Of all the products we post on Apartment Therapy, the renter-friendly ones are almost always a hit. Things like temporary wallpaper, removable window film, peel-and-stick decals, and flooring coverups make it a little easier to live well in a less-than-perfect rental apartment.
Tempaper Temporary Wallpaper: This removable peel-and-stick paper comes in some very chic patterns that are sold by the sheet. Shown: Tempaper Gio in Gray at Design Public, $75.
Emma Jeffs Window Film: Unlike contact paper, this window film won't leave a sticky residue on the glass — and it's much prettier than your average hardware store sticky paper. Shown: Emma Jeffs Adhesive Window Film in Rose, $79 at 2Jane.
Mibo Tile Tattoos: Cover up an ugly backsplash with these waterproof peel-and-stick decals designed for standard tiles. Shown: 4" Mibo Ventor Tiles in Blue, Set of 6, $18 at 2Jane.
Ferm Living Wall Stickers: This Danish company has some of the prettiest wall stickers we've seen, including a new perpetual calendar designed with chalkboard tiles. Shown: Chalkboard Calendar Wall Sticker, $126.50.
Blik Wall Decals: They have a huge selection of peel-and-stick decals, and you can order custom designs as well. Shown: Fernwood Mirror Decal, $55.
Eazy Wallz: This company makes removable wall murals — or large-scale digital prints — that start around 4 x 6 feet. Shown: Beautiful Waterfall Wall Mural, starting at $249.
Chic Shelf Paper: Dress up the inside of your kitchen cabinets or drawers with cooler patterns than you'd find at the local five and dime. Shown: Kitchen Drawer Liners, starting at $2.50 a sheet.
FLOR Carpet Tiles: Their modular carpet tiles are great for covering up ugly hard flooring, but — unfortunately — they're not meant to be used on top of carpeting. Shown: A Hint and A Whisper Tiles, $6.69/sf.
Eco Woods: If you've got an outdoor patio or a bathroom floor that needs to be covered, these water-resistant wood tiles snap together and can rest on top of a hard surface. Shown: Eco Woods Decking Tiles, starting at $10.
Adhesive Hooks: You can find the basic 3M versions of removable adhesive hooks at the Container Store, but if you're looking for something a little nicer, try these Eva Solo Adhesive Hooks, $35.50 for 3 at Emmo Home.
Top Photo: Tempaper Gio in Gray at Design Public
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Great ideas! I was JUST looking into wall and mirror decals!
As a renter, I am always looking for ways to make my boring cookie cutter apartment interesting, especially if I am only going to be there for a year. This is a great post!
This is perfect! I am looking for some more vinyl decals to adorn my rented apartment walls, and now I have sources for that and other things I can put in my apartment!
Any know where there might be smaller rolls? I'd only need a wee chuck for a backsplash (loving the grey with yellow branchs and birds!)
Any good DIY tips? These are awesome solutions to most renters' decorating issues, but they're a bit pricey. I know I've seen some fabric wall decal tutorials using starch to adhere - what about DIY FLOR-inspired tiles or tile stickers?
Might be time to experiment ...
You can also do what I just did - attach fabric (much cheaper than wallpaper!) with starch, very easily peels off.
Some of these options might be beyond budgets of many renters.
Great post!
Does anyone know where I could find that footed bowl in the photo--or something similar?
Are vinyl wall decals and temporary wallpaper really easy to remove? Anyone have experience? What kinds of surfaces do they work best on?
I'm in love with the mural! and the snap-on wood tiles! Genious :)
Nice ideas! I also worry about the ease of removal. My kitchen does not even have a proper backsplash, but those tile decals might spiff up the bathroom.
With the wood bathroom tiles, I'd worry about mold developing underneath. My NYC rental does not have a reliable vent or fan for the bathroom.
Another option is to use fabric with spray starch as adhesive. I am considering this for my accordion closet doors, but have not tried it yet. Has anyone else?
I love the peel and stick tiles. I am a homeowner and I used them while my hubby & I tried to find the time (and coin) to re-tile our kitchen backsplash. The peel and stick tiles hid the hideous "accent" tiles for a year. Such a life saver! (Now we have a lovely white herringbone pattern using subway tiles). Home Depot is where I bought our peel & stick tiles. They came in bright turquoise and other fun colours.
Whenever I move to a new place, one of the first things I do is grab some paint chips and figure out what paint they used on the walls. Then I can drill holes in the wall to my heart's content, since I know I can just spackle and repaint with no one the wiser.
We've got a version of those snap together wood tiles in our sauna room and they work and look great!
I wonder are there any books on this subject?
This article should be titled "outdated and cliché 70s design for renters"
Nice selection. Please be careful using starch or spray starch to adhere to walls. If you live in a building where bugs (!) could become a problem, roaches are attracted to the delicious taste of the starch.
Question: how to temporarily cover up a hideous kitchen counter? It's some kind of faux formica that stains easily, hate it.
Apartment Therapy reads minds. I was JUST googling temporary cabinet/drawer liners and couldn't find anything visually pleasing!
THAT bathroom... in a rental??? Please.
I don't think the bathroom shot was meant to be representative of a rental bathroom - it's a product shot from the manufacturer's website. It's just an example of one of their murals.
If you have experience with Stretching a Canvas, Large Stretched Fabric Panels Can be Perfect and Mobile to Create an Accent Wall.
Awesome piece of products for a rental apartment which have many different features like easily removable and replaced from one wall to another, I was really wondering about these wall stickers which are available in an affordable piece of price with various features and designs.
decal decor removable wall art
Great ideas! I don't own a rental but I can't commit to one style so this is really easy to swap whenever I change my mind!
Is their any way to temporarily create a tile backdrop for a kitchen? My apartment didn't come with one, just a generic counter top that is slightly raised (3in.),, against the wall. I'm also looking for a way to temporarily change my kitchen counter top's. Any idea's on how this may be accomplished would be appreciated.
Ya? Check out RENTERPACKS.COM its a great website where you get products shipped to your door, and best of all, your landlord pays for them! Request them by name!