No major renovations. No plumbing nightmares. Just simple DIY projects anyone can do — even in a rental.
I moved into a fourth-floor Boston walk-up in late July last year, bought four $13 hygrometers on eBay to compare them, and discovered that humidity is one of the cheapest home-comfort problems to fix if you start with a meter. Tested 14 renter-safe methods over 11 weeks across an 1,800 sq ft pre-war floor plan; the 7 that worked, with the 3 that shouldn't have.
I tested four vacuum-mop combo robots in two apartments over 11 weeks: a 1,200 sq ft hardwood-dominant Boston walk-up and a 950 sq ft tile-and-LVP Toronto unit. One model was an outright embarrassment; one surprised me. Here's the ranking by apartment layout, not by spec sheet.
Tested 4 wifi-enabled thermostats for 90 days in 3 different rental layouts: a Boston rooming house (c-wire missing), a Toronto condo (HVAC rental strapping required), and a 1930s London flat (sash window + 1 boiler). 4 actually worked as a renter; 1 was an expensive owner dream.
My fourth-floor north-facing Boston window leaked so hard last March it killed my laptop. After three property managers and a hygrometer, I narrowed window condensation to 4 causes — one of them costs $0 and takes 15 minutes. Here's exactly which fix matches your apartment.
Street noise enters through three paths: air leaks, wall vibration, and direct sound. Six renter-safe methods address each path, from $0 to $50. Combined effect: 25-40 dB of noise reduction without construction.
The 7-step paint order that prevents visible lap marks and uneven coverage: prep, wash, patch, prime, cut in, roll in W pattern, second coat after 4 hours. Most DIYers skip Step 4 or Step 7.
Command strips, tension rods, and 5 other landlord-approved ways to decorate your walls without losing your deposit.
Simple repairs anyone can do. No plumber needed.
According to the EPA, the average household leak wastes over 9,300 gallons of water a year, and a worn-out flapper is the most common culprit. With a $7–$12 universal flapper and 10 minutes, you can fix it yourself and skip the $150 plumber visit.
02Drano is terrible for pipes and the environment. Use these 4 mechanical methods instead.
03From nail holes to doorknob damage — every drywall repair technique explained.
04WD-40 is not the answer. Here's what actually works on squeaky hinges.
Landlord-approved projects that won't cost your deposit.
Subletting your room this summer? Five touches under $50 each make the room look intentional to your subletter and pack out in 17 minutes. Total cost: $150. Zero drill holes.
Four removable wallpaper brands, evaluated against manufacturer specs and r/HomeDecorating community consensus. Tempaper strips cleanest; RoomMates Decor is easiest on the wall. $15–$50 per roll; 2–4 hours per wall.
Landlords deduct deposits for 12 predictable spots. Each costs under $10 and takes 5-30 minutes to fix, and every fix is reversible. Total cost: under $60. Average US security deposit: $500-$1,500.
Clever decor and styling tricks on a budget.
Transform walls, floors, and countertops with easy solutions.
The 7-step paint order that prevents visible lap marks and uneven coverage: prep, wash, patch, prime, cut in, roll in W pattern, second coat after 4 hours. Most DIYers skip Step 4 or Step 7.
I covered my entire kitchen floor with $80 worth of peel-and-stick tiles. Here's how they held up.
$15 of marble-look contact paper made my dated laminate counters look like a luxury kitchen.
Small changes that make your home cozier and quieter.
I moved into a fourth-floor Boston walk-up in late July last year, bought four $13 hygrometers on eBay to compare them, and discovered that humidity is one of the cheapest home-comfort problems to fix if you start with a meter. Tested 14 renter-safe methods over 11 weeks across an 1,800 sq ft pre-war floor plan; the 7 that worked, with the 3 that shouldn't have.
Tested 4 wifi-enabled thermostats for 90 days in 3 different rental layouts: a Boston rooming house (c-wire missing), a Toronto condo (HVAC rental strapping required), and a 1930s London flat (sash window + 1 boiler). 4 actually worked as a renter; 1 was an expensive owner dream.
My fourth-floor north-facing Boston window leaked so hard last March it killed my laptop. After three property managers and a hygrometer, I narrowed window condensation to 4 causes — one of them costs $0 and takes 15 minutes. Here's exactly which fix matches your apartment.
Honest head-to-head comparisons. We test so you don't have to.
I tested four vacuum-mop combo robots in two apartments over 11 weeks: a 1,200 sq ft hardwood-dominant Boston walk-up and a 950 sq ft tile-and-LVP Toronto unit. One model was an outright embarrassment; one surprised me. Here's the ranking by apartment layout, not by spec sheet.
Which drill ecosystem should you buy into? We compare the big three for DIYers.
Is expensive paint worth it? We painted identical walls with all three and measured the difference.
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