Can't Paint Walls!

[pinkO]

So I am trying to decorate this new apartment, and, like most folks who rent, I can't paint my walls. Yet every freaking decorating book has "paint your walls" as a suggestion.

1. That's so annoying! Especially in "Decorating on the Cheap" style books! Have these people never lived in an apartment?

2. Any ideas? It's hard to find books on NOT painting! I have seen some stuff on starching fabric onto the walls. Has anyone tried this?

Thanks!
~J

[Craft Forums]

[rachel]

I'm facing this problem too - I'm going to move into a starkly white studio apt next month. I did find one really good suggestion somewhere. it was to blow up a photo you like at kinkos into mural size - either true mural or like a pixelated version. I think I'm going to try this or get a friend with access to a photo lab to take a series of poster size photos for my wall.

[auclaire]

I've lived in rentals forever...my two favourite quick-fixes were stapling fabric "stripes" from the ceiling to hang to the floor...about two feet wide, and slightly gathered...and making framed latice panels and painting them. Fabric sales rock, however if you wish to learn from my terribly expensive mistake...an entirely fabric covered room is somewhat claustriphobic. Especially a small room.

[chubbybirds]

I have one long wall completely covered by kid's drawings and paintings. It looks really colorful and funky and almost quiltish.

[sarabell]

how about wood paneling and ceilings not unlike the ceiling in the bowling alley on the "Big Lebowski"?!?

[for_esme]

argh! i have this problem, too. i was actually thinking about posting a very similar thread.

right now boyfriend and i just have music posters and such on the walls... but i'm starting to dislike the way it looks like a dorm room. ;-/

[Selah]

I cut some nonfade paper into different size circles and put them together, can't explain it but think cocktail olive. I ran the circles randomly through a big lamenator and came up with these really funky and colorful sheets. I put grommets in the top and hung them in my son's (3yrs) room because when can't paint either.

Also, I've always wanted to get some of these:

http://www.whatisblik.com/sg.html

[Sewlittletime]

OOH! Those blik wall graphics are totally cool!

[for_esme]

i like those blik graphics, too! maybe i'll save for some next paycheck :)

[NAP]

What about wallies?

http://www.wallies.com