9 Renter-Friendly Upgrades That Won't Affect Your Deposit

9 Renter-Friendly Upgrades That Won't Affect Your Deposit

Renter-friendly renovations can enhance your space without endangering your deposit. Discover temporary home upgrades and reversible DIY rental renovations.

This article provides nine renter-friendly renovations that help renters personalize their space without sacrificing their security deposit. It also provides information on difficulty levels, installation methods and restoring the space to its original condition.

Author: Laure Justice

You can make your apartment feel cozier without permanent changes that could cost you your security deposit by personalizing your space with temporary upgrades.

What Are 'Renter-Friendly' Apartment Upgrades?

The term "renter-friendly" implies that these upgrades or renovations are either reversible or don't cause more damage than typical wear-and-tear (if done correctly, that is). Your property manager might not appreciate you painting over wood cabinets or ripping up the old wood floor — but they're probably not going to notice that you changed the drawer pulls or laid down peel-and-stick floor tiles, as long as you remove them before you leave. The idea is that your landlord won't know that you've made these upgrades during your stay, so you get to keep your security deposit.

We haven't included painting in this list, as the ability to reverse this really depends on your lease. Some leases specify that you must repaint (or pay to repaint) your unit before you leave — regardless of whether you changed the color during your lease term. In that case, it may make sense to paint your apartment whatever color you like, knowing that you have to paint it back before you move out anyway. Other leases forbid any kind of painting, and some say you can change the color of your walls, as long as that color is "neutral." Our advice? Proceed with caution if you're painting your unit.

These renter-friendly hacks enhance your home while keeping your landlord happy and your deposit intact. We've rated them based on how reversible they are, so you can choose your renter-friendly projects based on the amount of risk you'd like to take.

Note: It's important to read the terms of your lease before you make any of these changes. You may have already agreed that you wouldn't modify your unit in these ways. If there's any doubt, reach out to your property manager for clarification.

1. Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Tile

Difficulty to Reverse: Easy

Peel-and-stick tile revolutionizes kitchen and bathroom upgrades for renters. These adhesive tiles come in countless styles, from subway tile to modern geometric patterns, and they require zero grout or special tools.

Clean your wall thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely. Start from the bottom center and work your way up and out, pressing firmly to eliminate air bubbles. Use scissors or a utility knife to cut tiles for corners and edges.

Test a small piece in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't damage the paint. When you move out, gently warm the tiles with a hairdryer to soften the adhesive, then slowly peel them off. Remove any residual adhesive with rubbing alcohol. Potential damage is minimal if you remove them carefully, though very old or poorly painted walls might lose some paint during removal.

2. Removable Wallpaper

Difficulty to Reverse: Easy to Moderate

Peel-and-stick wallpaper or contact paper offers a dramatic transformation without the permanent commitment. Unlike traditional wallpaper, these temporary home upgrades peel off cleanly when you're ready to move.

Measure your walls and order slightly more than you need. Cut your first strip, peel back a few inches of backing and align it at the ceiling. Smooth downward with a wallpaper smoother or credit card, peeling more backing as you go.

For apartment-friendly renovations, avoid using removable wallpaper on textured walls, as removal becomes trickier. When moving out, start at a corner and pull slowly at a 45-degree angle. Potential damage includes removing some paint on walls with poor paint adhesion or very old paint jobs.

3. Updated Cabinet and Drawer Pulls

Difficulty to Reverse: Very Easy

Swapping cabinet hardware instantly modernizes any kitchen or bathroom. This simple DIY project takes minutes and costs just a few dollars per pull.

Remove existing pulls by unscrewing them from inside the cabinet or drawer. Take one to the hardware store to match the hole spacing. Install your new pulls using the existing holes whenever possible.

Keep the original hardware in a labeled bag so you can reinstall it before moving out. This rental property improvement causes virtually no damage as long as you use existing holes.

4. Statement Light Fixtures

Difficulty to Reverse: Moderate

Replacing dated light fixtures changes your entire room's ambiance. While this involves some electrical work, it remains one of the most impactful easy renter updates.

Before starting any electrical DIY project, keep safety top of mind. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker and confirm it's off with a voltage tester. Remove the existing fixture, noting which wires connect where.

Store the original fixture carefully in its box with all hardware. Before you move, reinstall the original exactly as it was. Always turn off the electricity before working with light fixtures. If you're uncomfortable with electrical work, hire a professional.

5. Peel-and-Stick Floor Tiles

Difficulty to Reverse: Moderate

Transform dated flooring with adhesive floor tiles that look remarkably like real hardwood, stone or ceramic. These work beautifully over existing vinyl, tile or sealed concrete.

Thoroughly clean and dry your floor. Plan your layout starting from the room's center, working outward for the most balanced look. Peel and stick each tile firmly, ensuring tight seams between pieces.

Test adhesion in a closet first, as some floors don't release the tiles easily. When removing, warm tiles with a heat gun or hairdryer and peel slowly. Potential damage includes removing the finish from sealed floors or leaving adhesive that requires significant elbow grease to eliminate.

6. Command™ Strips and Hooks

Difficulty to Reverse: Very Easy

Command™ adhesive hanging solutions hold surprising weight without nails or screws. Use them for artwork, mirrors, shelving and organizational systems throughout your apartment.

Clean the wall surface with rubbing alcohol. Press the adhesive strips firmly against both the wall and your item for a few seconds. Wait the recommended time before hanging anything.

Follow removal instructions precisely. Pull the tab straight down along the wall, stretching the adhesive until it releases. These landlord-approved renovations cause virtually no damage when removed correctly.

7. Upgraded Showerhead

Difficulty to Reverse: Very Easy

A luxurious rainfall or high-pressure showerhead installs in minutes. This DIY rental renovation immediately improves your daily routine.

Unscrew your existing showerhead by turning it counterclockwise. Wrap new plumber's tape around the shower arm threads. Screw on your new showerhead hand-tight, then give it a quarter turn with pliers if needed.

Store the original showerhead and then reinstall it before moving, or ask your landlord if they'd like you to leave the one you installed. This upgrade causes zero damage and requires no special skills beyond turning a wrench.

8. Temporary Window Film

Difficulty to Reverse: Easy

Frosted, stained glass or decorative window film adds privacy and style. These films block visibility without blocking light, perfect for bathroom or street-facing windows.

Clean windows thoroughly with glass cleaner. Spray the window heavily with soapy water. Peel the backing and apply the film to the wet window, smoothing out bubbles with a squeegee. Trim excess with a razor blade.

Peel off the film when you move; it leaves no residue. This ranks among the easiest renter-friendly home improvements with virtually zero damage potential.

9. Freestanding Shelving Units

Difficulty to Reverse: Very Easy

Leaning ladder shelves, bookshelf room dividers and freestanding storage require zero wall mounting. They provide substantial storage and style without any permanent changes.

Position your shelving unit where desired. Use furniture pads underneath to prevent floor scratches. For added stability, secure them to walls using furniture straps attached with adhesive strips rather than screws.

Simply move the shelving when you leave. No restoration needed makes this the ultimate in temporary renovations.

Renter-Friendly Renovations to Make Your Rental Feel Like Home

With these renter-friendly renovations, you don't need to own a home to create a space that reflects your style. By choosing temporary upgrades and improvements that reverse easily, you can personalize your apartment while protecting your deposit. Always communicate with your property manager about any changes — even reversible ones — to maintain a positive relationship and avoid surprises during your move-out inspection.