Your New York City apartment may not have all the bells and whistles, and this is where your creativity comes in. With the rise of DIY projects (do-it-yourself) taking over the internet, it may be tempting to follow the latest online trends. However, most landlords do not allow renovations, large-scale projects, or anything that damages their property. Before you start hot gluing feathers and sequins to your windowsill, consider some renter-friendly DIY projects.
First, Develop A Strong Relationship
Want to renovate your rental apartment without upsetting your landlord? To have the best of both worlds, you should develop a good relationship with your landlord in order to build the level of trust that will allow you the flexibility to change your apartment’s décor. One of the best ways to do this is to be reliable. Always pay your rent on time, and communicate about issues in the apartment before they become an emergency. Are the faucets leaking? Does the toilet sound strange? Are there a few bugs here and there? Tell your landlord. A calm and courteous heads-up gives them time to plan for the labor and expense of repairs, and they’ll be grateful that you are looking after their property.
Discuss any upgrades you plan to make with them in advance. Don’t let them walk in to find shocking purple walls and a newly decoupaged built in—no matter how awesome you may think it looks. Your landlord will have clear grounds for taking funds out of your security deposit, especially when the lease prevents upgrades.
Here are some fairly quick and inexpensive ways to upgrade your apartment without feeling the wrath of your landlord.
Indulge in Small Scale DIY Projects
Take time to look around your space. Before you get to work, consider if you can remove the project at the end of your lease. If the answer is no, it may be best to leave the project to the experts online.
For example, many apartments have unsightly lighting fixtures that can come off of the ceiling. In its place, you can put a more decorative fixture, drape heat-resistant cloth, or use faux stained glass and jars. Make sure to research any materials and ensure they can stand exposure to direct light. Additionally, store the item you remove, and its hardware, in a safe and organized location. You’ll need to reassemble the original lighting fixture at the end of your lease.
Change Your Showerhead
Standard showerheads may not provide an adequate stream of water and leave renters feeling frustrated. Changing shower heads is an easy and inexpensive process. For $19.99+ at your local hardware store, you can make your shower a much more relaxing experience. Hang onto the original showerhead though as it can easily be replaced when you move, and you can take your more luxurious shower head to your next apartment.
Add Curtains and Drapes
Nothing says rental like white (often tattered) mini-blinds. Installing a curtain rod is not a major endeavor. With just the most basic tools (even those $5 starter kits at IKEA will work) and a $2 box of screws and anchors, you’ll be all set. Curtains are a great way to bring color and rich texture into your apartment. They are also an effective source of insulation for older apartment windows that are often thin and drafty.
There are treasure troves of DIY projects and inspiration to help spark your creativity online. Once you decide on a project though remember to communicate a conscientious plan to your landlord. Start with a small project—build a herb garden for your window, add a full length mirror to the back of a door, introduce festive and functional lighting to your closet, or paint a small and unexpected space like the inside of your cabinets. Your success will help build your landlord’s confidence in your ability to perform home improvement projects and open the door for even more exciting renovations!
Editor’s Note: We updated this article to enhance readability. Article by Danielle Hegedus via Modernize.
