38 Ways To Upgrade Your Apartment Without Losing Your Deposit

Jun 20, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

"Alexa, play 'Upgrade U' by Beyoncé."

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "This peel-and-stick tile backsplash has completely changed the look of our kitchen. It was relatively easy to install and it was our first time using any peel-and-stick product. One thing we did learn is once it's on the wall...it's not coming off easily. I would highly recommend using the glass cleaner method — this will allow more time to fix your placement if you don't have it just right. Overall, this product is totally worth the price and little time it takes to apply." —Nikki Moody

Get a 10-pack of 12x12 panels from Amazon for $27.94+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "The adhesive is great! My house doesn't have AC so it gets hot and humid, often leaving me concerned the tiles may fall off the wall. But, these tiles have not even made an attempt to fall off. I made sure to clean the wall with TSP cleaner and then wipe down with plain water as I went. These are super easy to cut and install around outlets, light switches, cabinets, etc. Super affordable way to add personality to your kitchen or bathroom!" —andrea

Get it from Amazon for $28.39+ (available in three styles and colors).

Promising review: "These are absolutely beautiful! If I ever move, I'm taking them with me. You may think they're a little pricey, but they're REALLY heavy and far nicer than the stuff you find at the local hardware store. I bought the switch plate, outlet plates, and even a blank plate to cover an old electrical box left behind by DIRECTV." —Karebow

Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in seven finishes).

The horizontal bar can expand from 18 inches to the max 30 inches, and the hanging height can be adjusted by 1-inch increments.

Promising review: "This product has been one of my favorite Amazon finds, I’m not sure why I didn't think of it sooner. It has doubled my closet space in my apartment where I can't make any damage to my closet in terms of adding another permanent shelf so this has been a perfect solution. It was easy to assemble and is sturdy; I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now with no issue. My only complaint, which is not a fault of the product, is your closet has to be pretty high for this to work or else your shirts above are going to get caught on the hangers below and, for my case, some of my shirts are dragging on the floor. So just keep this in mind when you’re thinking about purchasing: you want your closet to be decently tall for this product to work." —Alex

Get it from Amazon for $17.97 (available in chrome or black).

If you're unsure of what color to get, I highly suggest you use the brand's free color chart tool to help you determine which is the right match for your walls.

Soto is a small business based that makes paint touch up kits.

Promising review: "I decided to try this to cover up some of the chips of missing paint in my kitchen. It works perfectly. The bottle is a little bigger than a tube of Wite-Out, but it's going to last me a long time. The paint went on smoothly and dried quickly. I am very happy with this product." —JMar

Get it from Soto on Amazon for $14.95 (available in 12 colors).

Promising review: "I was skeptical about being able to conceal hairline cracks in our bathroom tile that is marbled. After matching the base color, filling the cracks and waiting for the areas to dry, I honestly had a hard time finding the cracks again to apply the clear lacquer. Wish I had found this product sooner. Will recommend to all my friends." —Aileen G.

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

Promising review: "I'm in love. These Edison bulbs are a phenomenal addition to just about any room in the home. I bought these bulbs for my bedside table lamps. They're a perfect addition to my Steampunk industrial themed bedroom. Definitely recommend these Edison bulbs. Side note: my bedside table lamps are touch lamps with three dimming levels. The bulbs work on all three dimming levels." —Zachary

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three colors and packs of six and twelve).

Check out one former BuzzFeed Shopping editor's writeup on the Rabbitgoo rainbow privacy film for more deets on why it's so popular!

Promising review: "Buy it just for the prisms! I can't tell you how surprised and delighted we were at the rainbow effect this film has. I bought it to make a window overlooking the street more private, and I thought I would appreciate seeing the rainbow colors on the window itself. But then when the light was shining on it at the right angle, it cast these beautiful rainbow colors on the wall. So I bought a second roll to put on one of our master bedroom windows that overlooks our neighbor's patio so I don't have to draw the curtains. In the morning now, the light comes in at just the right angle to pass through the rainbow prism and cast beautiful rainbow colors on the wall...and the bed...and the cat." —J. B.

