31 Amazing (and Reversible) Apartment Decorating Ideas

Just because you're renting doesn't mean you can't show off your style. You're likely going to want to add more storage, refresh rooms with more color, make spaces feel larger by bringing in more light and create an overall inviting ambiance for entertainment and inspiration. Here are 31 apartment decorating ideas for personalizing your rental that can also be easily reversible when you decide to leave.

For some of these ideas, you may want to test out products and read application directions thoroughly before fully committing so that you’re careful not to leave any unintended damage (for example, not all removable picture hanging strips are easily removable). If your décor plans will change your apartment's physical structure in any way, check your lease and clear it with your landlord or property manager before making any updates.

Happy decorating!

1. Install floating shelves

These work well for any room and can hold more weight than you think — anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds or more, depending on the brand. Offset the shelves or stack them one over the other to create visual interest on the wall. They're a great apartment decorating idea to showcase vases, books, photos, plants and candles. Or use them for more utilitarian purposes in a bathroom to hold small towels and soaps. While you can install these on any wall material, from drywall to concrete or brick, check with the landlord as you may need to sink supports deep into the wall.

2. Find a coat rack

Coat closet too small, or non-existent? Tuck a vintage coat rack into a corner, the kind with S-hooks for hats and coats and a neat circle big enough to hold Mary Poppins' umbrella. Got a larger foyer? Look for a mudroom bench that can go flat against the wall, has hooks, a shelf and possibly room for boots and shoes at the bottom. It can be a great statement piece.

3. Hang shelves over your doors

Don't waste the prime real estate above your doorways. There's plenty of room for things you might not need right away, like spare blankets, seasonal clothing or books. Install a long shelf over doors — or windows — to keep clutter up and away.

4. Layer on removable wallpaper

If you want to add some life and color to your rooms, temporary wallpaper will do the trick. Keep in mind that it works best on smooth walls. If you've got textured walls, you'll have air bubbles. But if your walls are flat, use it in any room in your apartment for a fresh look and remove it when you leave — no harm, no foul.

5. Cover a backsplash with peel-and-stick tile

No more out-of-date backsplash. You can easily install peel-and-stick tiles to any clean, smooth surface, including ceramic or glass tiles. They're heat resistant, so no need to worry about them falling off onto your stove, and they're humidity resistant, so you can go ahead and hide the old pink tile in your bathroom. They're easy to remove when you move out and won't damage the walls (be sure to follow removal directions).

6. Redo your floor with removable tile

Peel and stick to the rescue! These come in ceramic, faux wood, checkerboard, solids or planks to fit any style. Be aware that there's a method for removal, and it may take time and patience. This is definitely a check-with-your-landlord-first project.

7. Divide and conquer with a shoji screen

In Japanese architecture, a shoji is traditionally a type of room divider made of translucent papery sheets on a lattice frame. They can be elaborate sliding doors or windows, but they can also be small three- or four-panel freestanding devices. They're a great rental décor idea since they create a little privacy but also let in light. Many come with designs to add color and movement to your room.

8. Hang a curtain for privacy

Even if you're living solo in a studio apartment or a loft with no bedroom door, you might want to define the sleeping area — and increase privacy. A curtain hanging from the ceiling is a great apartment décor option. Use filmy, sheer fabric for a light and airy look or a heavier drape for more privacy. Pull it across to a side wall for some drama. Use adhesive hooks to hang the curtain from the ceiling so it remains damage-free.

9. Bring in a faux built-in

Who doesn't need more storage? You can get a built-in look with a piece of furniture, or several bookcases pushed together and painted the same color as your walls. Cover the gaps between the built-in and your walls with pieces of removable (aka peel-and-stick) molding.

10. Get drawer organizers

Big storage drawers are great, but they can turn into “junk drawers' if you're not careful. Drawer dividers will help you keep things neat and tidy. And when you move out, you can leave the items in the drawers to make packing easier.

11. Mount your TV

Want more space in your living room? Hang your television on the wall. You can hang a TV on any surface, although you might want to hire a pro if you've got brick or concrete. Before you mount something as large as a flat-screen, contact your landlord or property manager to make sure they're on board. This is one of those apartment decorating ideas that might mean some level of wall repair before you move (if you want your security deposit back).

12. Create a gallery wall

Sometimes, one is the loneliest number when it comes to wall art. Mix and match shapes, colors, textures and styles to design an intriguing gallery wall. Or go with a planned scheme such as all framed 8x10' black and white photography. Bottom line, it's an easy way to personalize your rental.

13. Decorate with throw pillows and blankets

Most rental apartments are painted a neutral shade. Create a unique and colorful space with pillows, throws and rugs. Choose an anchor color to pick up on colors in the room. If you've got an awesome blue ottoman, choose pillows, throws or rugs with just a dab of that color as an echo. You don't want to overshadow the main event.

