When I moved into my apartment, I was obsessed with the idea of having Calacatta Viola marble countertops. But, I knew installing $10,000 worth of marble was impossible as a renter, so instead, I used this pinky-purple marble contact paper and made it work!

Inspired by this Zoe Feldman-designed kitchen, I ran the pattern 18" up the wall to act as a backsplash - creating the illusion of a much bigger space. Then, added a 1" piece of trim painted Benjamin Moore’s Monticello Rose to hide the seem. It gives it that extra hint of luxury - don’t cha think?

Simply put, wallpaper (peel-and-stick or removable pasted) is the best way to add interest to a rental, and it doesn't make as much of a mess as paint. Currently, I have six patterns installed in my apartment, and even though I'm completely out of wall space, I cannot help but dream about unique ways to style wallpaper. So, I’m sharing a few creative ways to use the sticky stuff in your apartment.

Hope this inspires your next project!

xoxo,

Imani

Frame It

"How do I fill the space behind my bed?" is an age-old design question that many struggle to answer, but Madeline of @tulipsforthetable has the perfect response! Using a woodland mural scene inside of frame molding completely upgraded her NYC apartment bedroom. The mural is held up by liquid starch and adds so much interest to the space - highlight the holding at the same time.

If you’re on a budget, consider popping a wallpaper sample in a gold ornate frame and hang with command strips.

Metallics Matter

Years of the 'landlord special' paint jobs make apartment kitchen cabinets look thick and lumpy, but one way to get around that is to cover them up! Kim White, whose 296 Sq Ft. Brooklyn Studio apartment tour set my life on fire, covered her slab-style cabinets with gold reflective paper, and it's absolutely 🔥!

This application style is a bit more difficult if you've got ornate cabinet doors, but anything is possible with patience and a blow dryer - just check out this makeover!

Cover Up, Please

In a dream world, all apartments would come with beautiful SMEG refrigerators, but until that happens, you can always upgrade your appliances with peel-and-stick! Maitri of @honeyidressedthepug gave her teeny-tiny kitchen a colorful turn with this clementine garden wallpaper and I love it!

If you really want to take things to the next level, consider covering your stove, microwave, and dishwasher using something like 3M vinyl wrap. This product is designed for cars, so it’ll be fine for your household appliances.

A Surprise Roll Out

Sometimes, the joy of doing a DIY project is creating memorable moments people can discover the longer they inhabit a space. Nothing proves this more than the kitchen makeover by Lauren of @pinchplateparty. This kitchen features County Flowers Wallpaper by Milton and King, on the sides of the drawers, so you only see it when the kitchen is in use.

Stone? In A Rental

Did you know real STONE backsplash comes in a peel-and-stick application? Welp... Now you do.

Marianne of @thematimes elevated her NYC apartment with a marble peel-and-stick mosaic for $18/sq. ft., and it's gorgeous. Of course, you'll need a wet saw to install, but you can always rent one from a local hardware store. Depending on the size of your space, this project can get pricy, so I'd save this DIY for long-term renters and homeowners.

I'm so excited to try a natural stone peel-and-stick backsplash, but I think I’ll hold off on this until I move into my new apartment, but who knows... If I pop out with a new kitchen… don’t judge me. 😜

My Favorite Removable Wallpapers