Wall color not only sets the tone for your style and decor, but it can also influence your mood and how much you like a space. So what do you do when you move into an
apartment with wall colors you loathe? There are lots of options including painting it, concealing it, and complementing it. And while they all are effective, not every option is right in every scenario. Read on to learn more about these three strategies and determine which one is right for your rental.
Paint It
Painting is the most effective option for covering up ugly walls. Changing dark and muddy walls to something light and fresh can help the whole place feel bigger and brighter; while adding darker colors to stark walls can create depth, coziness, and drama. Paint is the single most transformative thing you can do in a space, but there are some other things to consider.
Many landlords/rental agencies require approval in order to paint. And even if permission is granted, you will likely be required to the paint the walls back before moving out. Painting can also be disruptive to your home and a mess to deal with. Be sure carpets/flooring are protected to avoid spills and splatters (and therefore extra charges upon move out!). Finally, paint is one of the more economic ways to update your walls, but it’s not free. Depending on how big of a paint job you are undertaking, it can cost a few hundred dollars. Be sure you add up the cost for paint and supplies (and double it if you have to repaint before moving out) before jumping in.
Try it if…
Your landlord or rental agency allows painting
You don’t mind the cost and labor of painting (and painting back before moving out)
There is no other easy or cost-effective way to make the wall color work with your belongings
You want or need a dramatic change
The wall color is simply too unbearable
You want to change a lot of walls
Paint isn’t the only option for making your unit feel brighter. Try
these suggestions for adding more light to your rental!
Cover It
Although paint is often the quickest and most effective way to cover ugly walls, it’s not always practical or feasible. Whether you’re not allowed to paint, not up for the hassle, or it’s just too big of an undertaking, there are other ways to deal with unsightly walls. From decals and removable wallpaper, to affordable art and temporary wall treatments, the options are endless.
Peel-and-stick wallpapers are an ideal solution if you want to cover up walls in a truly temporary and removable way. However, they can be really expensive for an entire room or entire rental, so you may want to consider just wallpapering a feature wall, using decals to give the appearance of wallpaper, or using something less expensive (like wrapping paper or fabric) instead. Also consider art. Collections of frames and/or oversized art can not only cover up ugly walls, but give your eyes something prettier to look at!
Try it if…
You’re not allowed or don’t want to paint
Cost isn’t an issue
You want pattern or interest on your walls
The wall color is a decent neutral base for something else (i.e., decals, art)
You only want/need to cover small or parts of walls to make an improvement
No budget for expensive art? Try these
12 DIY art projects to fill up your empty walls!
[tweetthis]Don’t Like The Color Of Your #Walls In Your #Rental? Use These 3 Strategies For Your Ugly Wall![/tweetthis]
Complement It
Your final option for dealing with wall color is to embrace it by complementing it with other things. Oftentimes, a wall color doesn’t work because it fiercely fights against other furnishings in the room. So…if you can’t change the wall color, try changing out some other items to make it work.
Move items around your rental (if you have different wall colors to work with) to see if they work better in other rooms. Considering removing large-scale items that really fight with the wall color (e.g., beds, rugs, couches, chairs) or covering them with slipcovers or new fabric. Finally, sometimes just bringing in new items such as rugs, art, and throw pillows that better complement the wall color can help it and your current belongings play more nicely together.
Try it if…
Covering the walls with paint or other temporary options are off the table
You don’t own a lot of furnishings
You own neutral large-scale items that can work with a variety of colors
You have the budget to buy new items for your rental
You have a good eye for balancing colors
While wall color may not seem like a big deal, there are few other elements in your rental that can affect its mood, style, and brightness more. If the walls are preventing you from loving your rental, change them. Paint is certainly the most effective solution, but don’t overlook the power of temporary wall treatments, swapping out furnishings, or even
creating a DIY statement wall to help the walls feel more intentional. With a little bit of effort, time, and money, you can transform the walls into something you love.
