25 Rental Decorating Ideas That Look Expensive

Living in a rental can sometimes feel like a design compromise. But creating a space that looks sophisticated, curated, and expensive does not require a huge budget or permanent renovations.

The secret to a high-end look lies in smart choices, strategic upgrades, and attention to detail. It is about creating the illusion of luxury with clever, temporary, and budget-friendly hacks.

This guide is your roadmap to elevating your rental. Here are 25 decorating ideas that will make your space look incredibly expensive, all without risking your security deposit.

Walls & Windows

1. Use High-End Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

The right wallpaper can make a room look like it was designed by a professional. Choose a sophisticated pattern like a grasscloth texture or a subtle, large-scale mural.

Pro Tips:

• Choose a wallpaper with a textural look, like faux grasscloth or linen, which always looks more expensive than a flat print.
• Apply it to an accent wall, like the wall behind your bed or sofa, to create a dramatic, high-impact focal point.
• Use it in a small space, like a powder room or an entryway, for a full-room transformation that feels like a jewel box.
• Line the back of a plain bookshelf with a sophisticated, patterned wallpaper for a custom, built-in look.
• Select a mature, large-scale floral or a subtle mural to create a sense of bespoke art.
• Always order a sample first to ensure the quality and color look high-end in your home’s lighting.
• A meticulous, bubble-free application is key to making it look like real wallpaper.
• Choose a high-quality, reputable brand that offers a thick, fabric-like feel.
• This is the single most transformative hack for making a bland room look luxurious.
• When you move, it peels off, leaving no trace of your high-end design.

2. Hang Oversized, Statement Art

A single, massive piece of art looks far more intentional and expensive than a gallery wall of many small frames. It commands attention and acts as a powerful anchor for the room.

Pro Tips:

• Instead of buying a huge, expensive piece, you can create your own by stretching a beautiful piece of fabric or even a stylish shower curtain over a large wooden frame.
• Lean a very large, framed piece of art against a wall instead of hanging it. This is a very chic, effortless, and gallery-inspired look.
• Choose abstract art with a sophisticated color palette that ties your whole room together.
• A large-scale, black and white photograph always looks timeless and high-end.
• The frame is just as important as the art. A simple, thin metal or natural wood frame looks more expensive than a cheap, plastic one.
• This is a great way to fill a large, empty wall and make a huge impact.
• It creates a clear focal point and makes the rest of your decor feel more purposeful.
• It can make a room with high ceilings feel more balanced and proportional.
• This is an investment piece that you can take with you to every home you live in.
• It signals a confident and curated design sense.

3. Hang Curtains High and Wide

This is a classic interior designer trick that instantly makes a room look taller, grander, and more expensive. It is all about fooling the eye.

Pro Tips:

• Mount your curtain rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame.
• Extend the rod 6 to 10 inches wider than the window frame on each side.
• This tricks the eye into thinking the window is much larger than it actually is.
• Use long curtain panels that just “kiss” the floor. Curtains that are too short look cheap.
• Choose curtains made from a quality-looking fabric, like a linen-blend or a soft velvet.
• Use curtain rings and hooks instead of a rod pocket. This allows the curtains to drape more elegantly.
• A simple, solid-colored curtain in a neutral shade often looks more sophisticated than a busy pattern.
• This is a very affordable change that has a huge architectural impact.
• It adds a layer of softness and sophistication to any room.
• Always iron or steam your curtains before hanging them. Wrinkles look cheap.

4. Use a Large, Elegant Mirror

A large mirror, much like large art, can be a transformative piece. It adds light, depth, and a touch of glamour to any space.

Pro Tips:

• Lean a full-length floor mirror with an ornate, vintage-style gold frame against a wall for a touch of Parisian chic.
• For a modern look, choose a mirror with a simple, thin, matte black metal frame.
• Placing a large mirror opposite a window is the best way to double the amount of natural light in the room.
• A large mirror can make a small entryway or a narrow hallway feel significantly more spacious.
• It acts as a piece of “moving art” by reflecting the life and light of the room.
• Hang a large, round mirror over a console table or a dresser to create a beautiful vignette.
• Look for a mirror on secondhand marketplaces. You can often find beautiful, high-quality vintage mirrors for a great price.
• A mirror with an interesting shape, like an arch or an abstract form, can act as a sculptural piece.
• This is a temporary addition that adds a feeling of permanence and architectural detail.
• A clean, streak-free mirror always looks more expensive.

