12 Easy DIYs to Bring Your Rental from Drab to Fab

Rental living is hard enough with all its quirks and surprises. So when it comes to making your space really feel like home, it’s easy to settle and skip out on all that extra work (and money spent). The power of a good DIY — no matter how big or small — can transform any room, add instant character to your home, and help you save some serious dough. With our list of DIY #rentalhacks below, you can get your apartment to Instagram-worthy status in just one weekend. Grab those supplies, cue up Netflix, and get ready to make, make, make!

Pegboard Hanging Plant DIY

Space — especially indoor garden space — can be tricky to come by in a rental. A pegboard is a cost-effective way to display your plant babies and give them plenty of room to grow. (via Oh Joy!)

Chasing Paper Poppy Pattern Removable Wallpaper

Removable wallpaper is a gift from the home decor gods. This poppy version looks cheerful year-round.

Painted Shoe Cabinet

Space-saving shoe closets are a must in any home. Update yours with paint and new hardware for a designer look that will have your friends asking where you bought it. (via iHeart Organizing)

Cabinet Bar Cart

Bar carts are great and all, but they can take up precious real estate and add visual clutter to cramped quarters. Repurposing a cabinet for yours is not only cost-effective but it allows you to keep everything at bay behind closed doors. (via Brittany Makes)

Fireplace Repurposing

If you’re lucky enough to live in a home with a mantel, you probably also have a decommissioned fireplace. So what do you do? Paint the inside and stack it full of books and magazines — duh! (via SF Girl by Bay)

Removable Fabric Wallpaper

While we love removable wallpaper, it’s not always the best (or cheapest) option for a large room. Fabric and liquid starch are the new answer to your renter woes. (via Brit + Co)

Renter Friendly Built-Ins

Everyone wants built-in storage, but landlords aren’t usually keen on permanent installations. Using millwork and IKEA bookshelves, you can get the classic look of the shelving that is also easily removable. (via PMQ for Two)

Quadro Style Removable Floor Vinyl Decal

Rental flooring tends to be tragic, covered in weird stains, and has nothing to do with your style. Removable vinyl floor tiles in a variety of patterns and styles can take your bathroom or kitchen from condemned to Insta-worthy in a day.

DIY Gold Stripe Fridge

Stainless steel appliances are not usually part of the renter package, and those white appliances just don’t quite cut it. Wrap yours in gold duct tape for a glam update that won’t break the bank. (via Style Me Pretty)

Bookshelf Room Divider

Create the illusion of an extra room in your studio apartment with a large bookcase. Style it on both sides or use it as an entryway console. (via Meredith and Gwenyth, The New Yorkie)

Corner Shelves / Radiator Shelf

Older rentals may have large radiators to contend with. If you can’t cover them up, add a shelf over them to gain more storage. If it’s near a corner, you can create a custom wall unit to display books and knickknacks. (via Apartment Therapy)

DIY Modern Blanket Ladder

If you don’t have the floor real estate for cute blanket baskets and bins, use that vertical space to display your throws. Painted or adorned with metallics, the ladders are totally customizable. (via Darling Darleen)