Thumbtack & Zillow Reveal the 10 Most Renter-Friendly Home Projects Inspired By Popular Trends Gen Z Loves

Top 10 Renter-Friendly Home Projects of 2024

Based on data and insights from our platform, Home Experts and Thumbtack Pros, we’ve broken down the top projects renters can tackle to boost the appeal of their homes.

Update Kitchen & Bathroom Fixtures

Small fixes that add a splash of color can go a long way, and changing out cabinet hardware is one of the easiest ways to add charm to a kitchen or bathroom. Half circles, fluted, and curved hardware are currently trending, so consider replacing drawer handles or cabinet knobs to give the rooms a fresh feel. 

As for color, matte black finishes help modernize a space. In fact, Zillow reports matte black fixtures and hardware can help a rental listing get 8.3% more saves and 5% more shares per day on Zillow Rentals, making this simple upgrade beneficial to you and your landlord. Costs for updating fixtures can range anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the fixtures purchased and how many changes you want to make. 

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Add Rugs, Artwork, & Throw Pillows

Gen Z renters aren't afraid to make bold choices, especially when it comes to home decor. Irregularly shaped rugs with bold colors and funky pillows are in and help add texture and color to your space. When choosing artwork, Gen Z is on the hunt for the most unique and empowering pieces. Neon signs and artwork featuring smiley faces, flowers, quotes, fruit, and even cowboy boots are all ways Gen Z is infusing personality into their space.

Costs for accent pieces vary greatly depending on the type of rug, pillow, or artwork you choose, allowing you to adjust based on your budget. Gallery walls are also becoming increasingly popular, and depending on the frames you choose and whether you DIY or hire a pro, on average, installing a gallery wall can cost between $100-$270.

Add Open Shelving 

Adding shelving can benefit both you and your landlord, with Zillow reporting that rental listings with open shelving get 11.7% more saves per day on Zillow Rentals than similar units. With a national average cost of $275 for professional installation, open shelves allow you to display items in your home without having to add bulky furniture. 

Floating shelves are increasingly popular and are usually installed to display gadgets and appliances in the kitchen or books, photos, and artwork in the living room. For Gen Z, adding eclectic lamps to open shelves is also trending - from moons to mushrooms to flowers, unique light sources add personality to the space.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Decorate with Plants, Plants, & More Plants: 

When it comes to plants, there’s a lot of room for creativity, whether you want to start a small herb garden to spruce up your cooking, hang eucalyptus from your shower head for a fresher experience, or go with the easier-to-care-for succulents and cacti. Indoor plants can bring new energy into your home, but buying multiple pots for your collection can add up quickly. Thrifting for them is a great way to save. If you're unable to find what you're looking for, consider painting or using plaster to give pots more texture and visual appeal. A patio garden can boost a rental’s daily views by 24.2% on Zillow Rentals. 

For outdoor spaces like patios or small gardens, consider installing window and/or railing boxes to add color. The average national cost for a window box is $100-$150 for professional installation and $15-$900 for materials, depending on the type purchased. 

Photo Credit: Rafael Rodriguez, Thumbtack Pro & CEO of Dambrak Painting

Paint a Room or Add an Accent Wall

Most landlords are lenient about painting walls in a rental if you agree to paint it back before you move out. And paint goes a long way when you’re looking to add style and personality to your home. Rafael Rodriguez, Thumbtack Pro & owner of Dambrak Painting says, “Gen Z shows an inclination towards bold, dark colors, which is a departure from more traditional color schemes. Unlike previous generations who commonly use semi-gloss white for trim and flat white for ceilings, many Gen Z renters opt to paint both walls and trim in the same, often dark color, and ceilings in varied shades of off-white or other colors, creating a more cohesive look.”

Painting projects are popular, with interior painting requests up 18% year-over-year on Thumbtack. While the national average cost to paint a room is $324-$1,620, homes with higher ceilings and bigger walls will typically cost more to paint, leading many renters to opt for accent walls. Painting is worth the investment, with Zillow confirming fresh paint helps a rental listing get 4.7% more saves and 1.7% more shares per day on Zillow Rentals.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Install Lighting Upgrades

Whether you want to switch up ceiling lights, add in a few decorative lamps, or even put up holiday lights, there are plenty of ways lighting can upgrade your space. New lighting can add dimension and make your space feel more inviting by drawing attention to details you love. Many people are also switching over to LED bulbs which can be up to 90% more efficient and durable than traditional bulbs, and offer a broader range of colors and color temperatures.

