Beige carpet. White walls. White doors. Your new apartment is a blank slate. Too blank. You want to give your new place some personality, but painting the walls may not be an option if you’re a renter. Don’t let the beige wall blues get to you though. Check out these 6 easy decor ideas that won’t damage your apartment walls.
1. Try tapestries.
In the 19th century, handwoven tapestries hung in mansions and castles as a sign of status. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, they were a luxury only the wealthy could afford. But a lot has changed in the last two centuries. Castles have turned into studio apartments, and tapestries have become a commodity accessible to most.
Tapestries come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and prints. You can find a great selection of affordable mandala tapestries on Amazon, or shop Society6 for unique prints created by artists from around the world.
Since many of today’s tapestries are made of cotton or polyester rather than wool, they are lightweight and don’t require nails to hang from your walls! Instead, you can use clear thumbtacks to “pin” them to your walls for an instant transformation from beige-to-bold!
2. Get thrifty with vintage prints and maps.
Don’t knock secondhand shopping till you’ve tried it. You’ll have to do a little digging but, between old trinkets and well-loved sweaters, you might find some decorative masterpieces.
Check out the store’s bookshelves for conversation-starting coffee table reads and overambitious cookbooks for your kitchen counter. Then, head over to the home section for vintage art prints and stationery, which you can pushpin to your walls for a shabby chic look.
3. Embolden your bookshelves and cabinets.
Storage furniture isn’t just for old textbooks and fine china. You can leverage tall bookshelves and glass cabinets to spruce up your apartment walls without taking a hammer to them.
Add visual interest to your bookshelf by strategically arranging items such as plants, framed pictures, and decorative accents. Not sure where to start? Driven by Decor has some great tips for decorating shelves and bookcases to maximize aesthetic impact!
4. Consider curtains.
If you don’t have bookshelves and want to avoid pinning things on the wall entirely—consider curtains. Textured linen curtains and sheer veils work great with mid-century modern furniture, and floral patterns in bold colors enhance your vintage vibes! Plus, by using tension curtain rods, you don’t need a drill or nails to hang your window treatments.
5. Check out adhesive solutions.
Adhesive back utility hooks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which enable them to support a range of paintings and ornaments. Find a set of hooks designed to hold the weight of the item you want to hang (the packaging should indicate how many lbs. they hold). Then, follow the instructions on the package to prep your wall and hang your artwork. Remember, some wall paints and finishes are more prone to chipping than others, so performing a spot test in an inconspicuous spot is a good idea.
No blog covering damage-free ways to decorate your walls would be complete without mentioning wallpaper. Many home furniture stores and online decor retailers carry peel-and-stick decals that are so not-your-grandma’s style. Popular wallpaper options include quotes, flowers, geometrical patterns, and even 3D butterflies. With so many options, you’re sure to find one that fits your style and your budget. Just make sure to remove them carefully when it’s time to move out!
6. Save your walls and your security deposit!
Property damages like excessive nail holes and stained walls are grounds for your landlord to keep part or all of your security deposit. Use these tips to make sure you get that cash money back at the end of your lease. And if you still feel unsatisfied with your decor, consider finding a nicer apartment with ApartmentSearch. You might qualify for our $200 reward by doing so!