5. DIY Picture Frame Moulding

This is a slightly more advanced DIY, but it is the ultimate hack for making a plain, boxy rental look like a custom, high-end home with architectural character.

Pro Tips:

• Use lightweight, pre-primed picture frame moulding from a hardware store.
• Plan out your design on the wall with painter’s tape first to create balanced, rectangular boxes.
• Use a miter box or a miter saw to cut the corners of your moulding at a perfect 45-degree angle.
• Paint the moulding the exact same color as your wall for a very chic, tone-on-tone, architectural look.
• Attach the lightweight moulding to the wall using small strips of strong, removable Command adhesive. No nails needed.
• This technique adds a huge amount of perceived value and character to a room.
• It is a classic design feature found in expensive, traditional homes.
• When it is time to move, you can gently pry the moulding off the wall and remove the adhesive strips.
• This is a project that requires precision, but the result is absolutely stunning.
• It instantly makes a boring “white box” rental look incredibly sophisticated.

Lighting That Looks Luxurious

6. Swap Out the Main Light Fixture

Getting rid of the standard-issue, ugly “boob light” is the number one way to upgrade a rental. Replacing it with a stylish chandelier or pendant light makes a massive difference.

Pro Tips:

• Crucial: Always get written permission from your landlord before doing any electrical work.
• If you are not 100% comfortable, hire a professional electrician. Always turn off the power at the breaker box first.
• Carefully remove the old fixture and store it, along with all its parts, in a clearly labeled box.
• Choose a new fixture that is a statement piece, like a modern sputnik chandelier or a woven rattan pendant.
• This instantly makes the room feel more designed and intentional.
• Keep the original fixture’s hardware in a ziplock bag taped to the fixture itself so you do not lose anything.
• Before you move out, you must carefully reinstall the original light fixture exactly as you found it.
• This is a completely reversible hack that has a huge impact on the ambiance of a room.
• A beautiful light fixture is an investment you can take with you to your next home.
• It is the “jewelry” of the room.

7. Use Stylish Plug-In Wall Sconces

Plug-in sconces give you the custom, layered look of hardwired lighting without the need for an electrician.

Pro Tips:

• Use a pair of elegant, swing-arm sconces to flank your bed for a hotel-like, luxurious feel.
• This frees up valuable space on your nightstands for books and other items.
• Use a paintable cord cover that sticks to the wall to completely hide the cord, making it look hardwired.
• This adds a much-needed secondary layer of lighting to a room.
• Choose sconces in a sophisticated finish like aged brass or matte black.
• They are a perfect way to create a dedicated, well-lit reading nook next to an armchair.
• This is a major style upgrade that you can easily install yourself.
• When you move, you just unscrew the sconce from the wall, patch two tiny holes, and take it with you.
• It is a perfect example of adding a layer of luxury to a rental.
• Look for models with a dimmer switch for ultimate mood control.

8. Add a Statement Floor Lamp

A beautiful, sculptural floor lamp can act as a piece of functional art in your living room. It adds both light and a strong design element.

Pro Tips:

• An oversized arc floor lamp is a classic mid-century modern piece that looks incredibly chic swooping over a sofa.
• Choose a lamp with a unique shape or made from high-quality materials like marble or brass.
• This is a key element in creating a layered lighting scheme, which is a hallmark of good interior design.
• A statement lamp can anchor a corner of a room and make it feel more purposeful.
• Even if the lamp is affordable, one with a simple, classic linen drum shade will always look more expensive than one with a cheap, plastic-y shade.
• Use a smart bulb so you can dim the light and create a cozy, expensive-feeling ambiance.
• It is a completely portable piece of decor that you will own for years.
• It provides light at a human, conversational level, which is much more pleasant than harsh overhead lighting.
• Look for a lamp that has a beautiful design, even when it is turned off.
• It is an investment in both function and style.

9. Install Dimmers Everywhere

The ability to control the intensity of your lighting is a true luxury. Bright light is for tasks, but soft, dim light is for relaxing and entertaining.

