I am providing this tutorial to you right now since I keep seeing the same question come up. I see it on social media, hear it from friends, and read it in the comments. Everyone wants a great yard, but no one wants to forfeit their deposit.
What You Should Know About Rental Renovations?
“Will my landlord freak out?” is the first thing people always ask me. I think most landlords want the apartment back the way they gave it to you.
You are in danger if you drill holes, pour concrete, or paint a brick wall pink. But what if you focus on “floating” upgrades? You are great.
We could agree that renting restricts you, or we might disagree, but the truth is that you have more authority than you believe. You only need to be clever.
I have seen renters turn a muddy hole into a paradise without using any permanent tools. It’s not about spending a lot of money; it’s about being smart with what you have.
1. Fix the Ugly Ground
Let’s begin with the item that looks the worst. Most of the time, rental backyards include fractured concrete slabs or dirt that isn’t particularly smooth. It ruins the vibe right immediately.
You could think you have to cope with it, but you don’t. You should not tear it up; you should hide it.
Deck Tiles That Fit Together
This is, without a doubt, the best rental improvement. I’m talking about those tiles made of wood or composite that fit together like a jigsaw.
- Why they work: They go right on top of the other surface. There are no nails or glue.
- The look: It looks just like a fancy hardwood deck right away.
- The exit: When you move, you unclip them, put them in a box, and carry them with you to your future residence.
In one afternoon, I’ve seen folks cover a 10×10 patio. It transforms the whole feel of the area. In two hours, you travel from “sad concrete” to “luxury lounge.”
Outdoor Rugs
If you can’t afford tiles, consider a big rug for the outside. Don’t get a little doormat; purchase something that hides the defects.
Check to see if it is composed of recycled plastic or polypropylene. These materials won’t damage the surface below or hold water.
Tip: Putting rugs on top of one another is really popular right now. First, lay down a big, plain rug. Then, on top of it, place a smaller, patterned rug at an angle. It appears that it was planned out, not just slapped together.
This HGTV guide on outdoor fabrics has further information on how to choose the proper materials for weather resistance.
2. Privacy Screens
The second most important thing for a decent backyard is seclusion. When the neighbor is looking at them from the balcony, no one can rest.
But you can’t put up a fence. So, what do you do? You put up a “fake” fence.
Rolls of Bamboo Reed
They are inexpensive, light, and appear like they are from the tropics. You may buy them in rolls and connect them to a chain-link fence or balcony railing that is already there.
The secret is to use zip ties.
Don’t use nails or wire. Use zip ties that are quite strong. They stay put in storms, but as soon as you need to go, you can quickly cut them off. No damage was done.
Screens for privacy that stand on their own
Buy a metal screen that stands on its own if you don’t have a fence to attach items to. Their feet touch the earth.
You may hang lights on them, plant vines on them, or utilize them to hide the trash cans. It works like a wall that you can move.
3. Vertical Gardening: Greenery Without Digging
Let’s go to the grassy space. “Do not change the landscaping” is what most leases say. That typically indicates “don’t dig.”
So, we move up. Vertical gardening is the best thing for people who rent.
The Planter on the Ladder
Put an old wooden ladder against a wall. It looks great and rustic. Put pots on the rungs.
You get a wall of flowers or herbs right away, and it doesn’t take up any floor space. Also, you don’t have to weed at all because the pots aren’t in the ground.
Shoe Organizers That Hang
This may seem strange, but bear with me. Buy a canvas shoe organizer that hangs on a door. Put it on a fence or railing.
Put dirt in the pockets and plant herbs or flowers that trail. It makes a “living wall” look for less than $20.
The Royal Horticultural Society has good information on what plants may live in containers.
4. Lighting
The lighting can make or ruin the room. One floodlight is awful. You want a light.
But you can’t employ an electrician to run wiring. The answer? Power from the sun and batteries.
Lights on Poles with Strings
You want it to appear like a restaurant, right? The difficulty is that there is no place to hang the lights.
Here is the trick: Buy big planters. In the middle, put a tall wooden pole. To support the post, pour quick-set concrete into the planter. The concrete stays in the pot, not the ground.
Now your postings can move. Put your lights on a string between them. It stands on its own and looks great at night.
Lights for Solar Paths
You don’t need a path to utilize them. Get a set of 10 solar stakes. Put them in your pots or hang them on your railing with a zip tie.
They charge all day and switch on by themselves. It gives your home a high-end look without costing you any extra on your power bill.
5. Furniture That Floats
You never know how big your next yard will be when you rent. It’s a bad idea to buy big, hefty furniture.
Foldable and Modular
Choose bistro sets that can be folded up. Also, check for modular couches that let you move the pieces around.
A foldable set will fit if you move to a property with a small balcony. You merely stretch it out if you move to a property with a big yard.
Pieces with More Than One Function
Buy a bench for storage. It has seating, but you can also store your gardening equipment, cushions, and hose within.
Rentals don’t always have enough storage space, so furniture that serves more than one purpose is a godsend.
6. Dealing with the “No Paint” Rule
A lot of you inquire about painting. “Is it okay if I paint the fence?” “Is it okay to paint the brick?”
Most of the time, the response is a harsh no. But I have a brilliant way around that.
Tiles that you can peel and stick (for vertical surfaces)
You may use peel-and-stick tiles that are meant for the outdoors on flat surfaces, just like you can inside.
You may have a terrible tile table or a strange, smooth concrete half-wall. You may cover it up using sticker tiles. Just make sure they can be used outside so they don’t come off in the rain.
Drapes of Fabric
Put up outside curtains if a wall is really unsightly. If there are two pillars, you can utilize a tension rod.
It makes the room feel softer and conceals the unattractive wall totally. It feels like a cabana.
7. The Water Feature Trick
You might assume a fountain is impossible. No, it isn’t.
Fountains for Solar Birdbaths
For roughly $15, you can get a solar pump set. Put a good porcelain bowl on a table, fill it with water, and put the pump in.
It floats, catches the light, and becomes a little fountain. The sound of water rushing drowns out the sounds from the street. It’s a small feature that makes the area feel fancy.
Quick Recap of the “Do Not Do” List
Let’s briefly go over the things you should stay away from so you don’t lose your deposit.
- No digging: Don’t take out any bushes that are already there.
- No permanent fixings: Don’t use masonry bolts or big screws in the siding.
- No chopping down trees: You can’t cut down a tree without written authorization.
- Don’t paint: Put down the brush if you don’t have it in writing.
Conclusion
In summary, my major message is this: Don’t allow “renting” to be a reason to have a dull yard.
We discussed renter-friendly backyard improvements that won’t hurt the property, from the ground up to the lights.
The tiles on the deck fix the floor. The bamboo rolls make the privacy better. The lights make the mood better.
You don’t need a contractor for any of this. This doesn’t affect the house at all.
Your landlord could even be grateful that you made the apartment appear nicer. But the greatest part? You pack everything up and take your investment with you when you depart.
