The Truth About 'Renter-Friendly' Home Improvement Hacks

Making your house a cozy, tailored home is a natural desire. Even if you don't own the property yourself, you may want to add unique touches, including your own furniture, pictures on the wall and rental upgrades to make the space uniquely yours. In some cases, people seek out renter-safe modifications as a way to bring what they consider a boring or mediocre space up to their personal standards.

This May Also Interest You: How to Get Your Apartment Security Deposit Back

But those so-called renter-friendly hacks you see on Pinterest could be more expensive than you think.

What Are Renter-Friendly Home Improvement Hacks?

Renter-friendly hacks are home and apartment decorating ideas that claim not to leave anything behind when you take them down. Think peel-and-stick decor and other DIY installations that renters believe they can remove when they're ready to vacate.

The logic is that if something like temporary wallpaper only impacts the ambience of a room when a renter lives there, what's the harm in putting it up? Renters believe they can personalize a space for greater enjoyment while also leaving the home as they found it when they move out.

So-Called Renter-Friendly Hacks That Could Put Your Security Deposit at Risk

The truth is, renter-friendly decor doesn't always disappear as easily as you think. Here are some hacks that might not work as well as you'd like.

Peel-and-Stick Tile

Peel-and-stick tile mimics the look of ceramic or stone and applies easily over existing flooring, walls or counters. You don't need separate adhesives or grout, making this an easy DIY that renters love for an inexpensive upgrade in the kitchen or bathroom. The problem is that not all surfaces work with peel-and-stick. Depending on what you put these tiles on, you could be left with unsightly adhesive residue or damage to the floor, wall or counter when you remove them.

Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Temporary wallpaper is designed to come off without damaging the wall. It can be a fun and stylish way to upgrade bedrooms or other spaces with bold patterns or custom colors. However, some walls may peel when the wallpaper is removed, which could mean your landlord has to repaint. In extreme cases, damage to the sheet rock or wall surface may also need repairing.

Temporary Backsplashes

You can get vinyl or plastic strips to upgrade your kitchen, and some of these backsplashes adhere with magnetic strips. Others use adhesive. Either way, they can help you add texture and color to small spaces behind sinks or cooking areas. Improper installation or the use of adhesive on the wrong surface, however, can leave you with drywall damage or the need to repaint.

Replacing Cabinet or Drawer Hardware

Swapping out drawer pulls and handles can be an easy way to upgrade a kitchen or bathroom space. This hack is renter-friendly as long as you don't need to drill new holes for the desired hardware. If you're just swapping out handles, place the old hardware in a bag so you can reinstall it later if the landlord asks you to.

Light Fixture Covers or Shades

Some people add decorative covers, fabric shades or adhesive films to lighting to change a room's appearance. While this is a quick and cheap way to customize your space or reduce harsh lighting glare, it could create a fire hazard. If nothing happens due to this hack, it likely won't impact your security deposit. But if you cause a fire or heat buildup damages the fixture or surrounding area, you could be out more than your security deposit.

More Related Articles:

• Homeowners Vs. Renters Insurance: What’s the Difference?

• What Is Condo Insurance and What Does It Cover?

• Does My College Student Need Renters Insurance?

• Moving Money: How Much Does It Cost to Move?

• How to Move: A Guide to Preparing for Moving Day

Command Hooks and Damage-Free Hanging Strips

These products can be true renter-friendly hacks. They let you hang art or curtains without nails or drywall screws. The downside is that some products don't peel off cleanly, especially if you've used them for a long time. This can take chunks of paint or drywall off the wall. If you plan on using these products, test them before you decorate your entire space.

Window Film

Frosted or decorative window film that's designed to be applied to glass and easily removed is a true renter-safe modification you might make. These products are especially popular in bathrooms and in ground-floor rooms where people want more privacy. Just make sure you purchase a product that's designed for this purpose — DIYing your own film can lead to window damage.

Stick-On Countertop Covers

Contact paper or vinyl film that looks like marble or granite is sometimes applied to countertops to help make them look updated. If you don't like older laminate countertops in your home or find an old stain or two on your counters, it's tempting to want to stick a prettier option on top. However, as with any stick-on product on this list, removing these covers isn't always as easy as you think. That's especially true in the kitchen, where heat and moisture can lead to issues that make removing the product without damage to the counter harder.

Paint (Even Neutral Colors)

Some renters assume painting a room is fine, especially if they choose a neutral or trendy color. Before you invest in rental upgrades of any type, including a neutral paint color, get written permission from your landlord. Otherwise, you might be required to pay for repainting the space when you move out.