Pro Tips:

• The easiest, renter-friendly way to do this is to use smart bulbs in all of your lamps and fixtures.
• Smart bulbs, like Philips Hue, can be controlled from your phone or a smart home device, allowing you to dim them to any level.
• You can also buy simple plug-in dimmer modules for your table and floor lamps.
• Creating a soft, ambient glow in the evening instantly makes a space feel more expensive, intimate, and relaxing.
• Harsh, full-blast lighting is one of the biggest giveaways of an un-designed space.
• This is a very affordable hack that has a huge impact on the mood of your home.
• You can set “scenes” with your smart bulbs, like a “Movie Night” scene or a “Dinner Party” scene.
• This is a small change that will dramatically improve your quality of life in your rental.
• When you move, you just unscrew your smart bulbs and take them with you.
• Dim lighting is always more flattering to both people and interiors.

10. Use Under-Cabinet Lighting

A well-lit kitchen counter is a feature of high-end kitchens. You can easily and affordably replicate this look with stick-on, battery-powered LED light strips.

Pro Tips:

• Stick the thin LED strips to the underside of your upper kitchen cabinets.
• This provides excellent task lighting for cooking and makes your kitchen feel much brighter and more functional.
• The indirect glow also creates a beautiful, ambient light in the evening.
• This is one of the single most impactful upgrades you can make to a standard rental kitchen.
• Look for light strips that have a warm white color temperature for the most flattering kitchen glow.
• Many models come with a small remote control to turn them on and off and even dim them.
• They are incredibly easy to install and can be removed without causing any damage.
• This simple hack makes your kitchen look significantly more expensive and custom-designed.
• It also highlights your backsplash material.
• Choose rechargeable options to be more eco-friendly.

Furniture & Surfaces

11. Upgrade Your Cabinet Hardware

This is a classic for a reason. Swapping out the generic, builder-grade knobs and pulls on your kitchen and bathroom cabinets is a five-minute task that makes a massive impact.

Pro Tips:

• Unscrew an existing pull and take it with you to the hardware store to ensure you buy new hardware with the exact same screw spacing.
• Choose hardware that feels heavy and solid. Finishes like unlacquered brass, matte black, or even leather pulls look very high-end.
• Crucial: Place all the original hardware and screws in a labeled ziplock bag and store it somewhere safe.
• This small detail can make cheap, basic cabinets look like expensive, custom ones.
• It is a completely reversible upgrade that instantly elevates the entire room.
• Before you move out, simply take a few minutes to screw the original hardware back on.
• You get to take your beautiful, new hardware with you to your next rental.
• This is an affordable investment in your daily enjoyment of your space.
• Coordinate your new hardware with your faucet or light fixtures for a cohesive look.
• This is a small detail that packs a huge design punch.

12. Use Faux Marble or Soapstone Contact Paper

If you have ugly laminate countertops, modern, high-quality removable contact paper can be a miraculous and affordable way to get a high-end stone look.

Pro Tips:

• Choose a contact paper with a realistic, high-resolution print and a subtle, matte finish. Glossy finishes often look cheap.
• This project requires patience. Watch online tutorials, work slowly, and use a squeegee to smooth out air bubbles.
• A “waterfall” edge, where you continue the paper down the side of the countertop, looks very custom and expensive.
• Use a very sharp craft knife for clean, precise cuts around your sink.
• This is a cosmetic fix, so always use cutting boards and hot pads to protect the surface.
• This can completely transform a dated kitchen for a very small price.
• Most high-quality contact papers will remove cleanly with the help of a little heat from a hairdryer.
• Always test a small, inconspicuous area first.
• This is one of the most dramatic rental upgrades you can do.
• It gives you the look of a multi-thousand dollar countertop renovation for less than $100.

13. A Well-Fitting Slipcover

A custom-looking slipcover can completely transform a secondhand or dated sofa, making it look like a chic, expensive linen couch.

