How to Protect Your Floor in a Rental Apartment

How to Protect Your Floor in a Rental Apartment

Even people who have their own place often struggle to decorate it to their liking, and we all know how difficult it is to find a good apartment for rent.

Even if you do manage to find the one whose size and price are convenient enough for you, there is always the fact that you can't actually go out and decorate it the way you'd like to.

Having terrible floors in a place is often a deal-breaker, but it doesn't mean there is nothing you can do about it.

Here are a few ways to help you deal with problematic floors in your rented apartment:

Foam tiles

Foam floor tiles most likely evoke memories of different gyms you've been to or perhaps baby rooms, but this doesn't have to be the case.

On the other hand, these amazing cushy squares are unbelievably convenient because you're able to lock them into place and not bother to use any form of glue or adhesive.

The best thing is that foam tiles can be used in different rooms in the house, including the ones with a lot of foot traffic such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Still, you might want to think about using them in your bedroom because there are plenty of brands that have a nice aesthetic, or you might want to pick a cheerful design that would go well in kids' room.

Carpet tiles

If many throw rugs piled up on top of each other aren't exactly what you had in mind, but you'd still want that wall-to-wall carpet look, you could opt for carpet tiles.

What makes carpet tiles popular is the variety of prices and designs to choose from - there are tiles that literally go from the cheapest price you can imagine.

Another convenient thing is that many such tiles already have adhesive on the back which means you'll save some money by not having to buy adhesive separately.

Having carpet tiles also means that you'll be able to replace any damaged ones without having to remove others, which is virtually impossible to do with a carpet.

Special mats

Mats are amazing because they are easy to install and maintain, and if you're spending a lot of time in your living room or your kitchen, you might opt for specialized mats instead.

Not only do such mats look good and protect your floors, but at the same time, they help your feet and back.

This is one of the reasons why many business owners choose to install mats made of closed cell foam, and you could take a leaf out of their book and place such mats onto your apartment floors.

The surface of these mats has a ribbed pattern which is also a great way to prevent slipping, and this trait makes these mats perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.

Make sure that the underside of the mat is also flat so that it can stick to the floor better.

Throw rugs

For a number of people, wall-to-wall carpeting would be the best and the most convenient option, yet such carpets are often rather expensive and installing them is probably more hassle than you're ready to go through.

On the other hand, that doesn't mean that you should give up on the thought - you should try improvising instead.

If you have the means, try layering a few throw rugs across the room - not only will the effect be the same, but you can add more character to the room as well.

If you choose differently colored rugs, the room will have a distinctive bohemian look so many people love.

Laminate

For those who want to have the look of good old hardwood floors but don't have the means, laminate boards are the next best thing.

Even though laminate is far from the real feel of hardwood, it's convenient, affordable, and easy to maintain.

They are also easy to install - the pieces click together easily and you don't even have to bother with the existing floor in the apartment either. This is, of course, if the floor isn't carpeted, because placing laminate over a carpet will often result in mold.

In addition, you should check to see if you can place your chosen laminate in so-called "wet" rooms, such as kitchen and bathroom because there are some that don't stand moisture.

Stick-on vinyl tiles

If you're on the budget and don't want to end up bankrupt after you finish with the floors, you might want to get your hands on some peel-and-stick vinyl tiles.

Not only are these affordable, but they're incredibly easy to install as well, and they can make your apartment floors look much more professional than before.

Another great thing is that you can easily find pre-cut squares in a variety of colors and combine them to make a room more playful and inviting or choose simple black-and-white ones if you're aiming for a monochrome look of the room.

Even though most manufacturers state that stick-on vinyl tiles won't cause any damage to the floors, it stands to reason that you test the tiles in a discreet place before you install them.

Proper cleaning

If your rented apartment had laminate or hardwood floors and you don't want to cover them up, you should learn the proper way to clean and maintain them so that they stay in good condition for the duration of your stay.

Make sure you vacuum at least once a week, and don't mop as often because water is terrible for hardwood.

If you're using a floor cleaner, make sure it's safe for hardwood, or try making your own using warm water, some dish detergent, and a bit of white vinegar.

If there are any stains, you might want to learn the proper way to get rid of different stains without damaging the wood or your landlord will be upset.

Conclusion

Even if the floor of your rented apartment makes you want to scream in frustration, you should never do anything without talking to your landlord first.

Not only will they have every right to get mad otherwise, but they might even decide to break off your contract or worse - sue you.

Fortunately, there are less permanent but still effective ways to improve the look of the floors in your apartment, and you only need to decide how much time and money you're willing to invest in this project.