RoomcastGuide
How to make a rental apartment look nice, no renovation needed
You can make a rental look and feel like home without painting or renovating. Most of the change comes from things you take with you when you move: textiles, lighting, rugs, plants and one clear style. Check your lease before you put anything on the walls.
Pick one style for the whole place
A clear style makes mismatched rental fixtures look intentional.
How to do it: Choose one palette and repeat it in every room. How to choose a decorating style
Change the lighting
Rentals often come with one harsh ceiling light.
How to do it: Add floor and table lamps with warm bulbs. Plug-in wall lights need no wiring.
Cover the floor with a rug
A large rug hides tired flooring and makes a room feel finished.
How to do it: Pick one big enough for the front legs of the sofa and chairs to sit on it.
Hang curtains high and wide
Curtains hung above the window frame make windows and ceilings look bigger.
How to do it: Use a tension rod or a renter-friendly curtain rod if you can't drill.
Use removable hooks and strips
Art, mirrors and light shelves can go up without nails.
How to do it: Check the weight limit on the package and test on a hidden spot first.
Lean art and mirrors
A large mirror or framed print leaned against the wall needs no holes.
How to do it: Stand it on a dresser, a shelf or the floor.
Swap small fixtures and keep the originals
Cabinet knobs and shower heads are easy to change back.
How to do it: Store the originals in a labeled bag so you can put them back when you move out.
Add plants
Plants make any room feel lived in.
How to do it: Pick plants that suit your light; trailing plants on shelves add height.
See a new style before you buy
It's easier to commit to changes when you've seen them in your own room.
How to do it: Roomcast's quiz gives you a palette and three ideas for your room. The Roomcast app shows how it could look in a new style, built from one photo, with your furniture kept and no paint needed. Find your room's style
Find your room's style in a minute. Answer a few quick questions and get a palette and three ideas for the room you want to change.
Find my room's styleAvailability: Roomcast is an iPhone app on pre-order. Plans start on launch day, with a full refund any time before launch.
Questions
How can I decorate a rental without damaging the walls?
Use removable hooks and strips, lean art and mirrors, and hang curtains on tension rods. Check your lease first, and test removable products on a hidden spot.
How do I make a rented apartment feel like home?
Bring in your own textiles, lamps, rugs and plants, and choose one palette for the whole place. All of it comes with you when you move.
Can I paint a rental apartment?
It depends on your lease and your landlord. Ask your landlord in writing before you paint.
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Updated October 12, 2026