How to Decorate When You Rent and Cannot Drill Holes
Living in a rented space can present a lot of challenges, especially when it comes to decoration and expressing your personal style. Many lease agreements strictly forbid causing any damage to the rented property, especially drilling holes into the walls, which can make it hard to decorate your walls with prints and pictures. However, with a little creativity, innovation, and the right decor tricks, you can easily overcome this hurdle and transform your rented property into a space that reflects your unique style and personality.
Classic Sticky Hooks: The Drill Alternatives
It’s far from impossible to hang your prints up without drilling holes. Adhesive hooks and hanging strips are ideal alternatives to drilling in rented spaces. They come in an array of sizes, strengths, and finishes to accommodate a variety of decorative items, from delicate picture frames to hefty mirrors. By following the instructions, these adhesive helpers can support a reasonable load and come off cleanly without damaging your walls.
Command Strips are a popular choice due to their capacity to hold weight and their ease of removal. Simply pull the strip down slowly; it releases its grip without leaving any residue or wall damage. Another advantage is that they are transparent, making them almost invisible and maintaining the aesthetics of your decorations.
Create Decorative Corners with Furniture
If sticky hooks don’t seem to do the trick for you, or you’re looking for heavier, more impactful pieces of decoration, use your furniture! Hanging larger artworks or mirrors against your wall, on top of a console table, or even on the floor gives a relaxed, bohemian feel to your spaces. Take care, however, to secure these pieces securely to prevent them from toppling.
Freestanding furniture, shelves, and storage units are excellent for displaying items. Floating shelves, standalone bookcases, or even decorative ladders can add character to your rooms without having to cause damage to your walls. For lovers of greenery, invest in floor-standing planters to house your favourite indoor plants and trees.
Maximise Window Space
Windows are another excellent place to flaunt your decorative skills. Small, lightweight decorations can be suspended from the existing curtain rods. Hang wind chimes, lightweight art pieces, or sun catchers to add a touch of sparkle to your room. You may also choose decorative window film that not only provides privacy but also filters light beautifully into your space.
Explore the Power of Washi Tape
Washi Tape, a type of decorative Japanese tape, is perfect for adding a splash of colourful patterns and designs around your home. It can virtually stick on any surface and is very easy to remove, without leaving behind any sticky residue. So feel free to go all out and create wall murals, picture frame mockups, or simply line them along your doors and window frames for an edgy look.
Try Wall-friendly Decorations
Finally, opt for wall-friendly decorations like peel-and-stick wall decals or removable wallpaper to introduce colour, texture, and pattern without affecting the wall underneath. They’re easy to use, versatile, and come in an array of designs. From beautiful botanical prints to minimal geometric designs, you’re sure to find something that fits your style.
In Conclusion
With these decor tricks up your sleeve, renting should never limit your creativity or personal style. Turn your rented house into a warm, welcoming, and stylish space that reflects your personality, without landlord disputes or forfeiting your damage deposit. Remember, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and restrictions on drilling holes need not dampen your spark of creativity.