Pro Tips:

• Avoid cheap, stretchy, ill-fitting slipcovers. They often look worse than the original sofa.
• Look for companies that make semi-custom slipcovers for popular furniture models, like those from IKEA.
• Choose a slipcover in a high-quality, natural-looking fabric like a linen-blend or a heavy cotton canvas.
• A neutral color, like a soft white, a natural flax, or a light gray, will always look sophisticated and high-end.
• A well-fitting slipcover should be taut and tailored, not baggy or sloppy.
• This is a great way to get a light-colored sofa without the fear of stains, as you can simply wash the slipcover.
• It can instantly unify mismatched living room furniture.
• This is a fantastic way to hide ugly patterns or damaged upholstery on a free or secondhand sofa.
• A slipcover can completely change the style of a sofa, from traditional to modern.
• It is a significant investment that you can take with you if you move and have a similarly sized sofa.

14. Style Your Bookshelves Intentionally

Bookshelves in a high-end home are not just for storage; they are carefully curated displays. You can achieve this look for free.

Pro Tips:

• First, take everything off your shelves.
• Only put back about two-thirds of your books. Negative space is a luxury.
• Vary the orientation of your books. Stack some vertically and some horizontally.
• Use a stack of horizontal books as a pedestal for a beautiful decorative object.
• Group books by color for a bold, graphic, and art-like statement.
• Intersperse your books with a few meaningful and sculptural objects, like a vase, a bowl, or a small piece of art.
• Follow the “rule of three,” grouping objects in odd numbers.
• Stick to a cohesive color palette with your decorative objects.
• Hide less attractive paperbacks or clutter in stylish, matching storage boxes on the shelves.
• A curated bookshelf looks incredibly intentional, sophisticated, and personal.

15. Get a Large, Quality Cutting Board

In the kitchen, a large, thick, beautiful wooden cutting board can be a permanent countertop feature that adds warmth, texture, and a high-end, chef’s kitchen feel.

Pro Tips:

• Choose a large, thick-end grain or edge-grain cutting board made from a beautiful wood like walnut or acacia.
• Instead of hiding it away, leave it out on your counter, leaning against the backsplash.
• This serves as a beautiful, rustic decorative element.
• It also protects your rental countertop from damage.
• A large cutting board provides a wonderful, stable surface for all your food prep.
• It adds a warm, organic element to a kitchen that might have cold, sterile surfaces.
• You can also use it as a serving board for a beautiful cheese and charcuterie spread.
• Keep the wood conditioned with a food-safe mineral oil to keep it from drying out.
• This is a functional item that doubles as a major piece of decor.
• It instantly makes a rental kitchen feel more gourmet and lived-in.

Kitchen & Bath Upgrades

16. Frame Your Bathroom Mirror

Most rentals come with a plain, builder-grade plate glass mirror glued to the wall. Adding a custom frame around it is a classic designer hack that makes it look expensive.

Pro Tips:

• You can buy special kits online that are designed specifically for framing existing mirrors.
• Alternatively, you can DIY a frame using lightweight wood trim from a hardware store.
• Cut the trim to size with 45-degree angles at the corners using a miter box.
• Paint or stain the frame to match your vanity or other fixtures.
• Attach the lightweight frame directly to the surface of the mirror using a strong, double-sided adhesive tape.
• This instantly makes the bathroom look more finished, polished, and custom.
• It is a huge upgrade that costs very little.
• Choose a frame style that complements your overall bathroom decor.
• When you move, you can carefully pry the frame off the mirror.
• This is a brilliant way to hide any de-silvering or black edges on an old rental mirror.

17. Upgrade Your Faucet

Just like cabinet hardware, swapping out a basic, generic kitchen or bathroom faucet for a more stylish, modern one can make a huge impact.

Pro tips:

• Crucial: Get your landlord’s permission first and make sure you are comfortable with basic plumbing, or hire a professional.
• A new faucet with a high arc in a finish like matte black or brushed gold can completely change the look of your sink area.
• This is an upgrade you will appreciate every single time you use it.
• Most importantly: Keep the original faucet and all its parts in a clearly labeled box under the sink.
• This is a completely reversible upgrade that you can take with you to your next home.
• It is an investment in your own daily experience that makes your rental feel more luxurious.
• Look for a faucet with modern features, like a pull-down sprayer for the kitchen.
• This is a detail that instantly makes a kitchen or bathroom feel more high-end.
• Before you move out, you must reinstall the original faucet.
• It is a bit more involved than swapping hardware, but the payoff is huge.

