43 DIY Home Decor Ideas for Renters | Small Space & Apartment

DIY decor ideas for renters all have to pass one test: will the deposit come back? These 37 renter friendly decor projects do. Faux Roman shades hang on tension rods, a fabric "wallpaper" goes up with liquid starch and peels off with water, and washi tape turns flat doors into paneled ones without a drop of paint. There's furniture you build or flip once and take to the next place (a storage mirror that leans, a freestanding door headboard, a folding plant stand), plus small things that fill a room fast: beaded plants that never need water, pressed flower jar lights, suncatchers, a tapestry hung with no holes. Plenty of these cost less than a takeout dinner. One tip before you stick anything to a wall: test the tape or strip somewhere hidden first, because old paint in rentals can lift with it. DIY Ideas for Renters 1. Faux Roman Shade Tutorial Faux Roman shades dress a window with nothing but fabric and two small spring tension rods, so there are no brackets to drill into the frame. Measure the window, then hem the fabric (sewing, hem tape, fabric glue or even hot glue all work). Set the rods about 8 inches apart inside the window frame, tuck the top edge over the upper rod and drape the rest over the lower one. Fold the bottom up into a soft pleat and fluff. Let it down for privacy and fold it back for light. Get the full tutorial at Home Stories A to Z. 2. Stenciled Herringbone Entryway Bench A stenciled herringbone entryway bench turns a $10 secondhand find into storage with personality, and it moves with you to every new place. Sand the bench, then give it two coats of flat white paint, since stencil paint grips flat paint better and dries faster. Lay a herringbone stencil over the lid and front and dab on several bright colors for a shuffled pattern. Swapping a flimsy lid chain for a stay open hinge makes it safer to use. Shoes and boots go inside, and the entry finally looks finished. Get the full tutorial at Mad in Crafts. 3. DIY Stepladder Side Table A stepladder side table squeezes shelves into a tight spot beside the bed where a bulky nightstand won't fit. Lean a full wooden stepladder against the wall at the angle you like and secure the top so it can't tip. Cut scrap boards to fit each step for shelves. For an aged stain, mix black and brown craft paint unevenly, water it down a lot, brush it on in long strokes and sand lightly once dry. Books, a clock and baskets fill it fast. In a rental, a removable strap anchor beats screwing hinges into the wall. Get the full tutorial at Funky Junk Interiors. 4. DIY Bedroom Canopy A DIY bedroom canopy makes a plain rental bed look like a hotel suite with a painted embroidery hoop and four sheer curtain panels. Paint the hoop, thread the sheers onto it and tie white ribbon at the top for hanging. The whole thing hangs from a single ceiling hook, which leaves one small hole that's easy to fill when you move out. Two hooks or tiebacks at either side of the headboard hold the sheers open. It's soft, romantic and costs a fraction of a canopy bed. Get the full tutorial at Spindles Designs. 5. Clay Flower Mirror A clay flower mirror adds personality to a rental without a single new nail, since it can lean on a dresser or hang from removable strips. Roll soft clay into balls and press three lines into each with a sculpting tool to make petals, then group five petals around a small white center. Make flowers in a few colors and sizes and let them firm up until they're no longer sticky. Hot glue them around the frame of a plain or dollar store mirror. A coat of gloss varnish helps them last. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 6. DIY Pallet Wood Sign A DIY pallet wood sign brings big wall decor to a rental for the price of free pallets and paint. Separate the pallet boards (sawing through the nails is much quicker than prying), lay them out to size and nail two boards vertically across the back to hold them together. Cut a lettering stencil from cardstock, tape it in place and paint the words in white with a yellow accent. Wrap wire around the back boards to hang it. It's heavy, so a sturdy picture hook or leaning it on a dresser works well. Get the full tutorial at Blooming Homestead. 7. Repurposed Horseshoe and Chunk of Wood Votives Repurposed horseshoe votives turn a rough chunk of wood and two old horseshoes into a rustic candle holder that sits on a table or mantel. No walls involved at all. Clean the wood and horseshoes, then drill five shallow holes along the top sized for votive glasses. Nail a horseshoe to each end so they become the feet. Sand the rough edges and brush on a matte protective finish before adding the candles. Dress it with greenery and it doubles as a country wedding centerpiece. Get the full tutorial at Simply Country Life. 8. Leaning Storage Mirror Tutorial A leaning storage mirror is a full length mirror with a wide wood frame that hinges open to reveal hidden storage for jewelry, keys or a leash. It leans instead of hanging, which makes it ideal for renters. Cut 1x2 and 1x6 boards with mitered corners, build a shallow box on a 1/4 inch plywood back and set a 16x60 inch mirror into the frame with mirror adhesive. Four butt hinges join frame to box. Plan on about 4 hours and $70, and an accurate miter cut for tight corners. Get the full tutorial at Build Basic. 