How to deck out your apartment in landlord-friendly decor

To thumbtack or not to thumbtack? That is the question, and it’s just one of the many questions new renters will face when choosing decor for their next place. Making an apartment feel like home is one of the first things on every renter’s mind. The only problem? Their security deposit is probably second. So how are the interior design-inclined supposed to thrive when they’ve got their impact to consider? These decorating tips from KSL Homes will help make your rental shine and hopefully get you that deposit back. 

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Talk to your landlord before decorating

You might think you know what your landlord will say about decorations, but you never know until you ask. They might be a lot more lenient than you think! Or a lot more strict … 

For example, you might assume your landlord wants you to use adhesive hooks for decorations instead of tacks or nails. However, some landlords might worry about paint stripping, in which case they might prefer you make a few small, easily spackled holes instead. You never know until you ask, and it’s best to hammer down the details before you start hammering in nails.

Consider personal touches first

The right rug or bed set can go a long way, but we’d recommend keeping important, personal decorations at the front of your mind while you decorate your new place. Whether you’ve got a favorite few pieces of art or want to hang pictures of your family and friends, these are the things that will really make an apartment feel like your own. 

When hanging pictures and art, refer back to the hooks vs. nails question and do whichever your landlord prefers. If you have too many pictures to count, clipping them to strings or hanging lights is a great way to avoid damaging the walls. And if you’ve got a bunch of empty wall space, look for a cool tapestry or flag to fill that space.  

Try removable wallpaper

Whether your walls are “Mind Numbing White” or “Headache Inducing Yellow,” you might need a new hue to feel like a new you. That’s where removable wallpaper comes in! You’ll be able to decorate your wallspace how you like and peel it right off when it’s time to move. And this isn’t your grandma’s wallpaper — it will actually peel off, no construction crew needed. No matter what pattern or print you want, there are a myriad of options to choose from with this increasingly popular trend. Similarly, you can also brighten up your kitchen sink with a removable backsplash!

Play with the lighting

There’s a lot about decorating your apartment that you can’t control, but you can always control the way it’s lit. Whether that means buying hanging lights to string around the room, finding some cool vintage lamps or optimizing the layout to get the most out of your natural light, lighting might be one of the easiest ways to quickly affect an apartment’s mood. There’s plenty of cute and cozy options for lighting out there, and there’s bound to be a solution that makes your place feel just right.

Hang or lean mirrors

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the fairest apartment of them all? You, if you use mirrors to maximize your apartment’s sense of space and lighting. Mirrors are an easy way to liven up — and lighten up — a room, whether they’re on a dresser, desk, doorway or just hanging up. Nowhere to hang them? No problem. You can lean mirrors easily on the floor or a desktop for an easygoing, uncomplicated look. 

Shell out for some shelves

If you’re wondering “How do I maximize space?” and “Where the heck do I put this?” at the same time, more shelves may be the answer. Ample shelving in your apartment can help with both storage needs and decoration. So whether you’re lacking in closet space or just need a place for framed pictures, it might be time to search for some shelves. This could mean adding easily installable floating shelves or finding an antique bookshelf to stow books, knickknacks and pictures.

Put in some plants

How do you add more life to your apartment? How about by literally adding more life to your apartment? Plants bring a calming yet lively presence to any space, and they could be just the thing to upgrade your apartment in an instant. Not ready for plant parenthood? Try starting small. Visit your local nursery or do some online research about which houseplants are best for beginners. Still intimidated? Well, they’re doing some amazing things with plastic nowadays.

Other tips and tricks

Looking for more ways to make your apartment pop? If you’ve got hardwood floors, the right rug can make all the difference in both style and comfort. Similarly, replacing your apartment’s drab curtains with some colorful ones of your own can really liven up your space. (Just be sure to stash the building’s curtains for later). Finally, whether you’re looking for a nap-friendly couch or a coffee table to help you finally utilize your coffee table books, furniture is probably the easiest thing to control without altering your living space. 

Look for a place to rent on KSL Homes

There are plenty of ways to put your mark on an apartment without putting marks all over it, and putting in the effort to make a rental feel like home is always worth it in the end. Find your next rental on KSL Homes, and find the unique furniture, plants and decor that will make it yours on KSL Classifieds.