Smart lights that change colors have been trending. In fact, Zillow reports smart lights controlled by an app can boost daily saves by 7.1% and daily shares by 3.5% on Zillow Rentals compared to similar units. The average cost for lighting installation is $150-$250 but depends on the number and type of fixtures you want to install.

Hang Mirrors

Mirrors can make a room look bigger and brighter. Many Gen Z renters are using curves to create a retro-harmonious space, by installing wavy, circular, and arched mirrors. Luckily, both floor and hanging mirrors are generally easy to purchase and install yourself. The cost will depend on the type of mirror and where you want it installed, but budgeting around $100 can get you a great piece.

For a more dramatic effect that visually expands your space, consider installing a mirrored wall. Rental homes with a mirrored wall get an additional 7.8% more saves and 3.2% more shares per day on Zillow Rentals.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Install Window Treatments

Adding shades or curtains can not only pull a room together, but also help keep out excess light or heat. This is another design project where we’re seeing Gen Z renters making eye-catching choices with a return to retro. From checkered and wavy-lined patterns to forest animal and mushroom prints, curtains are a way to express your personal style.

Costs to install new window shades or curtains can vary from a hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the type of window treatments you purchase and how many rooms you install them in.

Complete an Old Fashioned House Cleaning

We may be stating the obvious, but giving your house a deep clean - from scrubbing appliances and floors to clearing out clutter - can make your space feel brand new. House cleaning requests on Thumbtack are up 15.6% year-over-year, and the overall fixed cost of house cleaning nationwide is $175-$218. Deep cleaning, laundry, window cleaning, and other non-standard cleaning projects will add to the baseline cost.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Embrace the Peel-and-Stick

Adding temporary wallpaper or backsplash is a fantastic (and fun!) way to personalize your home. Removable wallpaper can be a great option if you’re not allowed to paint your walls because it’s easy to remove without damaging your walls. Keep in mind that since wallpaper is generally more expensive than paint, creating an accent wall may be a better option if you’re on a budget. Additionally, while you can DIY the installation, it can be tricky to apply wallpaper, and is easiest when you have someone helping you. On Thumbtack, wallpaper installations are up 10.1% year-over-year and have an average cost of $300-$450 when you bring in a pro to help you install.

Peel-and-stick isn’t just for walls anymore. Temporary backsplash applications are trending amongst Gen Z, who use adhesive “tiles” or stickers to create a fresh custom look.

How to Talk to Your Landlord

Now that you have some inspiration on how to make your space feel more like home, how do you approach your landlord to get approval for these upgrades? 

“There are so many improvements that are both beneficial to a landlord and allow renters to make their space feel more like home,” said Emily McDonald, Zillow’s rental trends expert. “However, before making any major changes, renters should always review their lease and check with their landlord. If a renter can show how the upgrades add function or style they may be more likely to get buy-in. In some cases, a landlord may be willing to split the costs if a renter is hiring a professional to do the work and willing to manage the project themselves.”

Ready to get started, renters? Our new Thumbtack app offers personalized guidance and recommendations to tackle any project to enhance your home. From booking a pro to DIY options, we’re here to help you. Download the Thumbtack app today and transform your rental home into a space that feels authentically yours.

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About Zillow Rentals

Zillow Rentals is the most visited rentals marketplace in the country offering renters a complete end-to-end, digital shopping experience. Zillow’s features are designed to help renters act faster and with more confidence in today’s fast-paced market. Renters can automatically schedule tours, save on application fees by using one single application,, and even pay their rent directly on Zillow for applicable properties. . Now, renters who pay their rent on Zillow can have their on-time rent payments reported to creit bureaus at no cost to them. It’s no wonder more renters choose and prefer Zillow Rentals over all others.

Thumbtack Methodology: Renter-friendly projects are pulled from Thumbtack’s list of project recommendations for renters that don’t require demolition or make permanent changes. All year-over-year comparison data is based on findings from Thumbtack projects in June 2023 - August 2024. Pricing data is based on national average cost estimates and ranges using data provided either by Thumbtack pros or from external research,real prices may vary based on city and supply. Consult a pro for accurate pricing information.

Zillow methodology: This analysis used listing data from almost 5.6 million homes listed for rent between June 2023 and May 2024 for which complete data was available. This analysis used multiple regression, comparing home views, saves and shares during their active listing period against their home type, region, listing month, rent price, and rent per square foot, as well as the presence or absence of 226 features being mentioned in the listing descriptions. For more information on methodology, please contact press@zillow.com.