13 Apartment Decorating Tips that Won’t Cause Any Damage

In an apartment, it can be tough to decorate without losing your damage deposit in the process. Fear not - we have apartment decorating tips that will personalize your living area without wrecking the walls or floors. Transform your rented space into a home by using these apartment decorating tips to personalize your apartment without forfeiting your security deposit.

Tips for Decorating Apartment Walls

If you’re looking for apartment wall decor ideas that will brighten up your space without damaging walls or costing a fortune, you’ve come to the right place! Check out our ideas for decorating apartment walls below.


Create a Flower Wall with Washi Tape

📷 Viktoria Dahlberg

Fake flowers are inexpensive, and so is the tape used to secure them. This DIY method will make white walls look like a floral masterpiece. Washi tape is a safe way to attach lightweight objects to your walls without stripping the paint underneath.

Invest in Command Strips or Hooks.

These tough adhesives allow you to hang pictures and portraits without making holes in the walls. It will save you from patching the damage that results from nails. Check the weight restrictions on the product label to check if your decoration can be hung by these adhesives.

Buy an Area Rug

📷 Ruggable

Leave those walls alone, and turn your attention to the floors. Rugs can be a great way to divide a room or add interest to a plain space. They can be an eye-catching centerpiece or complementary addition to any room. Better yet, they can cover any stains or imperfections on the floor from previous tenants. We recommend rugs from Ruggable as they are machine-washable and easy to swap out when you want to try a new look!

Paint the Walls

📷 Ashley Rose

As long as your landlord is permitting, you can apply a new coat of paint to your ordinary walls. Selecting the right color is important; look at 2020 paint trends to pick a shade that is current and trendy. The color of your walls affects the overall impression that your apartment emits - blue walls can create a calming atmosphere, while red ones inspire energy and action. If your lease forbids you from painting the walls, see the next suggestion.

Apply (temporary) Wallpaper

📷 Katie Woods

Change the look of your plain white walls without using paint by buying temporary wallpaper. It’s a bit of a hassle to put up, but couldn’t be easier to remove - simply peel the corner to take it down. Wallpapering is a dramatic way to transform your space. They come in all varieties of colors and designs, so you can find a pattern that speaks to your interests.

Lean Decorations Against the Wall

📷 Heena

No screws, no nails - no problem. Rather than putting holes in your walls, simply lean items against them to display decorations. Full-length mirrors, portraits, and signs are pieces of apartment wall decor that can be leaned up against walls to add personal flair without inflicting damage.

Buy New Curtains

📷 Kasia Bedzinska

Fresh fabric will add liveliness to your windows - or, you can use curtains to act as room dividers. Sheer fabric allows light to enter a room, while textured linens will make a bold statement. You can suspend them using tension rods, which won’t damage the walls as screws and nails do.

Purchase Vinyl Decals

Wall stickers may conjure up images of children’s rooms, but this doesn’t have to be the case - there are sophisticated decals that will add a personal touch to your rented living space. From flowers to lace, vinyl decals are offered in a variety of styles, so you can find a design that matches your other decorations.

Display Art Using an Easel

Portraits don’t have to be hung by a nail - this type of apartment wall decor can be tastefully showcased on an artist’s easel. It’s a rustic look that shows off decorations without giving up your security deposit.

Add a Folding Screen

Create a new corner by separating your space with room dividers. Folding screens come in many designs and colors, so you can select a subtle wooden screen or an eye-catching print.

Soften Your Space with String Lights

📷 Tatiana

📷 Hanna

You don’t have to change lighting fixtures to alter the luminosity of your living space. Warm, glowing light will create a cozy, homey vibe in your apartment.

Purchase Throw Pillows and Blankets

📷 zosiamamet

Not only are they comfortable, but they’re stylish, too. Pillows and blankets can be great accent pieces in a living room or bedroom.

Buy Fake Plants

📷 Target

Low maintenance and high style, faux plants add a green element to any room. Cacti, leafy greens, and blooming flowers - fake plants are a fashionable and affordable way to decorate your space.

Apartment Wall Decor Ideas You’ll Love

While sprucing up a new space can be exciting, what isn’t is the idea of having to forfeit your security deposit. These damage-free apartment decorating tips will allow you to customize your apartment and keep the walls intact while you do it. If you want to visualize furniture and decor items from your favorite brands like Wayfair and Overstock in your real home, try DecorMatters, a free interior design app!

Catherine Holland is a writer based in Canada. She writes articles with a focus on decor and home improvement for a variety of businesses. Some of her favorite pieces can be found on the Globe Property Management website.