15 Renter-Approved Upgrades To Make Your Home Feel More Expensive

Transforming a rented space into a stylish and sophisticated sanctuary can often feel like a daunting task when faced with a few hundred bland and generic cubic feet. The thing is, if you shift your mindset a bit, this same drab space is also a canvas for so many possibilities.

About 36% of households are renters in the U.S, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Multifamily Housing Council. This number increases to 60% for millennials. The reasons why someone rents varies, but common reasons include affordability, flexibility, and job uncertainty, to name a few. 

With restrictions on making permanent changes, it’s easy to feel limited by the boundaries of a lease agreement. However, you don’t need to sacrifice style or comfort just because you’re renting. The key to creating a home that feels both luxurious and uniquely yours lies in making smart, temporary upgrades that enhance your space without violating any rental rules.

Whether you’re looking to revamp your living room, add a touch of elegance to your bedroom, or simply refresh your space with some chic accessories, these upgrades are practical and impactful. From clever swaps to inexpensive DIY projects, these tips are designed to help you achieve a high-end look without a hefty price tag. You don’t need to invest in costly renovations or permanent changes to achieve a polished and sophisticated look. 

With a bit of creativity and the right approach, you can transform your rental into a space that feels both luxurious and inviting. Here are 15 ways to get started.

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1. Swap Out the Boob Lights

Switch up those standard Lowes lights that were picked out by your middle-aged male landlord with something that reflects your style. Switching out lights does require some caution since it deals with electrical, but it’s totally a Do-It-Yourself job, just be sure to pay extra attention to your tutorials. There are some gorgeous chandeliers on Facebook Marketplace that cost less than $100 to add timeless glamor to your space. Want to avoid electric work entirely? Consider adding battery operated sconces to your wall (like these ones!) or using Smart LED bulbs.

2. Add Antiques for Instant Class

My biggest tip when shopping for antiques is to skip the antique stores entirely and go right for Goodwill or other small thrift stores. Antique dealers know when they have a treasure, and they’ll price it accordingly. Thrift stores don’t. You can often find crystal, woven baskets, silver servingware, brass accents, and vintage art and frames for an absolute steal. 

3. Get Green

Nothing says luxury like indoor outdoor living. Unfortunately, many of us simply can’t achieve that when we live on the sixth floor or our view is a brick wall, but we can fake it ‘til we make it by brightening our space with plants and flora. I recommend avoiding plants with large leaves, even popular ones like Ikea’s beloved fiddle leaf fig trees. You’d be surprised at how much you will have to dust it. Planters can also be expensive, but my favorite tip is waiting until you find a basket at Goodwill that will fit over your existing pot. Be sure to line the interior of the basket with saran wrap to avoid any leaks! Another classy way to add luxury is adding an herb garden to your kitchen, preferably on a windowsill. Fresh thyme and mint? Yes, please.

4. Add Space by Dividing Your Space

Wait, what? I’ll rephrase: Who here has lived in a studio apartment? It’s important to create individual spaces in a room to help make what you have function best. This can be done by simply adding a rug, creating furniture vignettes, or adding additional lighting that can help ground a particular corner. When dealing with small spaces, giving every inch a purpose matters.

5. Visually Raise Your Ceilings

Raise the height of your ceilings by hanging curtains as high as they can go, and always opt for the length to brush the ground. You can also achieve this illusion by hanging your artwork slightly higher than you usually would. If you’re up for painting, opt to keep the ceiling and crown molding the same color.

6. Skip the Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are a work of art, and to be honest, a lot of us are not gifted at it, especially when we’re on a budget. If you want to up your wall art game, go big. Let one big piece of art speak for the 12 kitschy pieces that you piecemealed together. Get your frames secondhand, and either paint over the existing painting with an original piece or purchase a print to add. Want to bring in texture to add some extra luxury? Go for a tapestry.

7. Rethink Your Shower Curtain

Did you know there’s absolutely no need to use traditional shower curtains? You can use any window curtain so long as you have a shower liner to do the real protecting. Not only will your options for curtains exponentially increase, but you can even accentuate the height of your bathroom ceilings by opting for a longer curtain.

8. Swap Out Your Shower Head

It’s literally easy as 1, 2, 3 (and 4). First, remove your existing shower head (sometimes tools aren’t even needed!). Next, clean the existing shower arm, particularly the thread. Step number three is apply the thread tape before, finally, twist your new head into place! There are several reasons you may want to make the swap, ranging from saving water, to filtering out chemicals, or simply, because of looks and feel!

9. Create an Accent Wall with Peel and Stick Wallpaper

So long renter’s beige! It’s time to bring in texture, color, and patterns to a dull room by adding peel and stick wallpaper. If you haven’t used peel and stick wallpaper before, be sure to read the instructions carefully before attempting to apply. Second, start small by focusing on one accent wall or small room, like a half bath. Wallpaper may be trickier to put up than painting, but you’ll thank yourself when it comes time to move. It’s much easier and more time savvy to tear off wallpaper than to repaint a room.

10. Color Drench

If you can’t resist the urge to paint and your lease agreement allows for it, go all in. Color drenching is all the rage now and adds a cohesive and expensive look to any room. Paint all trim, molding, walls, and even the ceiling the same color for a dramatic and luxe look. 

11. Add Molding to Your Walls

Wallpaper sound a bit too intimidating? Consider millwork (the broader and more general term for “molding”). Molding is everywhere, and thanks to these peel and stick trims, you can add instant old world charm to your apartment. There’s a variety of options available, and don’t skip on adding added visual interest by breaking out the command strips and applying these millwork accents (just $14!).

12. Upgrade Cabinet and Drawer Pulls and Knobs

Cabinet hardware is jewelry for your kitchen. I couldn’t believe the difference these brass knobs made to my otherwise standard Ikea cabinet. Amazon and Hobby Lobby have a plethora of affordable knobs to easily swap out the generic ones that your landlord likely installed. Be sure to measure the length of your pull so that you purchase the correct size.

13. Install New Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures

You may want to run this one by your landlord, but consider swapping out the fixtures in your kitchen or bathroom. If your landlord is fine with it, but you still feel uncomfortable doing it yourself, you can find a handyman to do it for a low cost over at Taskrabbit.

14. Try Peel and Stick Tiles for Kitchen and Bathrooms

Whether it’s on your floor or used as a backsplash, peel and stick tiles have come a long way in offering luxurious upgrades to your apartment. 

15. Make It Your Home

Nothing feels cheaper than creating a home that’s a carbon copy of Ikea or a showroom for Anthropologie. Your rental is supposed to feel like a home, not a museum and not like a temporary living space. Don’t be afraid of finding your own personal style and embracing it. Even wood paneling can be super trendy these days if you (pardon the pun) own it.