There’s no doubt that AA Real Estate is one of the best realty agencies in New York. Not only are these real estate experts always there to assist you whenever you’re wondering “where to find an NYC house for sale?” but this team is also there to support you when you’re looking for apartments for rent in the area! Other than helping you find your dream home and wrap up the paperwork, AA Real Estate is there to offer useful tips and tricks on how to organize and decorate the space.

Having said that, it’s a known fact that living in a rental, while being more affordable, brings some challenges along the way. One of the main “problems” is decorating a rental house or condo without breaking some ground rules such as changing the color of the walls or making the holes to hang some pictures. Of course, some landlords may allow it. Still, more often than not, it’s forbidden to make any permanent change inside the property.

So, if you’re bored with your NYC apartment rental design and you want to make some adjustments, here’s the ultimate list of decor tricks that are renter-friendly!

1. Removable Wallpaper or Wall Decals

Do you wish to change the walls in your home but you’re not allowed to paint them? Or do you simply want to add a fun accent wall, and aren’t sure what to use? Removable wallpapers are a fantastic way of elevating the space and adding some color or pattern without having to paint the walls. They are super easy to put up, and once you need to take them down, the walls won’t be damaged. 

Also, if you prefer a more minimalistic approach or something even easier to apply, wall decals are a fun and creative way of adding a couple of interesting patterns here and there through the entire condo/house. Whichever way you choose to go, the walls will stay clean and damage-free once you want to move out.

2. Wood Plank Wall with Wall Safe Mounting Tape

Another way of sprucing up the walls in your New York City rental apartments is to attach wood planks, but with mounting stripes that are safe for walls. You can find them in any arts and crafts supply store. All you need to do is cut the thin wood any way you want, and install them onto the wall with the right amount of mounting tape. Using lightweight wood plank pieces is the safest way to ensure that the tape will hold them in their place until you decide to take them down.

3. Gallery Wall

Your nearest real estate firm in Midtown Manhattan loves to play around with gallery walls. Whether you choose to frame your family photos or artwork, displaying your favorite pictures can be both stylish and emotionally fulfilling. Purchase lightweight frames in different sizes and shapes, and play around with the layout on the wall you choose. By the way, you can use the wall safe mounting tape here, as well!

4. Add Rugs (Even Over Carpeting!)

The fastest way to upscale any space is to add a cozy, fluffy area rug. If you dislike the floor inside your home, but you can’t do anything to change them, choose a larger rug that will cover the majority of the floor. Don’t be afraid to purchase multiple rugs and layer them. You can do a cute pattern design with multiple rugs, and even layer the rug over the carpet that’s too dull.

5. Experiment with the Positioning of the Furniture

Sometimes the most obvious and inexpensive changes can make the entire place seem different. One of them is changing the floor plan of your property. Try to switch the places of the furniture until you like the layout. Make sure, however, to leave enough space for walking and avoid placing all of the furniture along the walls – don’t be afraid to place it in the middle of the room if it looks good.

6. Add Cute Shelves

Interesting shelving can add a lot of depth and decor space into the apartment or house. Since floating shelves are often out of the question in rental spaces, a nice way of creating that flowy feeling is by choosing the backless bookshelves. These will look stylish, and you can decorate them however you want – with plants, crystals, books, artwork, etc.

7. Change the Curtains or Add Window Film

Colorful, fun curtains can make your Central Park condo for rent much more chic and trendy! New York is a place bustling with artists and creative people. Why not make your rental apartment near NYU an inspiring, safe haven that you’ll enjoy. Curtains can be not only a creative outlet (if you decide to try out some fun DIY design hacks), but they also offer much-needed privacy. 

However, if your condo doesn’t have the curtain rails and you don’t want to damage the walls, you can always add window film that will protect your personal life from the outside world. There is a variety of choices of the market, from frosted glass to reflective and tinted window foils. What’s even better is that you’ll be able to apply them very quickly and with only water.

8. Create DIY Artwork

Whether you choose to display it on the gallery wall, or in any other way, “do it yourself” art is the best way to kill some time while doing something you enjoy. Let your creative juices flow and create something personal and fun. From paintings to sculptures and even upcycled furniture, your Manhattan or Brooklyn rental property will look much better and more welcoming with an art piece you made.

9. Contact Paper – Renters’ Best Friend!

The idea of using contact paper for your countertops or other pieces of furniture is not only an excellent way to protect the surface but also an opportunity to choose a design that’s trendy and suits your taste and style. Decide which color or pattern will go well with the rest of the apartment and apply the contact paper in a matter of minutes. You’ll enjoy the change until you want to replace it, or until it’s damaged. Then you’ll be able to remove it equally quickly and reapply it in another color/design.

10. Statement Cushions

Are you tired of the gray old sofa or chair, but you’re on a budget and don’t have enough money to buy new furniture or replace the material of the existing one? You can actually upgrade it by using fun cushions! Choose colorful materials and patterns and layer different textures until you reach the result you’re happy with. You can even make the cushion covers by yourself and make it more personal.

11. Add Lamps and Fairy Lights

If there’s something that AA Real Estate agents in NYC are sure about, it would be the power that lightning has on changing the appearance of the entire property. Not only will the placement of the lamps, fairy or fluorescent lights make an enormous difference, but the color of the bulbs will also add a new feel to the overall design. Go with warm or cool white light, add some colorful bulbs for your bedroom, install lamps with different light modes, or anything else you prefer. There are plenty of options; you just need to be creative.

12. Invest in Good-Quality Mirrors

The last tip that your “real estate company close to me” leaves you with is to add mirrors wherever you can/want, especially if the place you’re renting is small. High-quality, study mirrors with lux frames will elevate the value of your condo while visually making the space larger. You probably won’t be able to hang the mirrors since it will create the holes in the walls, and using the mounting tapes can be risky considering the weight. However, you can lean them against the wall and achieve that effortless yet trendy look typical for all New Yorkers! 

AA Real Estate office nearby hopes that these tips and tricks are helpful and that you’ll enjoy implementing them inside your rental property in 

• Queens
• Brooklyn
• the Bronx
• Manhattan

Should you need any assistance with renting, buying, or selling a townhouse, penthouse or apartment in New York City, give the best realty company in the vicinity a call and you’ll find your dream home in no time!