Are You Allowed to Decorate a Rental?
Decorating Your Rental Without Losing Your Deposit
After 30 years of reporting on housing and tenant rights, one truth remains remarkably consistent: renters don’t lose deposits over decoration—they lose them over misunderstanding.
In Ontario, that misunderstanding is common. Many renters assume they must live with blank walls and bare floors to stay “safe.” In reality, the law tells a more balanced story. In 2026, despite updates to rent guidelines and other aspects of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), the rules around decorating your rental have not fundamentally changed.
You are allowed to make a place feel like home—if you do it thoughtfully, document it properly, and understand where the line is.
The Legal Baseline: What Ontario Actually Allows
Under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act and the Standard Lease, tenants are permitted to make minor decorative changes to their rental unit. These include everyday acts of living—hanging art, installing curtains, or adding shelving for personal use.
Crucially:
- Small nail holes and minor marks are considered normal wear and tear
- Ontario does not allow damage or security deposits, only last month’s rent
- Landlords cannot charge you for reasonable cosmetic wear
This means that tasteful, reversible decorating is not only common—it’s expected.
Decorations You Can Usually Make Without Permission
Most renters can confidently make the following changes without seeking landlord approval:
- Hanging pictures, mirrors, or artwork
- Installing window coverings or curtain rods
- Adding lightweight shelves
- Putting up seasonal or holiday decorations (as long as they don’t pose safety risks)
In legal terms, these fall under ordinary enjoyment of the unit. A few small holes or removable adhesive marks do not qualify as damage under the RTA.
When You Do Need Written Approval
Not all changes are equal. Some alterations cross from decoration into modification—and that’s where written consent matters.
You should always get landlord approval for:
- Painting walls or ceilings
- Installing permanent shelving or fixtures
- Changing flooring
- Replacing lighting fixtures
- Any work requiring professional installation
If permission is granted, landlords may require you to:
- Restore the unit to its original condition
- Repaint in neutral colours before move-out
The key word is written. Verbal agreements fade; emails and lease addendums don’t.
Decorating Without Risk: Smart, Renter-Friendly Solutions
Experienced renters have adapted. Today’s best rental decor is flexible, temporary, and surprisingly stylish.
Wall Decor (Low Risk, High Impact)
- Adhesive hooks and Command Strips for frames and décor
- Removable wallpaper or decals (always test first)
- Gallery walls using damage-free hanging systems
- Leaning art or mirrors on shelves or furniture
Furniture & Floors
- Large area rugs to define spaces and protect flooring
- Throw pillows, blankets, and curtains for colour and texture
- Decorative ladders or freestanding shelves instead of drilling
Kitchens & Surfaces
- Peel-and-stick contact paper inside cabinets or on counters
- Removable tile backsplashes for visual impact
- Plants—real or artificial—to bring warmth without permanence
These options allow renters to personalize without risking disputes.
The Single Most Important Step: Document Everything
Documentation is your strongest protection.
Before decorating:
- Take clear, dated photos or videos of walls, floors, and fixtures
Before moving out:
- Photograph the same areas again
- Fill small nail holes and touch up if needed
If questions arise, documentation shifts the conversation from opinion to evidence.
Condos, Bylaws, and Special Rules
If you’re renting a condo, remember: condo bylaws can add another layer. Restrictions may apply to balconies, windows, or exterior-facing décor. These rules are enforceable even if your landlord personally doesn’t object.
Always ask for a copy of condo rules before decorating shared or visible spaces.
Where Rent Life Fits In
Understanding what you’re allowed to do—and how to protect yourself—starts with good information. Platforms like Rent-Life.ca help renters understand lease terms, tenant rights, and expectations before small misunderstandings become expensive problems.
And while Ontario doesn’t allow damage deposits, renters are still responsible for accidental loss or liability. That’s why tenant insurance matters. Providers like Duuo Insurance offer simple, affordable coverage that protects your belongings and peace of mind—without complicating your budget.
👉 Learn more: https://duuo.ca/tenant-insurance/?affiliate_id=rentlife
A Practical Rule of Thumb
If a change is:
- Reversible
- Minor
- Documented
- Reasonable
…it’s almost always acceptable.
If it’s permanent, structural, or hard to undo—pause, ask, and get it in writing.
Final Thought: Making a Rental Feel Like Home Is Your Right
Renting doesn’t mean living temporarily in someone else’s space. It means living fully—within clear, reasonable boundaries.
When you understand your rights, decorate intentionally, and keep records, personalizing your rental becomes an act of confidence, not risk.
And that confidence—more than any paint colour—is what truly makes a place feel like home.
Share this with someone who’s afraid to hang anything.
📱 Download the app: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/rent-life-rental-properties/id6473648036
🔒 Tenant insurance: https://duuo.ca/tenant-insurance/?affiliate_id=rentlife
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🎨 Know Your Rights: Trusted Resources for Decorating Your Rental
- How Ontario Landlords Handle Tenant Alterations
https://royalyorkpropertymanagement.ca/news-article/how-ontario-landlords-should-handle-tenant-requests-for-renovations-or-alterations - Ontario’s Standard Lease Explained
http://www.ontario.ca/page/guide-ontarios-standard-lease - Landlord and Tenant Act of Ontario – Overview
https://foundspaces.ca/landlord-and-tenant-act-of-ontario/ - Ontario Landlord Rules & Rent Control Updates (2026)
https://www.assetsoft.biz/blogs/post/ontario-landlord-rules-2026-rent-control-bill-60-faq - Can Landlords Restrict Holiday Decorations?
https://benchmark.legal/EN/landlord-and-tenant/other-issues/restricting-holiday-decorations - Hanging Decorations or Window Coverings (Steps to Justice)
https://stepstojustice.ca/steps/housing-law/hanging-decorations-or-window-coverings/ - Can I Hang Decorations or Paint the Walls? (Tenant Q&A)
https://stepstojustice.ca/questions/housing-law/can-i-hang-decorations-or-paint-the-walls-in-my-rental-unit/ - Rent & Security Deposits in Canada Explained
https://liv.rent/blog/rental-laws/what-is-rent-and-security-deposit-in-canada/ - Restricting Holiday Decorations – Legal Perspective
https://ranger.legal/EN/landlord-tenant-services/other-issues/restricting-holiday-decorations - Tenant Rights in Ontario – Plain-Language Guide
https://neobanc.com/articles/tenant-rights-ontario