9. Light Bulb Mini Planters Light bulb mini planters bring a little greenery to a rental windowsill or shelf without taking up space or leaving a mark. Carefully separate the glass from the bulb base and sand the opening smooth. Paint the glass, add a second coat if needed, and draw tiny flowers with POSCA pens. Hot glue pairs of short sticks into A shapes and join them in a ring for a stand. Fold and fringe green paper into grass to fill it, so there's nothing to water. A clever upcycle for a burned out bulb. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 10. Starched Fabric Wall Treatment Tutorial A starched fabric wall gives renters the look of wallpaper with none of the commitment. Liquid starch is rolled onto the back of the fabric with a small sponge roller, then the fabric is smoothed onto the wall and trimmed with a sharp craft knife. When it's time to move, it peels right off and the starch washes away with water. Two tips: add an extra six inches of length, since wet starch shrinks fabric, and get a helper, because soaked fabric is heavy. Get the full tutorial at Sincerely, Sara D.. 11. Textured Heart Canvas A textured heart canvas is wall art for renters that needs no holes at all, since it leans on a shelf or hangs from a removable hook. Paint the canvas pink and let it dry, then sketch hearts lightly in pencil. Soak torn tissue paper in water, squeeze it out, tear it smaller and mix in glue and red paint to make a paper mache paste. Pack it into each heart for a raised, textured look. Smaller, more even tissue bits give a smoother finish. Keep layers thin so it dries faster. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 12. Faux Marble Table DIY A faux marble table gets the marble look for around $10 with marble contact paper, and it peels right off if the mood changes. Clean the surface with a damp cloth and let it dry. Cut the paper to size with about an inch extra all around, using the grid on the backing as a guide. Peel back one edge, press it on and wrap the edge over, then smooth the rest down with a small towel to push out bubbles. A removable glass top, like on a laptop table, makes it extra easy. Get the full tutorial at Syl and Sam. 13. Wood Hanging Noteboard A wood hanging note board keeps quick notes and cards in one place instead of lost around the house. Cut a scrap board to size and stain the front and sides dark walnut, leaving it unsealed for a rougher, rustic look. Once it's dry, wrap twine tightly around the board at angles, gluing and stapling the ends on the back. Notes and photos slip right under the twine. Add a single hook to the back, or hang it from a removable strip rated for the weight, and it's rental ready. Get the full tutorial at Southern Whim. 14. Photo Frame Magnets Photo frame magnets let renters show off favorite photos on the fridge with zero wall damage. Melt crystal clear hot glue sticks into a puddle on a silicone mat or parchment paper and press a chilled wax seal stamp in to make an ornate little frame. A 15W glue gun helps avoid bubbles, and wiping the stamp between uses keeps the glue from sticking. Paint the frames gold, tuck in tiny printed photos and glue a magnet to the back. They make sweet gifts too. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 15. DIY Spring Twig Centerpiece A spring twig centerpiece is ready in about the time it takes spray paint to dry. Grab a branch from the yard, give it a coat of glossy spray paint in a bright color like turquoise and let it dry fully. Clip on a faux bird and settle a little nest into the branches (a dot of hot glue holds it more securely). Set it in a mason jar or lay it across a table or console. No holes, no hardware, just a fresh pop of color for any rental. Get the full tutorial at DIY Show Off. 16. Cutlery Tray Jewelry Holder DIY A cutlery tray jewelry holder displays necklaces like art and keeps them from tangling. Sand a wooden cutlery tray well, then paint every side and crevice with two coats. Hand painted white details inside the compartments are optional but pretty. Finish with a couple of coats of clear protective topcoat for a smooth, satiny feel. Super glue glass knobs to the top of each section (no drilling needed) and twist small cup hooks along the bottom. Lean it on a dresser or hang it on one picture hook. Get the full tutorial at Cozy DIY Home. 17. Rental Friendly DIY Door Decor Washi Tape Washi tape door decor fakes the look of paneled doors on plain flat rental doors. No paint, no molding and no damage, since washi tape sticks well but peels away cleanly. Measure in from the edges and run black washi tape in straight lines to outline one or two tall rectangles on each door, folding the corners neatly with scissors. Two rolls covered three doors on one side each. Try other shapes for different faux inlays, and swap colors anytime. Get the full tutorial at Arts and Classy. 18. Decoupage Accent Vase A decoupage accent vase turns an old glass jar into blue and white chinoiserie style decor for a shelf or table. Clean the jar and paint it white all over, adding a second coat for full coverage. Cut out the pattern from a printed napkin, peel away the backing layers and brush Mod Podge (or white glue and water) over the spot. Lay the napkin on and brush more Mod Podge over the top until it's flat. A coat of UV resin is optional for shine. Faux roses never need water. