Personalizing your rental home can be equally artistic and rewarding. However, as a renter, it is essential to do so with as little damage to the home’s walls as you can. Security deposit refunds often depend, largely on returning the property in the same condition it was in when you moved in. This is why knowing how to hang pictures while minimizing damage can be helpful. This is particularly true if your Waco rental home has plaster walls. If you are getting ready to hang artwork, photographs, or another type of wall décor in your rental home, consider utilizing one or more available options to minimize holes and keep your security deposit safe.
Contingent on the age of your rental home, you could have either drywall or plaster walls. Even though they may have the same look under a coat or two of paint, there are several significant differences. Plaster walls are common in older homes because of the popularity of the technique in years past. But plaster cracks and crumbles easily, especially if you are attempting to hammer in a nail. Drywall, then again, is far more common in newer homes because it is less expensive and easier to install. Drywall can hold up to some careful hammering but may likewise break apart under rough treatment.
With all the possible circumstances that could go wrong, educating yourself about the best ways to hang your wall décor is very helpful. For artwork or pictures weighing fewer than five pounds, consider using an adhesive hook, tape, or even poster putty instead of nails. Adhesive hooks come in several different sizes and styles and work great on both plaster and drywall. Many types of adhesive hooks are also removable, designed to pull free from the wall without leaving any damage behind. This is also typically true of poster putty. Most of the time, either product will help you beautify any way you’d like, with as many lightweight items as you’d like, without creating a large number of holes or causing other damage.
Hanging heavier artwork and décor can be a bit more of a challenge. Even though you can try using heavy-duty adhesive tape intended for heavy or industrial use, you may still need to make at least one hole in the wall to install a hanger capable of bearing the item’s weight. In both plaster and drywall walls, items between 5 and 10 pounds can be securely hung with a nail hammered in at an angle. For items over 10 pounds, however, it is advisable to use a stud finder and a screw anchor to install a hook directly into a stud. Neither plaster nor drywall will support weighty items unless they are screwed directly into a wooden stud.
Of course, there are other ways to use heavy décor items such as placing them on furniture instead of hanging them on the wall. For example, large framed artwork could be set atop of dresser or bookshelf, creating a damage-free decorative touch to any room. Console tables are another excellent choice for displaying photos and home décor.
Personalizing your space is a great way to feel at home in your rental. But doing so in a way that ensures the return of your security deposit can seem like a challenge. However, by knowing your options and getting creative with your walls, you can easily manage to do both.
Have questions about security deposits? Wondering how you deal with a tenant who is upset by the rules in your lease? Need some guidance in creating a solid lease in the first place? Real Property Management Talent has an entire team of property management experts ready to help. Contact us online or call us at 254-401-0400 today.
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