent in your apartment walls, a tension rod is a create way to create a similar look and feel without putting a hole in the wall.
Cotton Slub Curtain
