The age-old dilemma of the renter is how to make a apartment feel like home when, often times, painting or altering the house is not an option.  This is a dilemma that I have dealt with often, and it is actually not as difficult as you might think to add interest to walls without permanently altering them.  Here are three easy ideas that can add personality to your rental walls.  (These ideas are also great for homeowners who are afraid of commitment.)

1. Gift wrap your walls. This idea can add pattern and even texture to a wall and gives the look of wallpaper or upholstery without the messy removal problems.  First, choose a wrapping paper or fabric with a pattern that you like.  Then use a staple gun to attach the paper (or fabric) to the wall.  Finish off by using a razor to neatly trim the edges at the top and bottom of the wall.  (Note:  staple primarily at the top and bottom of the wall, with a few staples spaced in the middle.  Paper works best for small walls, while fabric can be used on larger walls.)

2. Use large scale artwork.  Art is perhaps the single easiest way to add interest to your walls and express your personality at the same time.  Using artwork that is large in scale has the added benefit of creating the same sort of interest that architectural detail might create because it engages the eye in a more dramatic fashion that smaller art does.

3. Use vinyl. There are a myriad of options available for removable vinyl wall decals.  They can evoke just about any mood you want, and can vary from small motifs to large wall murals.  And the beauty of adhesive vinyl is that it truly can be removed from a painted wall without ANY difficulty.

Walls play a big role in creating a home that feels like a home.  But never fear, even if you can’t permanently alter the walls in the place you are living, you can still give them personality by implementing these simple ideas.