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 10 sizes).

Promising review: "I bought two of these, and they are absolutely perfect for the bedroom. The ONLY — and I mean only — thing that would make it better is if they had separate controls for each light (sometimes it's a bit bright if both are right on top of you). Other than that, these are AMAZING for the price! The quality is top notch, they were easy to install, and they put out great light for bedtime reading or as a moodier light for the bedroom as compared to the overall fan light.

"PS: Yes they DO rotate independently of each other, and the head can swivel a full 180 degrees so you can point both lights up if you really wanted to. I very much enjoy the swiveling features of this light." —Alex Duncan

Get it from Amazon for $87.83.

Each tile is 12" x 12" in size!

Promising review: "These are awesome! I have hated my kitchen floor since I moved in. I rent, so I didn't think I could afford to change it. I found these though and it now looks 110% better!!" —Mic Fo

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $12.35+ (available in blue or gray).

Seven frames with removable contrasting white mats are included.

Promising review: "I love this set! It was delivered quickly, all of the frames and glass came in perfect condition. My favorite part of the entire thing was the guide it came with. After putting the pictures in the frames, I hung the guide, made sure it was level, and drilled the holes right into the paper. Everything came out level, the frames and pictures look great. Definitely happy with this purchase." —Cristina C Sanchez

Get it from Amazon for $48.37+ (available in four wood finishes).

Promising review: "While hanging shelves and frames and other wall decorations shouldn't be rocket science, I make things more complicated than they should be. Leveling is where I normally falter. With the Hang-O-Matic it becomes an exact science! It's so simple to use! I've hung over 10 items on our walls this past weekend and it was a breeze with this tool. Just measure, put the tape to the wall where you want it, ensure your tape is level, and then push the marker pins in to know where you need to put in your anchors/hooks. When you're doing it solo, this tool is absolutely priceless!" —Shameel Kumar

Get it on Amazon for $13.50.

Promising review: "I love these bottles. They make everything uniform and high-end looking for a fraction of the price. They hold up amazing. I bought another set for my second bathroom." —Cindy

Get it from Amazon for $27.20+ (available with or without the wall mounts).

You can also get it personalized with your family's last name or initials.

Suburban Farmhouse is a Black- and family-owned small business based in New Jersey creating personalized home decor.

Promising review: "I'm in LOVE! 😍😍😍 This piece EXCEEDED my expectations!!! It is absolutely beautiful, and it goes so well with my kitchen! It's functional and gives us extra space. Thank you!" —Lakesha Golden

Get it from Suburban Farmhouse on Etsy for $114.67+ (available in five stain colors and eight styles).

The portrait lights are AAA battery-operated and wireless so no need to fret about installation. It includes a remote so you can set the light to different brightnesses and schedule a timer for 15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes. Please note that some reviewers thought the gold was a little orange.

Promising review: "This light is WAY better than others in the same price category. Very easy install, love the different color settings (warm or cool and full or half light), even has a timer. I am 100% satisfied!" —Birkie

Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I love this product, it looks amazing! You really can't tell it's not real wood once applied. I used it to line the inner drawers and cabinets in my bathroom and so far I haven't had any issues. Very durable, easy to cut to the size you need, and sticks really well after you burnish it down. I am very pleased with the results so far! Will definitely recommend and purchase again when needed." —kara upperstrom

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in six sizes).

Promising review: "I love, love, love this!! SO easy to work with and gorgeous quality. I just adore this product and can't say enough about it." —Stephanie's Stuff

Get it from Amazon for $30.99.

Learn more wallpaper tips on this video on the Nifty Youtube channel.

It works on marble, granite, limestone, travertine, slate, sandstone, grout (for ceramic and porcelain tile), masonry, and concrete — and it won't discolor the surface of the stone even one bit!

Promising review: "Had an oil stain on my untreated West Elm marble top buffet from a kids toy. I purchased the oil stain remover and crossed my fingers that it would work. Followed the directions, waited 72 hrs to let it dry completely, and then scraped it off with a credit card. It worked perfectly! I couldn't be happier with the results. I highly recommend this product!" —parkhaven916

Get a can of it on Amazon for $15.89.

Promising review: "I really wanted a black light fixture for my bathroom remodel, but most of them are high dollar. I found this for half the price of most fixtures and it's perfect! It looks better in person and ties the room together perfectly. I love it! Don't look anywhere else!" —Jayme

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

Quadrostyle is a woman-founded brand from Aussie designer Gabrielle Morabia. With operations based in Bali and an HQ in the south of France, Quadrostyle embraces all corners of the globe and takes inspiration from the traditional tiles found in the Mediterranean, Latin America, and Scandinavia.

Promising review: "It turned out amazing! And completely easy to install. It totally changed our space. We love it!" —jaclynnancekivell

Get it from Quadrostyle on Etsy for $12.82+ (available in six heights and matte or gloss finishes).

Promising review: "This removed the most stubborn watermark on earth! My desk had three very obvious rings from where hot mugs had been left unattended, and despite trying everything that was recommended online, nothing worked to reduce their appearance. This cloth must have some miracle oil in it because it removed the rings when nothing else would, and they haven't come back. Be sure to really rub the cloth over the watermark (it may take some time, but it's worth it!), and save the plastic bag that it comes in just in case you need it again." —Trini

Get them from Amazon for $8.28.

Promising review: "Best solution ever!! I do not have the money for a new vanity right now. Insert DIY project of covering my ugly pink bathroom vanity in marble contact paper. It looks 100% better and it's super durable. It's a little tricky to work with at first and then you get the hang of it. I’m buying more for my half bath. Update: My vanity still looks great a couple of months later! I decided to do my tabletop in my laundry room and it looks great too. Tips: Make sure there is nothing on the surface as bumps will show through with the tiniest of debris. Also, one roll is not enough — always buy more than you think you’ll need!" —Natalie Evans

Get it from Amazon for $7.19+ (available in five sizes).

Promising review: "These are amazing! The real wax surrounding the bulb makes them look and feel pretty authentic — much classier than the plastic stuff I was seeing at the store. The remote works beautifully, and it's nice that you can choose flicker or steady light. I think I'll order another set to use during the winter holidays too! Again, these are much nicer quality than any other electric candles I've seen, and the remote makes managing the lighting super easy." —Amazon Customer

Get the set of nine from Amazon for $23.99.

Promising review: "We do not use our fireplace and we were tired of the bare look. We decided to give the fireplace area a little glam and this piece looks amazing in it. We are using LED tea lights until we purchase some tea light candles in glass holders. The LED lights still look great though, and we LOVE it!" —TM

Get it from Amazon for $79.95+ (available in birch and oak designs).

Promising review: "Love these decals! I’m in a rental space and wanted to spruce things up for the summer without breaking the bank. It took me 20 minutes to do, super easy to stick and smooth out nicely, even on my textured walls. Makes my space so much cozier and is a very budget friendly option, especially for renters. I will say that two of my decals did rip when I was removing them from the paper... cutting the torn pieces off and using on the edge of the wall made for an easy fix. Completely worth the money!!!" –Casey

Get it from Amazon for $11.36 (includes 32 leaves).

Promising review: "These wall panels are so versatile! You can do just about anything with them. They add a major LUXE quality to your home. You really can't go wrong with these!" —Chef Toni Leanne

Get it from Amazon for $189+ (available in 31 colors and two sizes).

This set offers 13 feet of LED lights.

Promising review: "We love this lighting fixture, and the several levels of light and is great as a night-light or to accent your appliances. Just figure our where you want light, place the self sticking pads, and set the lights in. If the string of lights is too long, just snip off where you want it to end. A terrific addition to our kitchen, adding warmth and ambiance to our kitchen counter." —Steve

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in cool white, natural white, or warm white).

Modket in Baldwin Park, California, is a small distributor of cabinet hardware.

Promising review: "The 5" black pulls have enhanced my entire kitchen. My golden oak cabinets no longer look 'dated' but more in-trend and attractive. I have a $7 pull that looks the same. Value-wise this company offers a quality product for less money. Customer service is excellent; team members are responsive and helpful. I am very happy with my choice!" —Janis

Get it from Modket on Etsy for $2.99+ (available in nine sizes).

Promising review: "I bought this to clean up the pitted and cracked shower grout in my apartment. If I owned the place, I'd properly have had it re-grouted and sealed. But for the price, this did the trick and made the shower look sharp and clean. The paint dispenses easily and is pretty simple to apply evenly (and if you screw up, just use a sponge to wipe off where you colored outside the lines). For my situation, it worked." —Beez

Get it from Amazon for $8.09+ (available in a narrow or wide tip).

Organise Life is a small business in Australia that focuses on pantry and home labels.

Promising review: "Perfect for our fridge! Easy to apply, stay on well, and look good." —meredithtexas1

Get it from Organise Life on Etsy for $1.46+ (available in many different fonts and small, medium, and large sizes).

Divider Records (formerly prathermade) is a family-owned small business based in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Owners Brit and Jason Prather specialize in hand-built vinyl record storage and offer a lot of super cool options for record enthusiasts.

Promising review: "I wish there were more than 5 stars to give out! Quality wood; flawless finish. Arrived well-protected with lots of bubble wrap, and included drywall screws to easily hang. I requested shelves a few days earlier than their normal ship time to arrive in time for a birthday celebration, and they came through for me. Very much appreciated!" —Emily Arnold

Get it from Divider Records on Etsy for $68+ (available in four materials and six finishes)

Promising review: "Living in Hawaii, you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt–proof, etc... In total I ordered 11 boxes to complete my yoga deck. I have a few left over to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adazzle

Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $77.99.

Promising review: "We do not have a closet near our front door and needed a simple way to allow guests to hang their coats during a visit. These hooks worked and, because of the white color, are not noticeable when not in use. They even allow me to hang my purse temporarily from time to time. Because we are renting, I am super happy that they can be removed without damage and reused again in the future." —L. K. Lawson

Get a seven-pack from Amazon for $9.89.

Jack, Harry, and Ollie is a woman-owned small business based in Perth, Australia that makes removable wallpaper and decals in-house with water based latex inks which are certified GreenGuard Gold with no harmful toxins.

Promising review: "This is the most beautiful wallpaper! And so easy to apply! The customer service I received was beyond incredible! They went above and beyond to answer all questions I had and to deliver my wall paper as quick as possible! Perfect little addition to our nursery!" —Adele Coutts

Get it from Jack, Harry, and Ollie on Etsy for $99.99 (available in seven sizes and 15 colors).

The NoNo Bracket Company is a small business based in Los Angeles that makes a renter-friendly no drill bracket for window treatments.

Promising review: "This bracket is awesome and was extremely easy to install. We were able to hang curtains over our vertical blinds in just a few minutes and didn't even need any tools. Great product!!!" —Amazon Customer

Get a set of two from The NoNo Bracket Company on Amazon for $14.95 (also available in brown).

Promising review: "I am SO impressed by these. When I first saw velour curtains on Anthropologie I thought, no way! But then found myself looking for the perfect pop of texture in our bedroom and kept getting drawn back to these. The value on these curtains is amazing, they were less than half of what a similar panel would cost elsewhere." —CC

Get them on Amazon for $27.99+ per 84" panel (available in four lengths and 18 colors).

Promising review: "These are perfect. They look great, work exactly like I need them to, and in our apartment, enable us to have reading lamps without a rewiring job since they just plug in. They also came with cute Edison-looking bulbs that fit in the sconce perfectly and match the look of the light very nicely. We're super pleased." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $35.56+ (available in three finishes).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.