As a renter, you have to sign up for all the rules of living in a house and very few of the fun parts. Whether you want to change the paint or hate the lighting, it’s tough—you just have to deal with it. Thankfully, even if your lease reads like a list of “don’ts,” there are still plenty of things you could do to change things without messing up the place or requiring permission to do so. Here are eleven reversible DIY fixes for renters. They all come off as easily as they go on.
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Twist On a New Showerhead
Most standard showerheads aren’t even screwed in tightly and if you wrap a towel around it and then give it a twist, you’ll be able to take it off. Put on a rain-style one or a fancy multi-spray version so that you’ll feel like you’re showering in a five-star hotel—just keep the original under the sink. This way, you’ll be able to swap it back later, with no need for a plumber or special tools, just your hands & maybe a little wrist strength.
Use Peel-and-Stick Flooring
You don’t need to redo the whole apartment, as you could just try using peel-and-stick vinyl planks on places like the bottom of your linen closet or even on top of old tiles by the washer. The trick is to stick to smooth, hard surfaces only, as these planks lift off like a sticker—no goo, no damage. They’re also quite durable and won’t move around as you walk, so go ahead and get a set that you like.
Skip the Wiring and Use Velcro
If you have dark kitchen corners or gloomy closets, grab a few battery-powered LED strips and stick them up using Velcro Command strips—no need to hardwire anything. Just rip off the Velcro (gently) when you leave and take the lights with you. Some of these lights even come with remotes or motion sensors, so you don’t have to fumble around & deal with a dark shelf or spooky hallway again.
Make a Plug-In Pendant Light
Speaking of lighting, get a pendant light cord kit & a ceiling-safe swag hook that uses adhesive, not screws, then plug the cord into the wall. Drape it over the hook & hang your light—now you have overhead lighting without touching a single wire and it’s easy to change the bulb. You could even loop the cord across the ceiling for a little design flair, as long as you choose a lightweight bulb and shade combo so you don’t pull the hook off.
Line Cabinet Doors with Cork Sheets
Take those boring cabinet doors and give them a new lease of life by sticking thin cork sheets on the inside using double-sided removable tape. This will give you some space to pin keys & reminders or perhaps even random takeout menus—simply warm up the tape with a hairdryer and peel it off to remove it. You can cut the cork to any shape and might want to add small pushpin hooks or safety pins for necklaces, allowing you to organize your mess easily.
Wrap Ugly Fridge Doors with Contact Paper
If you have an ugly fridge, just cover it up by using removable contact paper—choose a simple color or a fake stainless look, then smooth out bubbles with a credit card. Cut around the handles with a craft knife and when you move, just peel it off & pretend it was always that shiny. It works best if you clean the fridge first so it really sticks. You’re also able to change the color by season or mood if you’re feeling extra, as long as the paper says it’s removable.
Hooks Without Holes
Try using a clear silicone caulk to stick up towel hooks, as it’s waterproof, holds strong and, best of all, it peels off in one rubbery chunk when you’re done. Of course, you’ll need to make sure you’re not hanging anything heavier than a towel or robe, but even so, it’s great for bathrooms where landlords are worried about the tile. When you’re ready to remove it, peel it slowly from the edge and clean off any leftover bits with a damp sponge.
Cover Old Switch Plates
Light switch covers don’t get enough attention, yet making them look better doesn’t require much. Wrap them in washi tape (that cute patterned stuff from craft stores), then do a light spray of removable clear coat if you want it to last—the tape peels off clean & the covers pop right back when you need them. If you want to switch patterns or use matching tape around the room to tie it together, just make sure you take the plate off first so you don’t tape over the wall.
Hide Floor Scratches with Walnut Oil Crayons
Wood floors look rough after a while, especially if you’re someone who drags chairs across them, but that’s where a walnut crayon comes in—it works magic on scratches. Rub it in & then wipe the extra off, perhaps with a little oil if needed. They sell these crayons in packs with different shades and this allows you to match the floor color more closely, which is great for quick fixes the day before a move-out inspection.
Build a Temporary Faux Windowsill
Some apartments have windows with almost zero ledge space, but thankfully, you can fix that with a foam board shelf that you cut to size & wrap in fabric. Rest it on adhesive brackets or a tension rod setup and voilà—you have space for plants or candles without doing anything permanent. The fabric wrap allows you to change the look whenever you feel like it, as you just need to rewrap it with whatever scraps you’ve got.
Cover Grimy Countertops with a Large Cutting Mat
If your kitchen counter’s seen better days but replacing it isn’t an option, just get a jumbo-size cutting mat, which you’ll find in rolls or as big flexible sheets. You just have to unroll one over the area you want to cover & it instantly hides any stains or burn marks. Most don’t need anything to hold them in place because the rubbery bottom grips smooth surfaces, and you just have to roll it up when it’s time to move out.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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