There’s nothing more boring than plain walls – and sure, photographs and art help decorate a rental, but have you considered something bolder like wallpaper? From vivid prints and patterns to calm and natural ones, there will surely be a style to suit your taste. We’ve contacted wallpaper professionals to share their insights on renter-friendly ideas you can use to transform your apartment. So whether you moved into a new apartment or want to revamp your space, read on to learn how to add some pizazz to your rental.
Try peel-and-stick wallpaper
Eazywallz, a removable wallpaper company insists on peel-and-stick-wallpaper. “The rise of peel-and-stick wallpaper and removable murals makes it even easier to decorate your rental as you would like without any commitment. Murals allow for style versatility and can be removed without damaging your walls. This allows you to easily update your wall décor through the years and even the seasons, keeping your look trendy and fresh.”
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Samantha Santana, a Los Angeles-based removable wallpaper designer, agrees. “My tip to brighten a home with renter-friendly wallpaper is to go loud with small spaces. A loud or colorful pattern can make the space pop without overwhelming the entire home. It’s honestly my favorite way to use wallpaper. Plus, smaller spaces cost less to cover and are not as overwhelming to hang yourself.”
Try adding wallpaper to your furniture
“While peel-and-stick wallpaper is trending, your walls must be completely smooth for it to stick, so you may want to use them on furniture or a bookcase instead,” shares Leland’s Wallpaper in Arlington, TX. “If you want to decorate with fewer limits, do what we do in our showroom, and staple your pattern to the wall with a desktop stapler. You can use a table knife to remove the staples and take your wallpaper to the following address.”
Incorporate wallpaper in your kitchen
Fancy Walls, a peel-and-stick-wallpaper company, encourages you to get creative with removable wallpaper. “Apply a fun pattern to your backsplash, kitchen cabinets, or the back of your shelves. If you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing patterns like stripes and flowers on one wall.”
Use wallpaper to create an accent wall in your space
Wallpapers are the perfect product to elevate and set the tone of your apartment walls by bringing out your individuality. Axiom Print in Glendale, CA shares, “Wallpapers do not have to be the traditionally old-school patterns; with today’s technology, you may choose from various colors, patterns, and artwork or create your graphics. Peel-and-stick wallpapers create accents in dining rooms, bedrooms, nurseries, hallways, and offices. The best part is that peel-and-stick wallpapers are mess-free, smell-free, and easy to mount on any flat surface.”
Use wallpaper inside your cabinets
“We’ve been loving glass-fronted cabinets with wallpapered interiors,” says Lonesome Pictopia, a wallpaper, mural, and textile company from Portland, OR. “It’s a beautiful way to refresh a vintage piece that can be taken with you when you move. We also love hanging wallpapered panels as art pieces – nice birch-wood artboards can be purchased at any art supply store and wallpapered using wallpaper paste.”
Experiment with wallpaper in a powder room
Soul & Lane, a home décor company, shares, “One of the most popular spaces to utilize wallpaper is the powder room. These smaller spaces are an excellent opportunity to experiment with bold prints and dramatic colors that would seem overwhelming in larger spaces. The right hardware and fixtures will help you make a statement and create a cohesive and unique look.”
Photo courtesy of Wallpapers By T
Set your apartment apart from other rentals on the market
Wallpapers By T, an innovative wallpaper company, says, “Wallpaper has come a long way from your grandmother’s outdated dusty rose and pea-green floral prints. Try sprucing up your rental property with timeless black and white houndstooth DIY peel-and-stick, commitment-free wallpaper in your dining area or living room; add some pops with greenery and canvas art, and boom. Not only will it add drama to the space, but it will also set you apart from every other rental on the market.”
Photo courtesy of Forest Homes
Bring the outdoors indoors with natural patterns
“Nature makes people feel calmer, grounded, and more centered,” says SunDance, a creative design company based in Orlando, FL. “Using wallpaper with a nature-inspired pattern makes your space feel tranquil. Whether you love trees, leaves, flowers, or waterfalls, applying wallpaper with patterns rooted in nature can bring new life to your space. Best of all, with the many adhesive-backed printed wallpaper materials available, removing your custom-designed wallpaper and taking it with you when you move is easy.”
Forest Homes, a natural home décor company, agrees. “Using nature-inspired wallpapers, you will create a space that helps people feel better and differentiate yourself from others by putting the guest’s mental health and happiness first of the guest in the spotlight.”
Use leftover pieces of wallpaper for the back of cupboards
“Peel-and-stick wallpaper is easy for anyone without wallpapering skills to apply it alone,” says Wallpaper Shop. “With any leftover wallpaper, we advise you not to throw them in the bin but rather use them to line the back of cupboards or use them as gift wrap.”
Photo courtesy of Twenty2 Grasscloth | MG Photo
Opt for wallpaper on your ceiling
Twenty2 Grasscloth suggests breaking away from painted walls. “Elevate any room with our eco-friendly solid grasscloth wallpapers. It’s a great way to add color and warm up a space without being tied to a pattern. It can make a statement and add texture to your walls and ceiling.”
Turn your boring rental walls into something you love
“Living in a rental apartment can sometimes be difficult regarding interior styling and home remodels; however, with removable wallpaper, you can achieve so much more,” shares Think Noir, a wallpaper company. “Simply add the removable wallpaper to your rental apartment as an accent wall. Don’t worry about the wallpaper damaging the walls, as it is completely removable in full panels once the time comes.”
Hang wallpapered panels as art pieces
Silk Interiors Wallpaper knows you’ll be looking for renter-friendly wall solutions if you rent. “There are many stunning designs, and while wallpaper is a fabulous way to bring personality into your home, landlords may not share your unique style. In this situation, we recommend buying a roll of your favorite wallpaper, adhering it to some large pieces of MDF or other boards, and adding a frame around it. You can then hang the framed pieces on your wall, creating large statement pieces. Three large framed boards or one large board would create a dramatic piece for your space.”
Photo courtesy of D. Marie Interiors
Choose a bold and graphic print wallpaper to a single wall
“The best way to brighten a home with renter-friendly wallpaper is to choose a bold, graphic print and apply it to a single accent wall, says D. Marie Interiors. “This will add visual interest without overwhelming the space. Pair the wallpapered wall with coordinating furniture and accessories for a cohesive look. Alternatively, opt for a classic, neutral print that won’t go out of style and can be easily removed when it’s time to move out.”
Opt for sustainable wallpaper
Imageco, a design, print, and finishing service company, shares, “We think every space should be unique but also welcoming, and the right wallpaper is key to that in rented properties. But one aspect many don’t consider is the sustainability of your wallpaper. We produce wallpaper out of a material made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. A great way to cater to the sustainably conscious generation of renters.”
As you can see, there are many different renter-friendly wallpaper options for your apartment walls. Go bold and loud with a patterned print, or go chic with a nature-inspired pattern; there’s a print for everyone wanting to spruce up their walls. So whether you’re looking for apartments for rent in Germantown or already live in a rental in Springfield, these wallpaper ideas will help you curate the home of your dreams.
If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our
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Ana is a Marketing Specialist on the Content Marketing team at Redfin, where she has spent the past two years writing about real estate, home improvement, and localized content. Living in the Greater Seattle area, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. Her ideal home is a charming cottage-style residence in the countryside.
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