A rented house provides shelter from the elements and a place to stay, but it is not truly a home when decorating options are greatly limited. Most landlords do not allow tenants to paint the walls, and for very good reason. Some would create a sloppy mess, while others would choose hideous colors, even in the living room. The home belongs to someone else, and the renter is simply paying to use it. Although it is not permissible to make permanent or even semi permanent changes in a rented home, it is possible to come up with stylish decorating schemes that can drastically change the living room walls without making alterations.
I currently live in a rented house, and if I were staying I would use the following decorating options to make it look and feel more like a home. I plan on buying a home in the next few months, and even though I will be able to make permanent changes to the living room walls and all other parts of the structure, I will still use some of these creative ideas. I have helped countless friends, relatives and clients with their decorating needs, and I am looking forward to completing my own.
Change Living Room Walls with Wallpapered or Painted Panels
When rented living room walls cannot be painted, do the next best thing. Paint or wallpaper plywood or medium density fiberboard. To prevent the panels from falling over and causing damage or injury, attach them to the living room walls using at least four wall anchors. The small holes left behind can be easily filled when changing the decorating scheme or moving out of the rented home.
Decorating Living Room Walls with Painted Stretched Canvases
Living room walls in a rented home can be decorated with contemporary style and absolutely any colors or designs. Paint or paper stretched canvases, and evenly space and mount them on a single wall. The canvases can be painted and stamped with designs and decorated in any way imaginable. Stretched canvases are light, and they can be hung with wire hangers that will not leave behind large holes. In any case, they can be patched when necessary. If you are allowed to hang works of art in your rented home, you can hang painted or papered stretched canvases.
Decorate a Living Room Wall with Peel and Stick Text or Graphics
Peel and stick text and graphics can be used when decorating rented living room walls. They are ideal because they are easy to remove. Peel and stick decor does not leave behind residue or anything that will require repair.
Even a rented house should feel like a home, but it takes personal touches beyond furniture and simple wall hangings. The desire to add vibrancy and stylistic appeal is the key. Living room walls can be colorful, and you can make a bold decorating statement – even in a rented home.
Source: Personal and Professional Home Design and Decorating Experience