6 Ways To Elevate Your Rental

Are you a renter looking for ways to update your apartment but not sure where to start? Look no further–we’ve got 6 easy and affordable renter friendly upgrades to transform your space without breaking the bank! From DIY projects to design ideas, these renter-friendly upgrades will add personality and instant charm to any rental. So let’s get started on giving your rental apartment a refresh with these renter friendly upgrades.

Apartment dwellers can elevate their rental by making small changes to the space. Adding a fresh coat of paint, upgrading outdated appliances and fixtures, and investing in modern décor can make a big difference.

If you live in a rental home, you may think that you need to wait to even start thinking about creating your dream home. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. With these six easy and affordable renter-friendly upgrades, you can kick start your next redecorating project or turn your rental into a stylish and beautiful space.

#1 REFRESH THE OLD PAINT JOB

I know that when I first moved into the apartment that I’m in now, the paint was looking a little dull and very very outdated. I could hardly find a match to it and wasn’t entirely sure if that paint color was even worth redoing. So I ended up going for a bright and airy off white wall paint and my bedroom looks a million times better.

Fortunately, you can quickly and easily upgrade the look of your rental with a fresh coat of paint. Even with the very nuanced differences that you’ll find running into choosing paint for your walls, you can still choose a color that will elevate the atmosphere of your apartment. This will provide a pristine base for which you can build upon with other renter-friendly upgrades.

#2 SWAP OUT YOUR OLD LIGHT FIXTURES

Lighting has the power to transform the look and feel of your rental apartment. Installing new fixtures can instantly bring a modern, stylish touch to your space without much effort or expense. Whether you opt for an eye-catching chandelier, a contemporary sconce or a bright pendant light, swapping out your old lighting fixture is an easy and affordable way to update any room in your home.

#3 UPDATE YOUR WINDOW COVERINGS

I cannot explain to you the intense gratification I felt uninstalling the hideous window blinds that were on every window in this apartment. As a long time renter, I have always had extreme disdain for the cheap, dust collecting window coverings.

Replacing your old window treatments with more modern and stylish options can instantly upgrade the look of your space instantly. Whether you choose to go for light-filtering shades, pleated drapes, blackout curtains, or something else entirely, updating your window treatments is an affordable and easy way to add character to any room without breaking the bank.

#4 SWAP OUT OUTDATED HARDWARE

Hardware and fixtures in your apartment, like door handles, cabinet knobs and drawer pulls, can quickly become outdated. Fortunately, you don’t need to renovate the entire space to upgrade these items. Swapping out the dated hardware with contemporary materials and finishes is a simple way to bring new life into your rental and give it a more sophisticated look. Certain finishes like silver or chrome are much more current and can be add a bit of luxury to your home.

Changing the door knobs and drawer pulls is an easy and affordable way to instantly upgrade any room in your rental. Most landlords won’t mind as long as you put the original hardware back when you move out.

#5 ADD SOME COLOR ACCENTS

Adding even just a few pops of color can really brighten up a space without needing much time or money invested. I really wanted to add some color to the doors and trims of my bedroom to compliment the Marshmallow White I chose from Sherwin Williams. In the end I decided to go with Jogging Path from SW and I absolutely love it. I think the trim and doors give me that little bit of interest the room was lacking before.

There are many ways to add a splash of color to your rental apartment. You can try adding color to the trims, doors or window frames. You can even add some color to your kitchen backsplash and transform your entire space in minutes. These are a great way to add fun patterns, colors, and textures without committing to a full renovation. Plus, they peel off just as easily as they go on so you won’t have any trouble removing them when it’s time to move out!

I even love the idea of creating a beautiful accent wall and might actually do so to my dining room space. The verdict’s not out on that one yet! Paint is an easy renter friendly accent wall option. An accent wall is the perfect way to make any room stand out without having to repaint the entire room. Choose a wallpaper or paint color that contrasts with the other walls in the room, then add some artwork or shelves filled with books to draw attention to it. I think a little bit of unexpected color can go a long way in giving your rental that extra flair of style.

#6 Cover Up Dated Flooring

While you can’t do much about that ugly carpeting or outdated tile in your rental, you can certainly cover it up until you move out. Rugs are an excellent way to hide and disguise carpeting. I think layering rugs can actually give the entire room a more stylish look and can be just as effective in hiding dated flooring. It’s also a good way to redirect focus to the other elements in your room such as furniture, art pieces and lighting fixtures. Area rugs are a great way to add color and texture to a room and make it feel more cozy and inviting.

If you have tile, I suggest trying out peel and stick floor coverings. These are a great way to instantly update your space and can easily be taken off once you move out. You can find these adhesive floor vinyl stickers in a variety of styles, sizes and prices. I really love these Altair ones I found on Amazon a while back. I’ve since repurchased them for a few other projects.

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Upgrading your rental apartment doesn’t have to be hard! With these 6 rental friendly upgrades, you can easily give your space an upgrade on a budget in no time at all. So what are you waiting for? Get started on giving your rental apartment a refresh today!

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