Can I Renovate an Apartment?

Are you wanting to give your place a refresh or change the style? If you’re renting an apartment, you might be wondering if renovations are even allowed. Whether you rent or own, there are plenty of ways to renovate your apartment without breaking your lease. Check out these creative ways to upgrade your apartment with some landlord-friendly apartment renovations.

Always Check with Your Landlord First

Before you begin any renovations on your apartment, you should first make sure that your landlord approves of the project. If you complete renovations without authorization, your landlord may charge you a fine. Your lease should also list any renovations that are allowed and may not require approval.

6 Renovation Ideas for Your Apartment

1. New Light Fixtures

If your apartment is dimly lit, it can often make the space feel much smaller than it is. If you don’t have the option for more natural light, try adding more lamps and overhead lighting to help brighten up the space and make it feel more spacious. 

You may also try swapping out the light fixture with pendent lights, track lighting, or even a chandelier. Light fixtures can run as low as $15 or as much as $5,500 if you’re looking for a fancier option.

2. Peel and Stick Tile

Peel and stick tiles are such a fun and versatile way to give your apartment a makeover. This is an affordable way to renovate your floors, bathroom walls, and your kitchen backsplash. Not only are these tiles super easy to install, but they are also just as easy to remove when needed! On average, peel and stick tile costs anywhere between $1 and $5 per square foot.

3. Install Shelving

Whether you need a place to keep your bathroom toiletries out of the way in your bathroom or you just don’t have space to store all of your favorite keepsakes, adding shelving is a great option for those who need extra storage space in their apartment.

4. Use Wallpaper

Removable wallpaper is another fun option to improve the walls in your apartment. This gives you the option to add color to your walls without having to paint, and it can be removed fairly easily when needed. Although it can vary based on pattern and brand, the price for removable wallpaper generally starts as low as $1 per square foot.

5. Replace Your Showerhead

Another simple and easy renovation that you can do is replace your apartment’s basic showerhead with a new one that you can really enjoy. Not only can your new showerhead increase your water pressure, but there are also energy-efficient options to save both water and money on your monthly water bill.

6. Removable Flooring

Thankfully when it comes to temporary flooring, the options are nearly limitless. If you are wanting to cover up the old linoleum or cracked tile flooring, this might be the perfect solution for you. Peel and stick flooring or floating flooring can both be catered to your tastes and easily removed once your lease is over. The price of removable flooring can vary based on the type and finish that you are wanting.