14. Cover up with window treatments

Beyond adding color and style, drapes and shades can keep in the heat or the air conditioning, cut down on glare and, of course, create private spaces. There are lots of options for hanging temporary window treatments, including sturdy adhesive hooks or for lighter weight materials, tension rods, no-drill brackets or magnetic curtain rods. Don't like drapes? Try temporary shades with built-in tension rods.

15. Purchase pull-out storage

Nobody likes having to bend over and dig around under their sink. If there's enough room, you can mount slides for trash, recyclables or cleaning products. These can be base- or side-mounted and come in a variety of heights and widths. Not handy? Large baskets with handles can do the trick. Make sure you find ones that are waterproof.

16. Create out-of-sight storage

You can store items in plain sight with a little ingenuity. For example, if you've got a pedestal sink in the bathroom, attach a long piece of fabric from the sink base using Velcro tabs. Stow your gear behind the curtain.

17. Enlarge your space with mirrors

Mirrors are a secret tool when it comes to apartment décor. Not only can they add visual interest, they give the illusion of depth, making a room look larger. Angle your mirror so it reflects a focal point in the room, such as a bed or a couch. The mirror glass will also reflect natural and artificial light, which keeps your room brighter. A large mirror standing on the floor is a great trick for 'adding' space.

18. Hang a table from the wall

If you've got to work from home but don't want to use the same table where you eat, consider mounting a drop-leaf table on a wall. Fold it flat to the wall when it's not in use and extend it out when you need it.

19. Make your furniture multitask

If you're going to take up floor space with an ottoman, get it to work extra hard and find one that can be used for storage. Opt for nesting tables that can be separated and moved around the room. Get a platform bed that includes drawers.

20. Add light with sconces

Wall sconces are one of those under-utilized apartment decorating ideas. Use them to light a hallway, over your bed for late-night book reading (and save space on your nightstand), hang them on either side of a mirror or piece of art. Best of all, there are a lot of plug-in options that don't need to be hardwired (hardwired options may not be renter-friendly, unless you have approval from your landlord). Alternatively, you can replicate the effect of a sconce using a battery-operated puck light. 

21. Screen off your radiator

If you're in an older apartment, the radiator might lose its charm after a while. You can cover it with a cool, decorative screen to add visual interest. Or top it with a board for an instant shelf.

22. Replace your showerhead

Like to sing in the shower or just listen to music? A Bluetooth showerhead is just the thing. Or go for peace, quiet and spa-like serenity with a massage showerhead. Grab and go when you move out.

23. Change out your faucet

Whether in the bathroom or kitchen, upgrading your faucet will give you a big bang for your visual buck. There's a little plumbing know-how needed for this one, but there are dozens of DIY videos from those who've come before you. And check with your landlord first before proceeding.

24. Decorate with plants

Numerous studies have shown that being around plants and nature ups our emotional well-being. But even without the science, plants are a great apartment decorating idea. Don't fret if you've got low light; plenty of houseplants like pothos, ivy and Chinese evergreens will thrive and add color to your place. Stand them on end tables, hang them from the ceiling or put them on the wall. Green thumbs down? Find yourself an air fern.

25. Plant a container garden

If you've got a windowsill, you've got a place to plant your own herb garden. They'll look good, smell good and make your food tastier. Plant in clay pots, yogurt containers, berry boxes — whatever's at hand. (Be sure to poke holes in the bottom of the pot for drainage.)

26. Bring on the baskets

Baskets are a great storage option for any apartment décor. You can tuck them in a corner behind furniture or hide them in plain sight for laundry or blanket storage. They come in all shapes and sizes; it's easy to find something that fits your style.

27. Add cabinet pulls

This is definitely an “ask the landlord first' project. If you can find pulls that are the same size as the old ones, it's an easy ask. Adding new holes to the cabinetry is a bit tougher.

28. Remove kitchen cabinet doors

If you want the open-shelf look or don't like your cabinet doors, just take them off. Store the doors and all their hardware somewhere safe, so you can put them back on when you're ready to move out.

29. Replace doorknobs

Find doorknobs that match your decorating scheme and tuck the old ones away in a box for when you move out.

30. Hang a shoe holder over the bathroom door

Shampoo, conditioners, straighteners, relaxers, brushes, flat irons and hair dryers — so many products, so little space. Throw a hanging shoe caddy over a door and voilà, instant hair products organizer. They even come with see-through plastic windows, so you don't grab the conditioner before the shampoo.

31. Paint the walls

Your landlord may be amenable to letting you paint walls, but you may have to paint them back to the original color before you leave. Check your lease and with your landlord though before you get too deep into picking colors.