Amazon Has a Rental Hack Guide for Small Space Problems

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Whether you're stepping out on your own for the first time or moving to a new city, there are several ways to make your new apartment feel like home (think trendy furniture and a full gallery wall). However, there are limitations when it comes to renting, since you don't own your space. Your walls, flooring, appliances, and fixtures are all things you likely can't change, but there are a few clever workarounds to make your rental more inviting.

Amazon has a hidden shoppers guide that's filled with rental hacks for typical small space problems. Along with the usual problems like limited storage space in your kitchen or entryway, the retailer also offers solutions for dark lighting, boring wall colors, and lack of outdoor space. Each hack is affordable and won't take a dent in your security deposit after you move out. Keep reading to shop our six favorite Amazon rental hacks below.

Hack 1: Use Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Most lease agreements have a clause discouraging renters from painting the walls. And since most apartments are painted with lackluster white or cream colors, adding personality to your walls can be tricky. The solution? Add peel-and-stick wallpaper. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is affordable, easy to install, and most importantly, seamless to remove, leaving behind the same wall before you move out. There's a variety of patterns to choose from on Amazon like floral, geometric, plaid, and abstract to really let your aesthetic shine through.

NuWallpaper Mirei Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

$23 per roll (was $50 per roll), amazon.com

RoomMates Tropical Palm Leaf Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

$25 per roll (was $37 per roll), amazon.com

NuWallpaper Farmhouse Plaid Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

$23 per roll (was $50 per roll), amazon.com

Hack 2: Create a Dining Nook

If your apartment features a tight kitchen and a small living space, it's difficult to incorporate a space for dining. Instead of eating on your couch every day, you can easily create a dining space from an unused corner of your living room. Amazon suggests creating a little nook with benches, a small round or square table, and small dining chairs. Buy two to four benches so you can create seating for up to four people—you get bonus points if you can find benches with storage for serveware, throws, or your extensive vinyl collection.

Songmics Storage Ottoman Bench

$60, amazon.com

GreenForest Dining Table

$160, amazon.com

CangLong Mid-Century Modern Set of Four Dining Chairs

$203, amazon.com

Hack 3: Set Up a Faux Entryway Drop Zone

Unless your apartment expands across an entire floor, chances are, you don't have a proper entryway. Entering the main space of your home right when you open the door negates storage opportunities for bags, shoes, jackets, and mail. However, you can easily add a few hooks, floating shelves, and a stylish shoe rack to store your essentials by the door without causing clutter or taking up too much space.

Amazon Basics Wall-Mounted Farmhouse Coat Rack

$21, amazon.com

Sauder North Avenue Storage Bench

$127, amazon.com

Bayka Floating Shelves

$21 with coupon (was $30), amazon.com

Hack 4: No Outdoor Space? Add Indoor Plants

If your apartment has limited or no outdoor space, a vegetable garden might be out of your reach, but you can still exercise your green thumb with indoor plants. Dress up empty corners with a large statement plant, like a fern, snake plant, or peace lily. If you have large windows, consider hanging planters that not only provide a space for your plants to thrive, but also add dimension to your home. And if you love to cook, the AeroGarden grow kit comes with herb seeds and a grow light.

Umbra Triflora Hanging Planter

$55, amazon.com

AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light

$105 (was $150), amazon.com

EdenProducts Mid-Century Modern Large Planter with Stand

$70 with coupon ($80), amazon.com

Hack 5: Add Lighting With Plug-In Pendants and Sconces

Whether it's ineffective track lights, harsh canned lighting, or a lack of windows, apartments rarely have good lighting. While you likely can't replace these fixtures, you can easily add light to dark spots with plug-in pendant lights, sconces, and floor lamps. They're easy to install, painless to remove, and provide the extra light you need for your bedroom, workspace, or living room.

Trlife Plug In Wall Sconces

$59, amazon.com

Dewenwils Plug In Pendant Light

$30 (was $32), amazon.com

Rivet Mid Century Modern Plug In Sconce

$34, amazon.com

Hack 6: Increase Limited Kitchen Storage

It's no secret that most apartments have limited kitchen space with just a few cabinets and drawers. In order to maximize this space, invest in food storage containers and organization racks for your must-have kitchen items. Shop hanging organizers for your pantry items, airtight food containers, and adjustable racks to hold your cutting boards, pans, and bakeware.