Paint alternatives for renters

Life is hard for us renters, isn’t it? We can’t paint our walls or install new flooring…or can we?

There are a wealth of wall decals out there nowadays, including some very interesting headboard decals. As much as I love these, they can get really pricey and sometimes don’t cover a lot of space. So, what to do?

Contact Paper

Donna Alberico for The New York Times

I was playing around with some of the home & garden interactive tools on the NYT website and noticed that one couple* has used contact paper to create wallpaper in their dining room. Looks like paint to me. Stephanie Sabbe posted a fantastic tutorial on how to create a contact paper chevron pattern in her rental on her blog that was also featured on Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy, so you know it’s legit.

from hemmendorff.com

Self-adhesive vinyl is also an option for your floors.

Block Posters

Take an image and blow it the hell up. I much prefer the look of this when there’s space between each block to emphasize the grid-ness of it.

Masking Tape

Apartment Therapy Small Cool 2006 entry #32 - Hakarl and Jili's Bold Bright Moves

Seriously? Yes. (via AT)

image from littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com

For a more colorful option, Jenny from Pearl Street Interiors used Happy Tape for an awesome and surprisingly cheap ($5 for a 50 ft roll) wall makeover.

Fabric and Starch

via Saucy Dwellings

This could even work in a dorm. Of course, this is only affordable if your fabric is cheap. Bostonians should visit Freddy Farkel’s or Sew Low. Here is a tutorial. Here are some results.

Edit: Design*Sponge posted a link to another tutorial here.

Curtains

photo via decormind

Who says you have to use curtains to cover just windows? Cover your whole wall in them. Watch out for the price here though. You’re going to need a lot more yardage than you think. Consider buying a bunch of muslin (cheap white-ish fabric) and doing a sketch or screen print on it.

Removable wallpaper

Alto pattern by Temppaper

This can still be pricey, but if you’re planning on renting for a long time or have a small room or accent wall to cover, it should do the trick. Check out designs from Temppaper, the Sherwin Williams Easy Change line, and Graham Brown Superfresco Easy.

Important notes:

1. Do not attempt to use contact paper on drywall
2. Test tape, contact paper, or fabric on an inconspicuous spot on your wall before application
3. Use a hairdryer to help remove contact paper from your walls when you’re moving out

*I just wanted to point out that the couple paid $200 for a throw pillow. $200. Don’t do that.

Tagged as: apartment, bedroom, making things, saving money