From stick-on tiles to bookshelves: nine easy ways to update your rental home on a budget

Renting often means living with someone else’s design choices, from magnolia walls and tired carpets to ugly furniture. And the worst part is, you usually can’t do much about it. While social media is full of dreamy interiors and home renovation projects, most renters don’t have the option to knock down walls, retile a bathroom, or even paint without permission.

As someone who’s rented a string of different flats – furnished, unfurnished, shoebox-sized, and occasionally some with questionable landlord DIY – I’ve learned to get creative. Making a place feel like home when you can’t even hang up artwork makes those smaller, temporary changes even more important.

Whether you’re in a flatshare where you can’t touch the walls or if you’re on a budget generally and want a quick update, these upgrades are practical, affordable and, crucially, removable. From stick-on tiles to smart storage swaps, here’s how to give your space a glow-up, without losing your deposit.

The best renter-friendly home updates

Cupboard handles

Changing the cupboard or drawer handles is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add personality to a rented home. Kitchen cupboards, wardrobes, bedside tables, bathroom cabinets and even a basic chest of drawers can be upgraded this way. It’s reversible and easy; just be sure to store the original handles somewhere safe for when you move out. Even better, you can take them with you with each move.

Boone marble handle

_{£18 each at Anthropologie}

Brass cup handle

_{£9.50 each at Bowley & Jackson
£12.50 each at Cox & Cox}

Ceramic flower knobs

_{£4.99 a pair at Zara Home}

Nicola Spring floral ceramic cabinet knobs

_{£13.99 for six at B&Q}

Stick-on tiles

If your kitchen splashback or bathroom tiles have seen better days, peel-and-stick tiles are a quick, affordable way to freshen things up. There’s no grout, no mess and, crucially, little risk of damage. They’re easy to apply (just make sure the surface is clean and dry) and just as easy to remove when it’s time to move out. For the bathroom, make sure you pick waterproof ones.

Subway self-adhesive splashback tiles

_{£32 for 10 at Dunelm}

Subway peel-and-stick backsplash tiles

_{£13.99 for four at World of Wallpaper}

Self-adhesive 3D wall tile stickers

_{£22 for 10 at B&Q}

Black and white sticky-back vinyl floor tiles

_{£11.99 for 10 at B&Q
£14.99 for 10 at Amazon}

You could also fit a splashback panel with double-sided tape. You can often get these cut to size, though that will probably bump up the price. These Ikea designs – with finishes looking like everything from marble and terrazzo to concrete and copper – will fit most standard kitchens, and your landlord will be none the wiser.

Lysekil wall panel

_{£40 for 0.65m² at Ikea}

Removable wall hooks

No one wants to face a deposit deduction over a tiny drilled hole. Removable adhesive hooks make it easy to add personality without too much damage, as long as you’re OK with fixing up any paint damage, and are careful about where and how you apply (and remove) them. Command adhesive strips are great for hanging pictures and prints, as well as heavier-duty items such as jackets and bags. I also stuck a Command hook to the side of my wardrobe so I can hang clothes for steaming.

Command picture hanging strips

_{£12 for 12 large strips at Argos
£12.99 for 16 assorted strips at Amazon}

Jordborr snowflake self-adhesive hooks

_{£3 for three at Ikea}

Command removable sticky nail

_{£4 each at John Lewis
£4 each at Dunelm}

Command brushed nickel hooks

_{£14.32 for three at Amazon}

Cordless wall lights

If your light fittings are less than optimal, you can add cordless lights. Battery-operated sconces are a great alternative for renters hoping to add some warmer lighting without the need for wiring. Most wireless wall lights say they require wall screwing, but Command strips work just as well and avoid holes.

Mushroom rechargeable wall light

_{£48 at John Lewis}

Primrose rechargeable wall light

_{£135 at Pooky}

Freestanding bookshelves

Most shelving units require wall fittings, but freestanding bookshelves are a great way to dress up extra storage space. If space allows, you could buy a couple and create a bookshelf accent wall. You don’t have to limit yourself to books, or fill every centimetre either.

If you plan to fill these with lots of heavy belongings, you may need to fix them to the wall too, so keep this in mind.

Thura steel bookcase

_{£199.95 at Sklum}

Brunel red edition lean-to wide shelves

_{£479 at Heal’s}

Fulton ladder bookcase

_{£69.30 at Dunelm}

Rugs, throws and cushions

Soft furnishings can completely change the mood of a room. A well-placed rug can cover up tired carpet or cold flooring, and swapping dated curtains can transform a space. Don’t be afraid of patterns if the rest of the room is neutral.

Patchwork bedspread

_{£165 at Oliver Bonas}

Woven chevron throw

_{£29.50 at Oliver Bonas}

Joan tufted cushion cover

_{£10.99 at La Redoute}

John Lewis x Sanderson Pinetum Stripe bolster cushion

_{£55 at John Lewis}

Scandi modern high-pile checkered rug

_{£89.25 at H&M}

Stick-on surfaces

Whether your kitchen counters have seen better days or you want to spruce up some unsightly cupboard doors, sticky-back plastic is easy to apply and remove. Brands such as D-C-Fix (available from B&Q) offer a wide range of patterns, from wood-effect to marble.

D-C-Fix wood-effect self-adhesive film

_{£8 for 2m at B&Q
£7.99 for 2m at Amazon}

Fablon matt sticky-back plastic

_{£6 for 2m at Dunelm}

Terrazzo-effect vinyl furniture wrap

_{From £14.99 for 65cm² at Restowrap}

D-C-Fix pink vinyl self-adhesive film

_{£6 for 2m at B&Q}

Peel-and-stick wallpaper

If you want to add some personality to your walls, peel-and-stick wallpaper could be the solution. From botanical and geometric prints to solid colours, there is a huge range of designs from which to choose. Just bear in mind that there is a chance of damaging the paint or any loose plaster on removal, as with the Command strips above.

Solid colour peel-and-stick wallpaper

_{From £20 at Peel & Paper}

One o’clocks floral peel-and-stick wallpaper

_{£32 for 2.85m² at B&Q}

Delhoved forest green peel-and-stick wallpaper

_{£42.72 for 1m² at Hovia}

Removable stained glass

Surprisingly realistic, and perfect for adding privacy to lower windows or internal doors, this peelable stained glass paint adds a decorative touch.

Glass paint set

_{£38.24 for six bottles at Amazon}

Complete the look with self-adhesive lead.

Faux lead lines strip

_{£4.49 a 66m at Amazon}

Self-adhesive lead strip

_{From £14.16 for 10m at Fred Aldous}