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 19. DIY Jute Rope Tray A DIY jute rope tray is made from Dollar Tree supplies and gives a coffee table or dresser a boho, rustic catchall. Wrap a tray in cling wrap and brush on a generous layer of Mod Podge. Coil the end of the jute rope into a tight spiral at the center and keep winding outward, adding glue as you go and pressing with a palm to keep it flat. Cut the rope once the tray is covered and glue the end down. Once dry, it lifts off the form. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 20. DIY Paper Pen Holders DIY paper pen holders turn sheets of colored paper into a bright, log cabin style desk organizer. Roll each sheet diagonally around a thin skewer, keeping it tight, and glue the flap to seal the tube. Trim the sharp tips. Cut a 4 inch cardboard square for the base, then hot glue pairs of tubes on opposite sides, alternating direction and color with each layer as it builds up. Trim any extra paper when it's tall enough. It's perfect for a rental desk nook and costs almost nothing. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 21. Tin Can Mail Organizer A tin can organizer upcycles empty cans into textured floral desk storage. Tear tissue into small pieces, soak it, squeeze out the water and mash it into pulp. Mix in glue and paint until it's smooth and workable, adding a splash of water if it's crumbly. Draw a simple flower on the can (bigger designs are easier to fill), pack the flower with one color and fill the background with another. Once it dries, it holds pens, mail or makeup brushes. No damage, just sitting on a desk or shelf. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 22. Mason Jar Fairy Lights With Pressed Flowers Mason jar fairy lights with pressed flowers make a glowing night light that needs no outlet and no hardware. Clean and dry a mason jar, then play with the flower layout before gluing anything. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the glass, press a flower in place and brush more over the top, working in small sections so the glue doesn't dry. Glue tiny flowers to the ends of fussy stems. A second coat of Mod Podge seals everything. Drop in battery fairy lights and it glows. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 23. Chicken Wire Suncatcher A chicken wire suncatcher hangs in a window from a ribbon or twine, so there's nothing to drill or stick to the glass. Remove the inner ring of an embroidery hoop, trace it onto chicken wire with a little allowance and cut it with wire cutters (gloves help, the ends are sharp). Bend the edges and lock the wire back into the outer hoop. Thread tulip and leaf beads onto head pins, bend the ends into loops and hang them from the vertical wires with jump rings. Plan the color layout first. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 24. Picture Frame Suncatcher A picture frame suncatcher is a bigger, bolder take on window sparkle, and it hangs from jute rope with no hardware. Cut chicken wire to fit inside an empty picture frame and attach it securely to the back. Combine beads and charms on eye pins, bend the ends to lock them, and add one or two jump rings to each so they dangle. Hang a set from each section of the wire. Translucent and faceted beads catch the most light, and laying out the colors first keeps it balanced. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 25. Beaded Plant A beaded plant is greenery for renters that never needs water or sun. Stack styrofoam inside a mini terracotta pot, wire it together and cover it with fake moss. For the trailing stems, put a leaf bead on floral wire, curl the end into a loop and fill the wire with green glass beads, bending the top to hold them. Make flower stems the same way with flower or strawberry beads. Push the longest stems in first and bend them down to trail, then add short ones in the middle. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 26. Tiny Beaded Vine Desk Plant A tiny beaded vine desk plant fits in the palm of a hand and brightens a desk, windowsill or bookshelf with zero care. Glass beads in a few shades of green and tiny leaf beads are threaded onto wire to make the vines, which spill over the rim of a mini terra cotta pot set with foam and fake moss. Mixing bead sizes and greens makes it look more natural. It's fully customizable, and the same method makes wisteria, lilies or succulents. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 27. Beaded Wind Chime A beaded wind chime made on a tree branch sparkles in a window or on a balcony and hangs from a simple jute loop. Tie a small bell securely to one end of a long piece of fishing line, then slide on a larger bead, a few small ones and a charm, layering in any order until the strand is long enough. Make six strands in different colors. Tie each one evenly along a twig, then knot jute rope to both ends of the branch to hang it. No hardware needed indoors. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 28. Batik Fabric Painting With Acrylic and Glue Batik fabric painting with acrylic and glue gives renters colorful fabric art without hot wax. Tape clean cotton to a covered table, then trace a simple design in white school glue, since the glue lines resist the paint and stay the fabric's original color. Let the glue dry completely. Paint the open areas with acrylic, without watering it down too much or it bleeds under the glue. Once dry, soak the fabric in water and rub off the glue. Frame the pieces or pin them up with washi tape. