Yanic Simard, Houzz Contributor
Decorating a temporary space is always a dilemma. You want to feel at home, but when you know the space won’t be home for long, it can be hard to justify a large investment. For these in-between accommodations, I’ve put together some of the best ways to add life, color and a sense of you to a space while saving the big expenditures for your down-the-road dream home.
It should be noted, though, that before you do anything to your rental home — painting a wall or even hanging a piece of art — it’s wise to check with your landlord first.
15 No-Cost Ways to Decorate Your Space
1. Wallpaper. Giant wall art can add a sense of color to a room without actually painting or papering any walls. Re-create this effect without the frame by buying a single roll of wallpaper and hanging a continuous sheet like an art print using simple double-sided tape. (Or, invest in one room-defining painting, knowing you’ll find somewhere to put it when you move.)
2. Sofas. As I’ve mentioned before, a simple gray or neutral sofa is the best long-term investment, as it will outlast color trends. However, if the manufacturer offers interchangeable covers for the sofa, you can spring for a bold option too and bring a strong punch of color to spice up white walls.
3. Pillows. Playful pillows are one of the best ways to add interest to a space without any long-term commitment. Choose wild covers now and you can move them to new spaces later — or zip them off and reuse the inserts in a new color scheme.
Tip: If you stuff a pillow cover with a slightly larger pillow, such as a 22-inch pillow in a 20-inch case, it’ll usually be plumper and firmer, allowing it to form the back of a window bench or stack into an extra seat for guests on movie night.
Revamp Your Space With New Throw Pillows From Houzz
4. Bold rugs. Besides your sofa and its accessories, a bold, colorful rug is another great way to redefine a room without resorting to construction. It will hide an unattractive floor, bring color without painting, and, if you buy a large enough one now (at least 8 by 10 feet), you’re likely to have a place to put it in your next home.
5. Art shelves. If you’re willing to put just a few screw holes in the wall, which you can patch later (check with your landlord first), a floating shelf will give you a space for an ever-changing display of art and mementos without having to add a nail for each individual piece. Use one hook to hang a plug-in light, and you’ve got a complete look.
6. Art collages. Another alternative to nailing up numerous frames is to hang lightweight images, which can be suspended with Blu Tack or clips attached with double-sided tape.
7. Headboards. A bed with a large headboard can anchor a room, adding some height to your furniture suite so the walls feel more filled-in. Look for free-standing headboards that can be added to your bed now and reattached to an upgraded model down the road.
8. Mirrors. A tall mirror leaning against a wall can expand your space and dress the room without hanging, and you’ll always be able to find a use for it in a new home. For even more impact, paint or gold-leaf the frame, and don’t be afraid to group a few mismatched mirrors together.
9. Curtains. Like a rug, a curtain is a great way to add color without touching the walls. If you upgrade your curtain rod to a long style that travels approximately wall to wall (achievable without much investment), you can drape a full feature wall in multiple panels — and use them in your next space either together or broken up.
10. Washi tape. This fun trend originating from Japan uses colorful, removable tape to create designs on anything from small decor items to walls themselves, for a wallpaper-like effect without as much work and with much less commitment. Create a whimsical block pattern with a few colors cut into random strips.
