Living in a short-term apartment rental presents a unique interior design challenge. Whether you are staying for three months on a work assignment or six months while transitioning between homes, the space often feels impersonal—a “non-place” that lacks your soul and character. Because you don’t own the property, you are restricted by lease agreements that forbid painting walls, drilling holes, or making permanent structural changes.
However, your environment significantly impacts your mental well-being and productivity. Turning a temporary rental into a cozy sanctuary is not just about aesthetics; it is about feeling grounded in a transient world. Here is how you can decorate your short-term apartment with style and strategy, ensuring you get your security deposit back when it’s time to move on.
The Philosophy of Temporary Decorating
Before purchasing a single item, it is vital to adopt the right mindset. Temporary decorating should focus on “high-impact, low-commitment” changes. This means prioritizing items that are easy to install, easy to remove, and—most importantly—easy to transport to your next destination. Every piece of decor should be something you love enough to take with you, or something inexpensive enough to part with later.
Transforming Walls Without Paint or Nails
The most common grievance in a rental is the “landlord white” or beige walls that can make a space feel sterile. Since painting is usually off the table, you must look for creative vertical solutions.
Removable Wallpaper and Decals
Modern technology has gifted renters with “peel-and-stick” wallpaper. Unlike traditional wallpaper, this version uses a low-tack adhesive that pulls away cleanly without damaging the drywall. A bold accent wall in the living room or a subtle pattern in the bedroom can completely change the room’s temperature. If a full wall feels too daunting, vinyl wall decals or geometric shapes can add visual interest with even less effort.
Command Hooks and Leaning Art
Drilling holes for picture frames is often a lease violation. Command hooks and adhesive strips are the gold standard for renters, allowing you to hang lightweight frames and mirrors securely. For larger, heavier pieces of art, consider the “leaning” method. Placing a large framed canvas on top of a sideboard or leaning a floor-length mirror against a corner adds a sophisticated, gallery-like feel without touching a single tool.
Layering Textiles for Instant Warmth
Furniture in short-term rentals—especially if it comes furnished—is often chosen for durability rather than comfort or style. Textiles are the most effective way to mask unattractive furniture and add your personal color palette.
Area Rugs as Foundation
If your rental has cold linoleum or worn-out carpeting, a large area rug is your best friend. A rug defines a “zone” within a room, such as a seating area or a dining space. It provides a tactile softness that immediately makes a space feel inhabited. Don’t be afraid to layer a smaller, patterned rug over a neutral, wall-to-wall carpet.
The Power of Pillows and Throws
A generic gray sofa can be transformed with a few high-quality velvet or linen throw pillows and a chunky knit blanket. These items add texture and depth to the room. When you move, these are the easiest items to vacuum-seal and pack, ensuring your next home already has a head start on comfort.
Lighting: The Mood Regulator
Standard rental lighting is frequently harsh, overhead, and unflattering. One of the fastest ways to improve the “vibe” of an apartment is to ignore the ceiling light entirely and create layers of ambient lighting.
Floor and Table Lamps
Invest in a few well-placed lamps. A tall arc lamp in the corner of a living room provides a focal point, while a warm-toned table lamp on a desk or nightstand creates a cozy atmosphere for the evening. Always opt for “warm white” LED bulbs (around 2700K) to avoid the clinical feel of “cool white” lighting.
Plug-in Sconces and Fairy Lights
If you lack surface space for lamps, look for plug-in wall sconces. These can be hung using the aforementioned adhesive hooks, providing the look of permanent fixtures without the need for an electrician. For a softer touch in bedrooms or balconies, string lights can add a whimsical, relaxed feel.
Bringing the Outdoors In
Nothing breathes life into a stagnant rental quite like greenery. Plants provide oxygen, color, and a sense of routine.
Low-Maintenance Houseplants
If you are only in a location for a few months, you might not want to invest in a massive fiddle-leaf fig. However, smaller plants like Pothos, Snake Plants, or ZZ Plants are nearly indestructible and easy to move. If you are a frequent traveler, high-quality faux plants have come a long way in realism and can provide the same visual benefit without the watering schedule.
Functional Storage That Looks Good
Short-term apartments often suffer from a lack of built-in storage. Instead of buying ugly plastic bins, look for functional pieces that serve as decor.
Baskets and Rolling Carts
Woven seagrass or wicker baskets are perfect for hiding clutter like shoes, laundry, or extra cables. A stylish rolling utility cart can serve as a mobile coffee station, a bar cart, or a bookshelf. These pieces are versatile and can find a new purpose in any future home.
Conclusion
Decorating a short-term rental is an exercise in creativity and restraint. It is about finding the balance between making a space your own and respecting the boundaries of a lease. By focusing on removable wall treatments, rich textiles, layered lighting, and portable greenery, you can erase the “temporary” feel of your apartment and replace it with a genuine sense of home. Remember, your stay may be short, but your comfort should never be a compromise.