Easy Wall Decorating Ideas for Renters

If you live in a rental but dream of personalizing your walls, don’t fret. There are many ways to put a stamp on your space without making permanent changes. The wall decorating ideas below are easy to accomplish, and they won’t leave a mark. Make a big statement, change it up as you like, and most importantly, remove the evidence without a trace when your lease is up! Ready for a closer look?…

Washi Tape

One of today’s most popular craft supplies, washi tape is colorful, easy to work with, and easy to remove! This washi tape statement wall from Brit + Co. was created using Scotch tape products. Follow the link for a full tutorial, including a glimpse at how you can even expand the design to the floor:

Here’s another colorful washi tape statement wall, this time in a herringbone pattern that’s easy to execute, precisely because the ends don’t have to perfectly match up. Check out all the details at HGTV:

The washi tape wall below is fabulous for many reasons, but we’re particularly drawn to the mini-blind look and the overlapping triangles. The lines are thicker because each one is created by two strips of tape. While the design may look complicated, it was created in only one afternoon. Details at The Paper Place:

Mountain-pattern washi tape wall from The Paper Place

While this next wall treatment (from the Trident Hotel in Port Antonio, Jamaica) is NOT created from washi tape, you can use it as inspiration to spark your own washi tape design! Staggered lines create a clean, contemporary look in a slender space. [from Lonny]

Wall treatment at the bar of the Trident Hotel

From lines to rectangles! This Washi Tape Wall Decor from A Beautiful Mess was created with wide washi tape. The project reinforces the importance of measuring and planning before you start sticking. A grid guide, pencil marks or other notations can be crucial in pulling off a precise design like this:

Who needs wallpaper when you can create your own DIY Washi Tape Wall Decals from Everything Emily?! Crafted from two rolls of washi tape for less than $10, this on-trend design is perfect for modern spaces. Check out the full tutorial for helpful hints, including the benefits of using a hair dryer to help seal the washi tape to the wall!

Wall Decals

While creating your own design by cutting strips of washi tape is definitely doable, decals remove some of the legwork. All you need to do is come up with a pattern! Below we see the Walls Need Love Triangle Decal Set from Urban Outfitters, offered in a set of 68 for an affordable $12:

Sometimes all you need is one decal. This Walls Need Love Spacey Circle Decal from Urban Outfitters is made from repositionable vinyl, making it easy to apply, move and remove. Consider it your own window to the galaxy:

Galaxy circle decal from Urban Outfitters

You can purchase Walls Need Love decals through Urban Outfitters, or you can head on over to the Walls Need Love site and browse an array of interesting designs, such as the Terry Fan Space Geodesic Circle Print below. Enjoy a unique perspective on the heavens as if you were flying in the Hubble Telescope. Geo style meets astronomy! The decal is available in both large and standard sizes:

Geodesic wall decal from Walls Need Love

Temporary Wallpaper

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous and you want a wallpapered look, you can always give temporary wallpaper a go! One way to achieve the look is by using a temporary wallpaper paste made from cornstarch and water. This very paste was used to create the DIY White Brick Wall from Fall for DIY:

Temporary brick wallpaper wall from Fall For DIY — Temporary brick wallpaper wall from Fall for DIY

Temporary wallpaper created from fabric is another fabulous option, and Vintage Revivals pulls it off while sharing a recipe for both cornstarch temporary paste and fabric starch temporary paste options. Vintage Revivals also shares some important helpful hints, such as the need to be prepared to wash the walls if you remove the paper/fabric. Yes, cornstarch can leave a residue!

Temporary Fabric Wallpaper from Vintage Revivals

Looking for an even more low maintenance way to incorporate temporary wallpaper? How about self-adhesive paper? This Pinball Gold Self-Adhesive Wallpaper from CB2 features an intriguing modern pattern of spheres and zig-zags. Designed by artist Noël Ashby, the wallpaper has a self-adhesive backing that makes it removable. How convenient!

And if you wish you could paint a custom pattern on your wall but you simply can’t go with an option that permanent, give this DIY Self-Adhesive Wallpaper from CB2 a try! Yes, it’s blank white temporary wallpaper that’s ready to hold your own unique design: