How to Cover Ugly Walls in a Rental

Co-authored by Priscilla Bettencourt

Last Updated: September 10, 2022

Having ugly walls in your home can be a downer, especially if it’s a rental and you can’t repaint or remodel them. But have no fear! There are plenty of things you can do to cover up walls without damaging them.

Here are 10 easy ways to cover up ugly walls in a rental.

1

Put up peel-and-stick wallpaper.

Temporary wallpaper is an easy solution that makes a big impact. It’s really simple to put up. You just peel off the backing to expose the adhesive and stick it to your wall. Whenever you want to remove it, you can simply peel it off.^{[1]
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- You can find temporary wallpaper at your local home improvement store. They usually cost about $60-$90 USD per roll. You can also order some online.
- Temporary wallpaper comes in a variety of colors and designs you can choose from.
- You could also use wrapping paper or decorative scrapbook paper for a cheaper temporary wallpaper option. Take strips of double-sided tape and stick them to the back of the paper. Then, stick the paper onto the wall and smooth it out with your hands so there aren’t bubbles.^{[2]
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2

Make a decorative wall cover with foam boards.

This solution is both fun and practical. Connect large sheets of foam board with glue or tape so you have one large board that's just a tad bigger than the size of your wall (so it fits snugly). Cover the board with fabric or wallpaper, then wedge it up against the wall so the whole wall is covered. No nails or adhesives required!^{[3]
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- Use tacks to display notes, prints, drawings, and photos on the board.

3

Add easy-to-remove stripes on your wall with washi.

Decorating with washi tape gives you total control over the finished look. This popular Japanese masking tape doesn't leave behind a sticky residue. It comes in a variety of widths, colors, and designs. Peel off the tape and create vertical, horizontal, or diagonal stripes on your wall to make a pattern that’s easy to remove.^{[4]
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- Look for Washi at your local home improvement store. You can also order it online.
- Use a ruler or tape measure to make sure your stripes are evenly spaced apart.

4

Apply wall decals.

Wall decals come in all kinds of designs and are easy to remove. You can find decals of movie, TV, and video game characters, fine art pieces, inspirational quotes, simple patterns, and more. Just remove the paper backing to expose the adhesive and apply the decal carefully and slowly to your wall. Use your hands to smooth out any air bubbles. Whenever you want to remove the decal, simply peel it off!^{[5]
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- You may be able to find wall decals at your local home decor store, but you can also order them online.
- Check the decal’s dimensions and measure your wall with a ruler or tape measure to make sure it’ll fit before you buy it.

5

Hang up a large piece of fabric.

Use this renter-friendly fix to cover a blank wall. Choose your favorite print fabric. It could be a tapestry, patterned rug, window treatment, or even a shower curtain. Use tacks or adhesive tape to hang it up and cover a wall.^{[6]
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- Look for print fabrics at your local home improvement or home decor store. You can also order them online.
- You may be able to find some cool fabrics at your local thrift store.

6

Put up posters of your favorite bands, movies, or artwork.

Spruce up ugly walls with some of your favorites. Look for posters at your local department store or music supply store. Choose ones that suit your personality or work with a theme. For instance, if you’re looking to create a vintage look, you could put up posters of pin-ups and Army recruiting posters. Use thumbtacks or double-sided tape to put up the posters on your walls so they don’t leave any lasting damage.^{[7]
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7

Hang a big mirror to make the room feel larger.

Mirrors bring light into a room and open up the space. Get yourself a nice, big mirror. You can find one with decorative borders or in a fun shape. Use a hammer to drive a nail into your wall. Then, hang your mirror from the nail and you’re all set.^{[8]
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- Look for mirrors at your local home improvement store. You can also order them online.
- Thrift shops may have some cheap and interesting mirrors you can put up.
- For heavy mirrors, you’ll need to locate a wall stud and use an anchor so the mirror is secure.

8

Create a gallery with prints, framed photos, and posters.

Making a gallery wall is an easy, eye-catching way to cover an ugly surface. You can use photographs, prints of your favorite artwork, posters, or even clippings from magazines. Arrange everything in an interesting layout on the wall and secure each piece with double-sided tape or adhesive hooks.^{[9]
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9

Place large artwork on top of furniture to avoid nail holes.

You can cover your walls with large artwork without needing to use nails. Use large framed artwork or photos so they take up more space. Place them on top of furniture such as dressers and bookshelves to help cover the walls without adding any nail holes or other surface damage.^{[10]
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- Lean the frames back against the wall so they won’t tip over.

10

Hang macramé on your walls to add a splash of color.

Use the classic hand-knotted art to add some flair. Macramé is a textile that’s made by using knotting instead of weaving or knitting. They create a cascading effect and come in a variety of colors. Choose a macramé design that you like and use a hammer to drive nails into the corners to hang it up on your wall.^{[11]
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- You may be able to find macramé at your local home decor store, but you’ll have more options to choose from online.

Warnings

Check with your landlord or your renter’s agreement before you nail or screw anything into your walls to make sure it’s okay.

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