Does your heart begin to race when you see a perfectly arranged gallery wall? Do you crave some large-scale art to cover all that white? Though being a renter has many perks, practical but uninteresting walls is certainly not one of them. If you think there’s no acceptable way to give your walls some personality without adding paint or scores of nails, we’re about to make your day. Turns out there are plenty of ways to upgrade your renter walls without doing any lasting damage. Take a look at these seven DIY strategies, and find the perfect solution for you!
Create a Faux Accent Wall With Foam Board
Project via Leslie @House on the Way
Even if you can’t cover the wall, you can create a new surface. Connect large sheets of foam board and cover them completely with the fabric or wallpaper of your choice. Make sure your new surface is cut a tiny bit bigger than your wall so you can wedge it in snugly against your wall without needing any nails or adhesives.
Build Colorful Wall Panels
Project via Isabelle LaRue @Engineer Your Space
While this solution does involve putting some holes in the wall, the touch-ups come moving time will be minimal compared to how much functional and fashionable use these wall panels provide. If you’re up for a little DIY, these panels will add instant color, storage and décor space to your apartment.
Arrange Large-Scale Art on Top of Furniture
Project via Allison @Two Thirty-Five Designs
You don’t have to skimp on large-scale art just because you can’t put it up. Set it on the tops of dressers and other larger pieces of furniture and rest your painting or artwork against the wall. This way, you still have that high-impact visual appeal without damaging your apartment. Take a look at For Rent for lots more apartment decorating ideas as effortless as this one.
Cover a Whole Wall in Starched Fabric
Project via Sara @Sincerely, Sara D.
If you love that wallpaper look, this easy fix is exactly what you’re looking for! Cut a large panel of your favorite fabric (100% cotton works best) — enough to cover the wall you’d like to hide, spray it heavily with starch and iron it up onto your wall. The fabric cover will stay put until you’re ready to take it down, and it won’t damage your walls in the least.
Add a Small Fabric Detail or Accents
Project via Courtenay @The Creek Line House
Starched fabric is also a great way to add smaller detailing to your walls. Even if you’re not looking for full wall coverage, cut a design or picture from some pretty fabric and add it to your home as interesting wall art. For a hanging picture look, choose a vibrant fabric, cut a square from it and iron it to your wall at about eye level.
Create a Pattern With Removable Vinyl Wall Decals
Project via Kathy @Petticoat Junktion
When trying to decorate your walls hole-free, vinyl is your best friend. And even if you’re not into those large peel-n-stick vinyl pictures or silhouettes, you can create an all-over pattern for your wall using colorful vinyl shapes like this polka dotted bathroom. Don’t let your wall décor limitations stifle your style — you can get whatever look you want with these simple decals.
Use Shelves as a Gallery Wall
Project via Heidi @Honeybear Lane
Last but not least, the gallery wall — the renter’s “white whale” — is actually not as far out of your reach as you might imagine. You can create your own no-nail gallery wall by arranging framed photos on open shelves (thin shelves work best). Mix and match frame styles and colors, play with picture sizes and don’t be too careful about straightening out your pictures — some overlapping is a great way to add texture and character.
For more great rental upgrade ideas, tips and how-tos, check out our urban living page on Hometalk.