15 Renter Friendly DIYs for Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms

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Ever walked into a rental and thought, “This could be so nice if only I could change a few things”?

I’ve felt that in every place I’ve rented. Beige walls, builder grade lights and that one sad bathroom shelf. And a lease that says no painting, no nails, no fun.

The good news? You can change a lot more than you think. Peel, stick, plug in, lean and swap. Then undo it all when you move out.

These 15 projects are cheap, easy and fully reversible. Three of them come with step by step build cards, so you can start this weekend.

1. Peel and Stick Kitchen Backsplash

A backsplash is the single biggest change you can make in a rental kitchen. Peel and stick tiles look shockingly close to real tile, and they come off with a hair dryer.

Pick thicker gel style tiles over thin vinyl sheets. They have a raised 3D feel, and in my experience they hold up much better near the stove and sink.

⏱ 3 hours💲 Medium🛠 Easy

2. Swap Cabinet Hardware

This takes one afternoon and a screwdriver. New pulls make old cabinets look custom, and you put the originals back when you move.

Measure the hole spacing first. Most pulls are 3 or 3.75 inches center to center. Keep the old hardware in a labeled bag in a drawer, so you never lose it.

You’ll need: brushed brass cabinet pulls, 3 inch pack, a screwdriver

Best for: dated kitchens and bathroom vanities

3. Freestanding Upholstered Headboard

A headboard makes a bedroom look finished. This one stands on two legs behind the bed, so nothing ever touches the wall.

Velvet hides small mistakes better than linen, so it’s a great first try. I like a soft rounded top, because it feels a bit more special than a plain rectangle.

⏱ 4 hours💲 Medium🛠 Intermediate

4. Removable Wallpaper Accent Wall

Can’t paint? Wallpaper the one wall behind your bed. It’s the fastest way to add pattern and personality to a plain box room.

Always order one extra roll for pattern matching. A soft, small print is more forgiving than a bold one if your walls aren’t perfectly straight.

You’ll need: removable botanical wallpaper, a smoothing tool

Best for: bedrooms and plain living room walls

5. Over the Toilet Shelf for Small Bathrooms

The wall above the toilet is wasted space in most apartment bathrooms. A freestanding shelf unit uses it without a single screw.

Style it like a shelf, not a cabinet. Rolled towels, one plant and a basket for the messy stuff. It looks calm, and you finally get a bit of storage.

You’ll need: freestanding over the toilet shelf, a small woven basket

Best for: tiny bathrooms with no cabinet space

6. Showerhead and Curved Curtain Rod Upgrade

These two swaps change how the bathroom feels every single day. A better showerhead and a curved rod that gives you more elbow room.

Both take minutes. Keep the old showerhead in a bag under the sink and put it back on moving day. Honestly, this is my favorite rental upgrade of all.

You’ll need: rainfall showerhead, curved tension shower rod

Best for: builder grade bathrooms

7. Plug In Wall Sconces

Overhead lights in rentals are usually harsh. Plug in sconces add warm, layered light, and you only need two small screws to hang them.

The cord is the giveaway. Hide it with a paintable cord cover in your wall color, and it almost disappears. People always ask if I had them wired in.

You’ll need: plug in brass sconces, set of 2, paintable cord cover kit

Best for: living rooms and bedside walls

8. Faux Fireplace Mantel

A fireplace gives a room a focal point, and most rentals don’t have one. This faux mantel is a freestanding frame you build once and take with you.

Fill the opening with birch logs and flameless candles for that cozy glow. I love how it gives you a spot to decorate for every season.

⏱ 1 day💲 Medium🛠 Intermediate

9. Tension Rod Closet System

Most rental closets have one rod and one shelf. That’s a lot of wasted space. A hanging rod extender doubles your space instantly, no drilling at all.

Shirts and folded pants on the bottom rod, longer pieces on the top. Add matching slim hangers, and even a small closet starts to feel like a walk in.

You’ll need: adjustable closet rod extender, slim wooden hangers, set of 30

Best for: reach in and walk in closets in rentals

10. Leaning Ladder Bookshelf

A ladder bookshelf leans against the wall instead of hanging on it. It’s open and airy, so it never makes a small room feel heavy.

Put the heavy books on the lowest, widest shelf. Lighter things like plants and frames go up top. It keeps the shelf steady and looks balanced too.

You’ll need: 5 tier leaning ladder bookshelf, a small anti tip strap

Best for: small living rooms and bedroom corners

11. Over the Door Storage and Door Refresh

Doors are free storage. An over the door rack holds bags and coats, and an over the door mirror gives you a full length mirror without any holes.

Want to go further? Swap the door handles. It’s another easy reversible change, just keep the old ones and screws in a labeled bag.

You’ll need: over the door hook rack, over the door full length mirror

Best for: bedrooms and entryways with no closet space

12. Curtains Hung High and Wide

This is the cheapest designer trick I know. Hang curtains near the ceiling and wide past the window frame. Suddenly your ceilings look taller and your windows bigger.

Can’t drill? Many rods now mount inside the window frame with tension, or hang from removable adhesive brackets for light curtains. Long panels that touch the floor look best.

You’ll need: 96 inch linen curtains, set of 2, no drill curtain rod brackets

Best for: low ceilings and small windows

13. Interlocking Deck Tiles and Outdoor Rug

Gray concrete patios feel cold. Snap together deck tiles right on top, and it looks like a real wood deck in an afternoon.

They click together with no tools and no glue, so you can pack them up when you move. Add an outdoor rug on top to make the space feel like a room.

You’ll need: interlocking wood deck tiles, striped waterproof outdoor rug

Best for: concrete patios and small decks

14. Freestanding Backyard Privacy Screen

Neighbors too close? A freestanding screen gives you privacy without digging posts or touching the fence.

The planter base is the smart part. Heavy soil keeps it steady, and the grasses soften the look. When you move, empty the planters and take it all with you.

You’ll need: freestanding privacy screen with planter base, potting soil, tall grasses

Best for: rental backyards and ground floor patios

15. Porch Planters and Solar Lights

Curb appeal matters even when you rent. Two matching planters by the door make the entrance look cared for, and they move with you.

Solar lights are the renter’s best friend outside. No cords, no outlets, no landlord approval. Just push them into the soil and they charge all day.

You’ll need: tall outdoor planters, set of 2, warm white solar path lights, 8 pack

Best for: townhouses and ground floor rentals

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on Renter Friendly DIYs

Renting doesn’t mean living with a space that doesn’t feel like yours. Start with one small swap, see how it feels, and keep going. Your home, your deposit, both safe.

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