Want to make your rental apartment stylish? Renovations and modifications do have restrictions. Learn the right way to customize your space while honoring your restoration obligations—plus smart DIY ideas to inspire you.
Reviewed by: Nobuyuki MoriPresident, M-Assets Co., Ltd. / Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist (Miyagi #018212)
When living in a rental apartment, it's common to think, "I wish I could make this space more my own." However, since rental properties come with an obligation to restore them to their original condition upon move-out, it's important to understand exactly how much customization is permitted. This article covers everything from the basics of DIY rules in rentals to specific ideas for making your space stylish while honoring your restoration obligations—all explained from an expert perspective.
To enjoy DIY and wallpaper renovation while keeping move-out costs down, understanding restoration rules and how to obtain landlord permission is key. We'll explain specific steps for using removable wallpaper, painter's tape, and staples, plus typical repair costs if issues occur.
Master temperature management in your rental to survive summer heat and winter cold. This guide covers efficient air conditioning use, insulation product tips, and practical utility cost-saving strategies.
A guide to restoration to original condition rules you should know when doing DIY and redecorating in rental properties. Real estate experts explain the average costs charged at move-out for wall holes, pet scratches, and flooring damage, as well as strategies to minimize expenses.
In rental housing, "restoration obligation" refers to the responsibility required of tenants to return the property to its condition before move-in upon move-out. According to guidelines from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, wear and tear from normal use and age are the landlord's responsibility, but the cost of restoring any modifications or customization made by the tenant is generally the tenant's responsibility. For more information on move-out costs in general, please see our guide to restoration obligations and security deposit refunds.
As of 2026, the number of "DIY-friendly properties" that explicitly permit tenant customization has been growing, particularly in urban areas. The following customization projects are most likely to cause restoration problems:
• Replacing or painting wallpaper (wall covering) • Numerous nail or screw holes in walls • Painting flooring or applying material on top of it • Removing or modifying fixtures such as doors • Replacing light fixture bodies (changing to something other than a ceiling socket)
However, small pushpin holes (those that don't reach the backing board) are considered within the scope of normal use and are not charged to the tenant.
Before undertaking any DIY, we strongly recommend checking with your property management company and obtaining permission for the following projects:
Work involving anchor bolts or screws for hanging artwork or shelves penetrates through to the backing material (drywall), making restoration difficult.
While it's sometimes possible to apply peel-and-stick wallpaper over existing wallpaper, the original wallpaper may tear when removed. Prior confirmation is essential.
Installing or removing air conditioning units through DIY involves work that requires professional licensing, so you must hire a licensed contractor and notify your property management company.
Creating new partition walls or removing existing ones constitutes major alteration and is generally prohibited.
There are several ways to dramatically change your room's atmosphere without directly modifying the walls.
• Tension rods, Labrico, and Diawall: These floor-to-ceiling tension systems create shelves, storage, and partitions without damaging walls. They're beginner-friendly and widely used in rental apartments. • Peel-and-stick wallpaper and wall stickers: Rental-friendly removable wallpaper allows you to redecorate without damaging the original surface. However, depending on the condition of the backing, the original wallpaper may peel off as well, so test in an inconspicuous area first. • Masking tape: With its gentle adhesive strength, masking tape is ideal for decoration and temporary installation without damaging wallpaper.
You can change your floor's atmosphere by using peel-and-stick floor tiles or cushioned flooring sheets.
While it's common to lay interlocking mats (cork or EVA material), leaving them down for extended periods can leave marks on the flooring. Periodically lift them to check, or choose mats made from appropriate materials.
Laying cushioned flooring sheets on top of existing flooring without adhesive is an easy-to-reverse customization well-suited to rentals. However, the edges can easily peel up, so it's important to choose a securing method that won't cause problems at move-out.
Lighting greatly influences a room's atmosphere, but changes in rentals require caution.
The main lighting customizations allowed in rentals are:
• Replacing a ceiling light fixture body: If a ceiling socket (round pendant socket) is installed, replacing it with a commercially available ceiling light fixture is generally permitted. Upon move-out, reinstall the original fixture. • Changing bulbs: Switching from incandescent to LED bulbs is fine. At move-out, return the original bulbs or take your LED bulbs with you.
On the other hand, installing new lighting fixtures on ceilings (including outlet work) requires a licensed electrician and cannot be done without proper credentials.
The fundamental criterion for DIY and customization in rental housing is: can you return it to its original condition at move-out? For projects that are difficult to reverse, your best options are to consult with your property management company and get permission beforehand, or choose a DIY-friendly property from the start.
Take full advantage of easy-to-reverse customizations like tension rods, Labrico, peel-and-stick wallpaper, and lighting fixture changes to make your rental home more comfortable. SUMUIE features many DIY-friendly properties that welcome customization. If you'd like to realize your ideal interior design, be sure to add these properties to your search criteria. For more information about tenant rights, please also check out this article.
A practical guide covering whether you can install add-on fixtures (water purifiers, dishwashers, bidet seats) in rental homes, how to get permission, and how to handle restoration to original condition when moving out—making it easy to improve your quality of life.
床スラブ厚と上階の足音問題——賃貸で「ドン」という衝撃音が響く構造的な理由と物件選びのポイント
前橋・群馬の賃貸エリアガイド【2026年版】——主要エリア別家賃相場と住みやすさを徹底比較
Making the Most of Protruding Beams and Columns in Rental Apartments — Smart Furniture Placement Strategies
Mito & Ibaraki Rental Area Guide [2026] — Comprehensive Explanation of Rental Rates and Livability by Major Area
Uncovering Property Issues by Asking Previous Tenants About Their Departure—Questions to Ask During Viewings and How to Interpret Answers
