As a renter, you have limited options when it comes to customizing your rental properties. In most cases, you can’t tear up the carpet, but you can certainly cover it. You might do this if you suffer from allergies, want to minimize damage and protect your rental deposit, or simply want a flooring option that matches your décor. The following tips will teach you how to easily cover carpet in a rental property.
Why cover carpet in a rental?
The reasons you may want to cover the carpet in a rental vary from person to person, but here are a few of the common reasons:
- Personal style and preference – It can be hard to make a space feel like your own when the style doesn’t match your tastes. If you are feeling like the aesthetic of your rental isn’t up to par you might want to consider starting with the carpet.
- Hygiene and allergies – Carpets can carry dust and allergens that can be especially harmful to someone with a sensitive nose. Covering your carpet can help minimize some of these affects.
- Noise and soundproofing – Carpet can be a great barrier for noise, but if your carpet is warn out, it may not be doing its job to the full potential.
Considerations before covering your carpet in a rental
Before you go ahead and cover the carpet in your apartment, you’ll want to do the following:
- Check with your landlord or property manager
- Review your lease agreement
- Evaluate the cost and your budget
- Consider durability and maintenance
- Make a plan for installation and removal
Different ways to cover carpet in a rental
1. Put down an area rug or runner
Covering carpet in a rental with an area rug or runner is probably the simplest solution, as you just need to buy it and lay it down. Area rugs and runners probably won’t cover all the carpet in your rental property, but large ones can cover most of your high-traffic areas.
There are many beautiful rugs and runners available in stores and online, which you can easily roll up and take with you once your lease ends. If the old carpet shows around the perimeter of your rooms, consider options that coordinate with your existing flooring. You can go bold if the carpet is neutral, but you might want to choose a subtle rug or runner if the carpet is bright or patterned.
Quality rugs and runners can be expensive, so if you’re on a budget you might prefer making your own from carpet remnants. As a bonus, you can cut your remnants to fit the rooms in your rental perfectly. Use seam tape and carpet binding to bind the edges and prevent the carpet from unraveling.
2. Lay down a canvas floor cloth
Canvas can also be a great temporary flooring option for your rental. These floorcloths can make floors warm, like carpet does, without collecting dust. A damp mop is all it takes to keep your floorcloth clean. You can buy a patterned canvas or customize a plain canvas with latex or acrylic paint to match your décor. Measure the width and length of each room to calculate its area. Add a little extra fabric to account for hemming and shrinkage.
You’ll want to use preshrunk canvas or shrink it yourself to make sure your floor cloth doesn’t shrink with mopping or spills. If your canvas needs shrinking, soak a large sponge in hot water and rub it onto the cloth’s surface to wet it down. After soaking one side, turn the cloth over and apply the wet sponge to the underside. Lay the canvas flat and leave it for a day or two to dry. It should shrink several inches on every side.
If you bought plain canvas, you could paint it after you shrink it. Once you’re happy with how your floorcloth looks, cut it to size. Make sure to leave 2 inches on each side for a hem to prevent fraying. Stitch your hems, then lay your floor cloth down over the carpet.
3. Choose peel-and-stick flooring solutions
Peel-and-stick flooring options simply peel away from a backing sheet and stick down over the top of the carpet. While they’ll stay put during your lease, you can easily remove them and feel confident they won’t leave residues when you move out. You should still get your landlord’s approval, though, just in case any damage does occur, as these are semi-permanent options.
Peel-and-stick carpet tiles have a soft, warm finish, while peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are smooth, so you can easily wipe both tiles clean. They also don’t attract allergens like carpet tiles can. Peel-and-stick vinyl sheets are like the peel-and-stick vinyl tiles, but you can cut them to size and place them down to cover an entire room’s carpet.
Start sticking in one corner of your room and work your way out according to the instructions on the pack. You can trim the tiles if whole ones don’t fit once you get to the other edges.
4. Lay down interlocking floorboards or tiles
Interlocking floorboards or floor tiles lock into place like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Options include rubber, foam, and carpet tiles and laminate and vinyl floorboards. Prints on floorboards and floor tiles often make them look like more permanent flooring solutions, such as stone tiles and hardwood floorboards. As interlocking floorboards and floor tiles are also semi-permanent, ask your landlord before you lay them down to make sure they approve. For instance, some landlords worry about hardwood floorboards trapping moisture and causing mold if you spill drinks. If your landlord objects, you should find a less permanent solution.
Each type of floorboard and floor tile has its own benefits and drawbacks. Some options simply lock into place, while others need gluing. The latter is not the best for rentals. Laminate planks have a wooden core, so they’re susceptible to moisture and humidity. If you’re in a steamy climate or a bit accident-prone, vinyl planks that resist moisture damage may suit you better. Also, carpet tiles feel warm underfoot, while foam and rubber tiles are a little cooler. Your tastes and budgets may also influence your decision.
Some installation kits suggest removing the baseboards before laying down interlocking flooring, but you shouldn’t do this to cover carpet in rental properties. Simply start laying the pieces down in one corner of your room and work your way out from this point, following the instructions on the pack to lock the pieces together. Cut boards or tiles to fit as required near the edges if whole ones won’t fit, or use our next solution to cover what’s left.
5. Get creative with furniture and fixtures
If your temporary floor covering doesn’t cover all the original carpet, you could cover it with furniture and fixtures. Couches, bookcases, and large planter pots can all cover up a substantial amount of carpet. Make sure you lay down a waterproof carpet runner before decorating with plants to protect the carpet.
Frequently asked questions
If you use the right materials and follow proper installation techniques, covering your carpet in a rental should not damage it. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your landlord or property manager before making any changes to your unit.
No, you should not cover your rental carpet with wall-to-wall carpeting as it is a permanent change and may violate your lease agreement. Most landlords require tenants to keep the original flooring intact, and wall-to-wall carpeting can also be difficult and expensive to remove.
To remove any residue left from removable carpet tape, use a mild solvent such as rubbing alcohol or adhesive remover. Apply the solvent to a clean cloth and gently rub the affected area until the residue is gone. Be sure to test the solvent on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet first to ensure it does not damage the fibers.
Yes, when choosing a carpet cover for a rental, consider the size, shape, and color that best fits your space and personal style. Additionally, make sure the carpet cover is easy to clean and maintain to avoid any additional charges when you move out.
It’s important to review your lease agreement to check if there are any specific restrictions regarding covering the carpet. Some landlords may have policies in place, so it’s best to communicate with your landlord or property management to ensure compliance.
To prevent damage to the underlying carpet, you can use non-slip rug pads or carpet tape designed for temporary use. These products can help secure the carpet cover in place without leaving any residue or causing damage when removed.
If the carpet cover causes damage to the underlying carpet or flooring, you may be held responsible for the repairs. It’s essential to use appropriate materials and ensure proper installation to minimize the risk of damage.
It’s generally a good idea to inform your landlord or property management about your intention to cover the carpet. This allows for transparency and can help avoid any misunderstandings or potential issues down the line.
Yes, unless otherwise specified by your landlord, it’s typically expected that you remove any carpet covers or modifications made to the rental before moving out. This ensures that the rental is returned to its original condition.
Final thoughts
Covering your carpet in a rental doesn’t have to be a difficult or expensive task. With the right tools, materials, and knowledge, you can easily update your living space without violating your lease or damaging the property. Before making any changes, be sure to check with your landlord or property manager and understand your lease agreement.
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