18. Use a High-Quality Fabric Shower Curtain

A flimsy, cheap plastic shower curtain can bring down the look of an entire bathroom. Upgrading to a beautiful fabric one is a simple and powerful hack.

Pro Tips:

• Choose a shower curtain made from a nice, heavy fabric like a linen blend or a thick cotton waffle weave.
• Opt for an extra-long shower curtain (at least 84 inches).
• Hang the curtain from a tension rod placed as high up near the ceiling as possible.
• This technique draws the eye upward and makes a small rental bathroom feel much taller and more grand.
• Use a high-quality, weighted, mildew-resistant fabric liner to protect your decorative curtain.
• Choose a sophisticated, simple pattern or a solid, neutral color for a timeless, spa-like feel.
• This is a very easy way to add color, pattern, and softness to a bathroom.
• Coordinate the curtain with a plush new bath mat and some fluffy towels.
• This is an affordable upgrade that makes the room feel much more luxurious.
• The shower curtain acts as a huge piece of art in a small bathroom, so choose one you love.

19. Decant Your Soaps and Lotions

Get rid of the mismatched, branded plastic bottles of soap and lotion on your countertops. Decanting them into beautiful, uniform dispensers is a small change with a huge impact.

Pro Tips:

• Buy a set of beautiful glass or ceramic soap dispensers with stylish pumps.
• You can find beautiful options in finishes like amber glass, matte ceramic, or clear glass with metal pumps.
• This instantly makes your kitchen and bathroom countertops look incredibly chic, organized, and uncluttered.
• It creates a cohesive, spa-like or hotel-like feeling.
• You can buy your hand soap and dish soap in large, eco-friendly refill pouches, which is often more cost-effective in the long run.
• This is a very small, affordable detail that makes your space look much more expensive and thoughtfully designed.
• Use waterproof, minimalist labels to identify the contents of each dispenser.
• Place your dispensers on a small, stylish tray next to the sink.
• This simple act of visual consolidation is incredibly powerful.
• It is a little touch of everyday luxury that you will appreciate every time you wash your hands.

20. Add Stylish Kitchen and Bath Accessories

Elevate your rental kitchen and bathroom with a few beautiful, functional accessories. It is about upgrading the everyday items.

Pro Tips:

• In the kitchen, get a beautiful pepper mill, a stylish salt cellar, and an attractive olive oil cruet. Leave these out on the counter.
• Use a beautiful ceramic utensil crock next to your stove to hold your wooden spoons and spatulas.
• Get a set of matching, high-quality, plush bath towels in a sophisticated color like white or charcoal gray.
• A stylish, modern toilet paper holder or a small, chic trash can can make a surprising difference.
• Use a beautiful wooden or marble tray in the bathroom to corral your perfumes and skincare products.
• Even a simple, beautiful soap dish can make your bathroom feel more elegant.
• These are the small details that make a space feel less generic and more like your own curated home.
• Invest in items that you will use and enjoy every day.
• These are all things you can easily take with you to your next home.
• It is about turning the mundane into something beautiful.

Finishing Touches

21. Curate Your Decorative Objects

The secret to an expensive look is to be selective. Instead of lots of small, cheap trinkets, focus on a few larger, more sculptural decorative objects.

Pro Tips:

• One large, interesting vase or a beautiful wooden bowl on a coffee table looks more intentional than a dozen small items.
• Think about shape and texture. Look for objects with a unique, sculptural quality.
• Group smaller items together on a tray to give them more presence.
• “Shop” your own home first. Sometimes a beautiful pitcher or a stack of books can be a great decorative object.
• This “less is more” approach feels more confident and curated.
• Visit thrift stores and flea markets to find unique, one-of-a-kind objects with history and character.
• Stick to a cohesive color palette with your decor items to make them feel connected.
• It is better to have a few empty surfaces than to have every surface covered in clutter.
• A few well-chosen objects can tell a story and reflect your personal taste.
• This is a key principle of high-end interior design.

22. Focus on Large Plants

A single, large, statement floor plant will make a much bigger and more expensive-looking impact than a collection of many tiny plants.

