One in three Australians rent. And one of the most frustrating parts of renting is living with blank, beige walls — because every nail hole risks your bond and a headache at inspection time.
The good news: the range of genuinely good-looking damage-free wall decor has expanded massively. These 12 ideas all work in rentals, all protect your bond, and none of them look like a temporary fix.
1. Command Strips and Hooks (The Foundation)
3M Command tuckara.com/post/best-home-products-under-100-australia" title="Best Home Products Under Australia (2026)">products are the backbone of renter wall decorating. The strips hold real weight (up to 7.2kg for the large size), remove cleanly without leaving residue, and work on plaster, painted walls, tiles and timber. Use them to hang framed art, mirrors, shelves and almost anything else.
Where to buy: Bunnings, Woolworths, Target, Amazon AU — $8–$20 depending on size and type.
Key tip: Always follow the removal instructions (pull straight down, slowly). Rushing the removal is the main cause of paint damage.
2. Removable Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Removable wallpaper has come a long way. Modern peel-and-stick options come in genuinely beautiful patterns — terracotta textures, linen looks, bold prints, subtle botanicals — and remove cleanly when your lease ends. You can do a feature wall in a couple of hours with no tools.
Where to buy: Kmart ($12–$18 per roll), Amazon AU (wide range), Temple & Webster.
Key tip: Test a small piece in an inconspicuous spot first. In very old rentals, paint can be fragile and even removable wallpaper can lift paint when taken down.
3. Floating Shelves With Command Strips
Kmart sells floating shelves that pair perfectly with heavy-duty Command strips. A row of three shelves creates serious impact — use them for books, plants, candles and small objects. It looks like proper, drilled-in shelving from a few steps back.
Where to buy: Kmart shelves ($8–$25), heavy-duty Command strips from Bunnings.
4. Large Tapestries and Fabric Panels
A large woven tapestry or fabric panel hung from a wooden dowel and Command hooks covers a significant amount of wall and adds warmth and texture that art doesn't. Works particularly well in bedrooms and living rooms with high ceilings.
Where to buy: Amazon AU, ASOS, Etsy Australia — $30–$80 for a quality piece.
5. Lean-to Art and Mirrors
The easiest damage-free wall decor: lean large art prints, frames and mirrors against the wall rather than hanging them. A large mirror leaning in a corner makes any room look bigger and costs nothing to install or remove. Style with a plant and small objects at the base for a deliberate, curated look.
6. Gallery Wall With Washi Tape
Washi tape (Japanese paper tape) holds printed photos and lightweight prints directly on the wall without damage. Create a grid or freeform gallery of printed photos, postcards, art prints and notes. Very low cost, completely removable, and personalised in a way mass-produced decor can't be.
Where to buy: Kmart, Officeworks, Daiso — $3–$8 for a roll.
7. Curtain Rod Trick for Fabric Art
Hang a tension rod in a window frame or between two walls (no drilling required) and hang fabric, sheers, or printed fabric panels from it. Creates a layered, room-dividing effect in open plan spaces and adds warmth to windows without touching the walls at all.
Where to buy: Kmart tension rods, $6–$15.
8. Picture Rail Hooks (Check First)
Many older Australian rentals have picture rails — the horizontal moulding strip near the ceiling. If your rental has them, picture rail hooks let you hang anything without touching the walls at all. Ask your property manager if you're not sure.
9. Macrame Wall Hangings
Macrame (knotted rope art) adds texture and warmth, hangs from a single Command hook, and works in almost any room. They've gone from very trendy to genuinely classic. Good quality ones from Kmart or Etsy look expensive and cost $20–$60.
Where to buy: Kmart ($15–$35), Etsy Australia (handmade, $30–$80).
10. Window Film for Privacy and Pattern
Peel-and-stick window film adds privacy, filters light, and introduces pattern (frosted, geometric, floral) without touching the walls. Removes cleanly with a bit of warmth from a hairdryer. Particularly useful in bathrooms and street-facing rooms.
Where to buy: Bunnings, Amazon AU — $15–$40 per roll.
11. Printed Canvas Panels
Large printed canvas panels (not stretched canvases, which are heavy — panel prints that sit flush) can be leaned or lightly tacked with removable adhesive. Canvases in the 60x90cm+ range make a statement and cost $30–$80 at Temple & Webster or on Amazon AU.
12. Dried Botanicals in a Vase
Not technically wall decor — but a large vase of dried pampas grass, dried eucalyptus or dried banksia in the corner of a room creates the same visual effect as a wall piece. No wall contact required, completely portable, and genuinely beautiful. Kmart sells dried botanicals and tall vases for $15–$40 total.
Can you put things on walls in a rental in Australia?
Most Australian tenancy agreements allow a reasonable number of small picture hooks (typically nails under 2mm in diameter). For anything larger, removable Command strips are the safest option as they leave no damage when removed correctly. Always check your specific lease agreement and state tenancy laws.
Do Command strips damage rental walls in Australia?
When removed correctly (pulling the tab straight down slowly), Command strips do not damage walls and leave no residue. The key is following the removal instructions carefully — removing too quickly or at the wrong angle is the main cause of any damage. Always remove them at the end of your tenancy, not when they're cold.
What is the best removable wallpaper for Australian rentals?
Kmart's peel-and-stick wallpaper range is the most accessible and affordable option in Australia, starting at around $12 per roll. Amazon AU has a much wider pattern range if you want something specific. Always test a small strip in a hidden spot first, as paint quality varies between rentals and older paint can occasionally lift when wallpaper is removed.