Moving in a all white walls apt.. I need some good ideas on what to cover walls in that wont damage anything.

Jonell Everett
by Jonell Everett
And the cold tile floors. Help Please, ty Jonell

P.S. This is a gov. apts cant glue tiles, carpet or wall paper
  29 answers
  • Z Z on Feb 09, 2013
    Without knowing your style my best suggestions would be using large art on the walls and color through accessories such as window treatments, toss pillows, throws, books on the coffee table etc.
  • large area rugs on tile floors. Or use carpet tiles that interlock but do not stick down. Easy to remove when its time to leave. Makes it like you have wall to wall carpet down.
  • Why not paint? If the walls are white, then just paint them white again before you move out. Or, depending on room sizes and configuration...use tension rods or install curtain rods and cover sections of walls or accent walls with floor to ceiling drapes. An easy and inexpensive DIY is to use sheets...they are longer than most curtains and much cheaper. I use twin sheets and just cut a hole in each end of the bottom seam for the rod pocket. Also, recently saw a post where the designer simply painted a sheet of plywood and leaned it against the wall behind a sofa...they used a simple chevron pattern and it looked great! Happy decorating! Post pics so we can see your results!
  • Elaine heist Elaine heist on Feb 09, 2013
    If the walls are flat white --buy some gloss whiye and stencil a design on the flat walls
  • Rita Rita on Feb 09, 2013
    Use a grouping of canvases. Paint them your favorite colors or glue pics to them and decoupage over the pic. They are light weight and can be easily hung without destroying the wall.
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 09, 2013
    Thank You Rita, Never thought if that.
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 09, 2013
    A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 09, 2013
    Cant paint on Gov. Apt. walls :(
  • Susan Cocco Susan Cocco on Feb 09, 2013
    Hang curtain rods floor to ceiling and use interesting curtains or tapestries as the "wall" ...will add a sense of mystery and great color
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 09, 2013
    That is a great idea, ok I have a question, the wall is long but it is the living room and a litttle eat in place. How do you get a rod that long ?
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 09, 2013
    I have to say, you all are great !
  • Carroll A Carroll A on Feb 09, 2013
    You may have to hang more than one rod to get a huge wall covered. When I was in gov housing we could not nail on the walls either. Command hooks are the best for hanging on walls without leaving marks or wholes. You can also make simple frames and frame large pieces of wallpaper. What an easy way to add color and texture and so easy and cheap to change if you get tired.
  • Linda Linda on Feb 09, 2013
    You can dip an interesting piece of fabric in liquid starch and smooth onto the wall. Pull off and throw in the wash when your ready to move onto something new, and just wash the wall.
  • Gail Gail on Feb 09, 2013
    You can use inexpensive tablecloths....cut slits into the tops, and use Command hooks to hang them. Either as a focal point or to cover the entire wall. You can hang white sheets as well, and attach photos and other lightweight decor to them as well :o)
  • Lisa S Lisa S on Feb 09, 2013
    There are carpet tiles with the padding already attached that you can install with no adhesive and then take them up when you move.
  • Connie K Connie K on Feb 09, 2013
    I agree with the fabric and liquid starch idea. It's a great way to attach fabric to a wall. If you don't want to cover the entire wall you can cut out large rectangles and place around the wall spacing them like you would if the wall trimmed out with molding. Gee, I'm not sure what that is called. My dining room is trimmed out above the chair rail and you often see wall paper in the insets. Since you can't use trim, you can attach trim around the edges to dress it up. Also, double sided tape is much better than it used to be and can be found in different "strength" adhesive ability. You can always test a piece in an area that isn't visible like a closet wall. Muslin is inexpensive and can be painted or you can transfer different designs to it for additional interest. Also, don't overlook folding screens. They come in all sizes and types and if you find one at a thrift store or flea market it can be painted, covered with fabric, decoupaged. The blog call Graphics Fairy has many ways to transfer designs onto fabric, wood, and other surfaces. Also, colorful accessories go a long way for great pops of color. Find what you like and if its not the color you need head for the spray paint. Also, painted furniture is an inexpensive but great way to add color. Good luck and post pictures when you have it finished.
  • Marilyn Jarmusch Marilyn Jarmusch on Feb 09, 2013
    Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get 4x8 foam insulation. Cut it into interesting shapes or leave in panels. Cover with whatever you like, fabric, wallpaper, sheets, etc. You can add molding or ??? and create a huge impact. Attach with command strips and you have sound proofing, insulation, and decor possibilities. Foam insulation sheets are relatively inexpensive, under $10. The sky is the limit. You could just paint them...
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on Feb 09, 2013
    You can use slip a sheet on a dowel rod, and then hang the dowel rod on Command hooks. This could be a temporary look to dress up windows, or change the look of a wall. I used this idea to hang my sons baseball and hockey metals on the wall in his room.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Feb 10, 2013
    Colorful rugs are not very expensive and you can take them with you...these rugs are basically indestructible. Put color on your floor and in your accessories. If you can't hang on the wall, how about tall branches panted bright colors stuck in a tall container (weighted with sand for stability).
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 10, 2013
    Love your ideas.I will be using the branches with lights. I seen that somewhere, Thank You :)
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 10, 2013
    You can not paint on Gov. apts...
  • Carroll A Carroll A on Feb 10, 2013
    Our Big Lots has the light up branches. I think I also saw them at Joann's. Post pics when you are done. We would love to see what you decided.
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 10, 2013
    Thanks I sure will.
  • Jonell Everett Jonell Everett on Feb 10, 2013
    I LOVE all the ideas and a GREAT BIG THANK YOU !!!
  • Connie K Connie K on Feb 10, 2013
    Jonell, good luck and my wishes for a good outcome on the medical. My main advice...enjoy the process whatever ideas you decide to use. Use your favorite colors and things that make you happy and centered. Don't forget a place of serenity, possibly your bedroom. Sometimes we need a place to relax and cocoon too so we can let go off the stresses of life. Wishing you the best.
  • Tina Valentine Tina Valentine on Feb 10, 2013
    There are lots of vinyl cling wall decorations. I've even seen a few cute ones at Dollar Tree. Another way to add color is vinyl window coverings that look like stained glass. If you're artsy, you can use Gallery Glass paints to paint a window however you like. It scrapes off easily with a razor blade when it's time to move.
  • Pam Oleson-Kremer Pam Oleson-Kremer on Feb 12, 2013
    If you want to keep it light but have privacy, use rice paper cut to size of window, or size to give you privacy and attach with the gum sticky stuff that you can use on posters.
  • Carolyn Bostic Carolyn Bostic on Feb 13, 2013
    I too was thinking of the removable wall decals. My subsidized apt just got new natural wood kitchen cabinets. Too light for my taste so I've been googling wall decals for the last month. Good luck. I'd love to see what you do in your place too.
  • Nancy Cluster Nancy Cluster on Sep 04, 2015
    Use starch on marterial and put up like wall paper,and when ready to move or change,just pull it off!