Inventive Renter: Negotiating Around the No-Drill, No-Nail Rule

Last week we took a peek at ways to decorate your walls without breaking your lease's no-drill, no-nail policy. In particular, we looked at clever little stick-up products that sub for regular picture hooks. Today we continue this topic, but focus on ways to decorate the walls themselves.

Strategy 1: Negotiate! Persuade your landlord to compromise. Suggest a new paint job for the living room (or the whole apartment/house) in exchange for agreeing to the no-nail, no-drill policy. If he/she hesitates, offer to let them pre-approve your color choice.

Ask permission to install a gallery-style picture hanging rail. Emphasize that you would pay for and install the rail all by yourself, but that you would generously leave it behind for the next tenant.

The key to success here may be all in how you pitch it. Don't act like you're asking a favor of your landlord. Do not get whiney. Do sell your suggestions as improvements that will benefit the property owner.

Strategy 2: If you get nowhere, give up graciously. Then get creative! Introducing: wall stickers. Peel and stick wall stickers by RoomMates are very cool. Best of all, they offer the advantage of easy, no-residue removal.

Designs range from extremely chic (I'm loving the "Class-A-Peel" design pictured above) to super-kid-friendly (check out the "Thomas and Friends" extra large wall mural). The "Deco Frames" design is particularly lovely, with its suggestion of ornate wall mirrors or gilt picture frames.

Peel and stick wall stickers can be purchased directly from RoomMates, and from sites like Sticker Giant and The Find.

But don't stop there. There is endless decorating inspiration to be found on the Web. Thank you, AOL decorating experts: I love Kelly Edwards' "Decorate Walls Without Paint" video clip!

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