Pro Tips:

• A tall fiddle leaf fig, a bird of paradise, or a large monstera plant can be the living sculpture that anchors an entire room.
• Invest in a beautiful, large planter to go with your statement plant. A simple ceramic or fiberglass pot looks great.
• Placing a large plant in an empty corner can make the room feel lusher and more alive.
• Large plants draw the eye upward, making a room feel taller.
• While they can be an investment, a well-cared-for plant will last for years and can move with you.
• Look on local online marketplaces for people selling their large, mature houseplants when they move.
• A large plant is a sign of a stable, well-tended home.
• It adds a beautiful, organic, and architectural element to your space.
• Make sure you choose a plant that is appropriate for the light conditions in your rental.
• It is a piece of living art that will make your rental feel like a home.

23. Invest in Quality Textiles

One beautiful, high-quality throw blanket looks and feels much more luxurious than several cheap, pilling fleece ones.

Pro Tips:

• Choose a throw blanket made from a natural material with a beautiful texture, like a wool-cashmere blend, a chunky cotton knit, or a soft linen.
• A single, beautiful throw draped over your sofa instantly elevates the entire piece of furniture.
• The same goes for pillows. A few pillows with high-quality feather inserts and beautiful covers will look better than many cheap, flat polyester ones.
• Invest in a set of beautiful, soft bedding. Since you use it every night, it is an investment in your own comfort.
• These are all items that are completely portable and will last you for years.
• They add a crucial layer of softness, texture, and color to a room.
• A sophisticated, neutral color palette for your large textiles will always look timeless and expensive.
• Look for textiles with high-end details like a beautiful trim or a subtle pattern.
• The tactile quality of your home is just as important as the visual quality.
• These pieces are what make a home feel truly comfortable and luxurious.

24. Hide Your Cords

A visible jumble of cords and cables from your TV, lamps, and chargers is one of the fastest ways to make a space look cluttered and cheap.

Pro Tips:

• Use a paintable cord cover that sticks to the wall to hide the cord from a wall-mounted TV or a plug-in sconce.
• Bundle the cords behind your desk or entertainment center together with simple velcro ties.
• Use a stylish cord management box to hide your entire power strip and all its messy plugs.
• Run cords along the back of furniture legs or under a rug where possible.
• Use adhesive clips to run a cord neatly along the back edge of a desk or a console table.
• This is a small, but incredibly important, detail in creating a clean, organized, and high-end look.
• Cord clutter creates visual chaos and makes a space feel messy, even when it is clean.
• Taking the time to manage your cords is a sign of a thoughtful and well-designed home.
• There are many stylish and affordable cord management solutions available online.
• This is a simple fix that will make your space feel instantly calmer and more polished.

25. The Power of Fresh Flowers

Nothing says “effortless luxury” quite like a simple vase of fresh flowers. It is a small touch that signals care and an appreciation for everyday beauty.

Pro Tips:

• You do not need a huge, expensive bouquet. A simple bunch of tulips or hydrangeas from the grocery store can be stunning.
• Even a few stems of beautiful greenery, like eucalyptus, in a vase can look incredibly chic and will last for weeks.
• Place a small bud vase with a single, beautiful bloom on your nightstand or in your bathroom.
• Having fresh flowers in your home is a small, affordable luxury that can have a huge impact on your mood.
• It makes a space feel alive, fresh, and well-cared for.
• Choose a beautiful, sculptural vase that looks good even when it is empty.
• Change the water every day to make your fresh flowers last longer.
• This is a simple ritual that can make your rental feel like a truly special place to live.
• It is a classic designer trick for making any space feel more elegant and inviting.
• It is a small detail that shows you are living a beautiful life in your home, not just occupying a space.

Conclusion

Living in a rental does not mean you are destined to live in a space that feels cheap or impersonal. A high-end, luxurious look is not about how much money you spend, but about how thoughtfully you make your choices.

By focusing on clever, reversible upgrades like swapping hardware, layering beautiful lighting, and using high-impact temporary finishes, you can completely transform your space.

These budget-friendly hacks prove that with a bit of creativity and attention to detail, you can create a rental that looks expensive, feels personal, and truly becomes a place you are proud to call home.