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 29. Bubble Wrap Hydrangea Painting A bubble wrap hydrangea painting is easy wall art for renters that leans on a shelf or tapes up with no holes. Wrap bubble wrap around a flat, round object, paint the bubbles in pink, violet or blue and press it onto black paper or canvas. Space the blooms out to leave room for leaves. Dip three cotton swabs in white paint and dab dots for highlights, then use a lighter tint of each color for depth. Brush on green leaves and splatter a few white dots for a finishing touch. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 30. Salt and Glue Painting Salt and glue painting makes raised, sparkly art for a rental wall or shelf with supplies already in the kitchen drawer. Squeeze white school glue onto thick cardstock or canvas in a heart or any design. While it's wet, cover the lines generously with salt, let the glue dry and shake off the extra (the salt can be reused). Touch a brush loaded with diluted paint or liquid watercolor to the lines and watch the color travel through the crystals. Prop the pieces on a ledge or tape them up. Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY. 31. Renter Friendly Wireless Wall Sconces Renter friendly wall sconces add real lighting beside a bed or TV with no hardwiring at all, because a 3 way LED magic bulb runs on batteries with a remote. Hold the sconce where it looks best and mark the top and bottom of its base, then find the center. Level the mounting plate over that mark, drill small holes, tap in anchors and screw the plate on. Set the lamp over the mounting screws and tighten the caps. It does leave a couple of small holes, which spackle fills at move out. Get the full tutorial at My Wee Abode. 32. No Drill Closet Organization No drill closet organization keeps brooms, vacuums and tools off the floor without a single screw in a rental wall. Adhesive utility hooks and holders do the work: clean the wall, press the adhesive strips onto the hook, press it to the wall for 30 seconds and give it about an hour before adding weight. Stick them at the height the handle needs to sit, and check the weight rating on the package before hanging anything heavy. When the lease ends, pull the strip tab straight down and they release cleanly. Get the full tutorial at A Beautiful Mess. 33. Removable Wallpaper Accent Wall A removable wallpaper accent wall gives a rental a bold, designer look that peels off when it's time to move. Patch any old holes with lightweight spackle, sand the bumps and wipe the wall clean. Measure every cut more than once, especially around vents, switches and outlets. Start at the ceiling, peel back about 6 inches of backing, line it up with a level and smooth out bubbles with a squeegee as you work down. Trim the bottom with a craft knife. Woven peel and stick paper feels more durable. Get the full tutorial at Delineate Your Dwelling. 34. DIY Door Headboard A DIY door headboard turns an old door into a statement piece that stands on its own legs, so nothing gets screwed into a rental wall. Pick a door that looks symmetrical turned sideways (planked or full width panels work, six panel doors don't). Cut it to the bed's width with a circular saw, then attach 2x2 legs with pocket holes. A 1x4 top trim and a strip of ornamental molding finish it. A tan chalk paint wash over brown stain gives an aged look. It moves with you. Get the full tutorial at Lovely Etc.. 35. Hang a Tapestry Without Holes Hanging a tapestry without holes is easy with a curtain rod and heavy duty adhesive hooks. Press the strips onto each hook and hold for 30 seconds, then press the hook onto the wall for another 30 seconds. Let them set for an hour with no weight before sliding on the rod with the tapestry. This works best for lighter tapestries, so check the weight rating. Wooden quilt hanger clips or a banner pole on one center hook are other no damage options. Instant warmth for a big blank wall. Get the full tutorial at Bless'er House. 36. Kids Art Gallery Wall A kids art gallery wall with clips lets children swap their own artwork in and out, and it hangs on adhesive strips instead of nails. Gather old frames in different sizes, take out the glass and plan a layout. Paint any light frames black, then rub gold finish over all of them for a matching look. Cut 1/4 inch MDF to fit each frame, prime it and paint it white. Glue a gold clip to each one (strong glue, since hot glue pops off) and hang every frame with two large adhesive strips. Get the full tutorial at Maison de Pax. 37. DIY A Frame Plant Stand A DIY A frame plant stand gives a rental tiered shelving for plants and decor with no wall fixing at all. Two wood frames are cut, joined with a Kreg Jig for hidden screws and connected at the top with mini hinges. Shelves are glued and nailed together with a trim strip underneath that stops against the frame and locks the A open. Walnut stain under antique white milk paint, lightly distressed and waxed, lets the dark wood peek through. It folds flat for moving day. Get the full tutorial at Designed Decor.

37 DIY Decor Ideas for Renters That Leave No Damage

36. Kids Art Gallery Wall

37. DIY A Frame Plant Stand

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