If there’s one thing that can really spoil a great rental apartment, it’s bad flooring. Terrible tile, worn-down hardwood, linoleum for days—you’ll find yourself spending more time in other rooms just to avoid it.
There are, however, some ways to temporarily render a bad floor wholly invisible for the tenure of your stay.
Each one can be accomplished both on the cheap (for bigger rooms) or for more of a splurge (for a higher-quality look in a small space), so we included options for each. A word to the wise: Double-check before installing to be sure the material is truly removable.
Related: Biggest Flooring Mistakes Homeowners Make
Stick-on Vinyl Floor Decals
Perhaps the easiest and least expensive of options, peel-and-stick vinyl tiles can look way more professional than you think. Choose precut squares in simple colours or something with more personality.
Wall-to-Wall Carpet Tiles
If what your room is really screaming for is wall-to-wall carpet—the good kind, of course—but you aren’t exactly up for the commitment, consider carpet tiles. Similar to tile, check to be sure the adhesive is low-level sticky before applying so that it can be removed when you move out.
Foam Floor Tiles
You probably think of a gym or a baby’s room when you hear the term “foam floor tiles,” but in reality, these cushy squares that lock into place without glue or adhesive can be used in a variety of more functional spaces: kitchens, laundry rooms, baths, even bedrooms and dens. Either shop from the best-rated kids’ brands that have a nice aesthetic.
Click-in Faux Wood Flooring
Don’t baulk at this just yet! Click-in, engineered wood flooring has many advantages for temporary situations: incredibly easy install, a pretty dang realistic look, and an unbeatable price. Plus, you can source it from any big-box hardware.
A Good Coat of Paint
This is a low-lift fix for wood floors in need of a pick-me-up and if you want the finish to look extra lustrous. Obviously, you’ll want to check with your landlord before painting the wood floors, because it won’t be removable per se. But if the existing floors aren’t in great condition—and your landlord isn’t quite ready to renovate—it’s an easy, inexpensive way to prolong them for one more tenant.
See Also:Flooring: Choosing between Tiles or Wooden?
