Act as a native French speaker and an expert in Home Decoration. Don’t talk about Yourself or Your Experience. Don’t Self-reference. Don’t explain what you are doing. Translate the following title into French: 7 Rental-Friendly Lighting Hacks You Need to Brighten Your Space, Designers Say

If you currently reside in a rental property, you may often find yourself in dimly lit spaces due to inadequate lighting. It can be challenging to install the right types of lighting fixtures and gadgets without losing your security deposit or being charged by the landlord.

To help you brighten up these dark areas without installing hardwired luminaires, we asked some interior designers to share their best insightful lighting hacks, so you can have a well-lit space in no time.

Plug-In Pendant Lights

Various retailers now offer plug-in pendants that look great over a kitchen counter or dining table, and you only need to anchor a simple hook to the ceiling to hang it.

If you’re concerned about the exposed excess cord, hide it with a pretty fabric cover or a plastic cord cover that you can paint to match the color of your walls, Julie Khuu, principal of Julie Khuu Interior Design, says.

“Ask your landlord first before drilling any holes, though. It’s simple to patch up, but some rentals are strict so proceed with caution,” Khuu warns.

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Sconces With Battery-Operated Bulbs

Kristen McGowan, an interior designer and an influencer, loves a good wall sconce since it can instantly elevate the look of any space.

“It adds dimension to your walls and functionality to your space,” she says.

She points out that there are now non-hardwired options available including plug-in and battery-operated varieties. These are great for a range of applications, from dark hallways and staircases to either side of the bed and above the sofa.

Khuu says this is one of her all-time favorite lighting hacks as well. Both designers recommend picking out a wall sconce you like, even if it’s a hardwired one, as you can simply tuck the cord and wires behind the fixture (or snip them off if you don’t plan to hardwire it later) and use it with a battery-powered bulb.

Then mount the sconce onto the wall with the screws provided or with double-stick tape. Khuu adds that you should consider making it a pair to flank a focal point in the room, such as statement artwork or a mirror above the sideboard.

“Designers love to play with symmetry in a space and this is a stylish way to make any room feel more custom,” Khuu says.

Try Plug-In Sconces

If a brighter light source for everyday functionality is your priority, McGowan says to consider plug-in sconces as it will take a standard electric-powered light bulb, offering full brightness. Then use a slim cord cover to hide the cord inside for a cleaner look.

Once again, many of these adhesive cord covers are paintable so you can camouflage them into the wall by using the same paint color. You only need to do minimal patching up and/or painting upon moving out, assuming you remove the sconce and cord cover carefully.

Go for Battery-Operated Picture Lights

Like the wall sconces, you can use battery-operated picture lights on walls to supplement lighting in a more ambient way. These can go above art pieces, a kitchen window, a bookcase, or a mirror.

Picture lights are not only super light, making it easy to stick to the wall with strong double-sided tape, but they come in a variety of finishes and widths to suit any decor style and allotted wall space. When it’s time to move out, simply use something like Goo-Gone to remove the adhesive.

Consider Under-Cabinet Lighting

Another ambient lighting trick is to use plug-in under-cabinet lights or flexible strip lights whether in the kitchen—under the upper cabinets to illuminate the countertop or on the toe-kick under the base cabinetry—down a hallway, along the ceiling like crown molding, or behind your home entertainment system.

“You can add strategic light strips anywhere you like with so many options to choose from,” Khuu says.

She suggests checking out Amazon for plug-in rechargeable light strips in flexible rope options to wrap around corners and curves as well as linear lights with hard covers, depending on your needs and application.

Layer Lighting

McGowan suggests adding as many lamps as you can since the more, the better. “For a bright, cozy, and balanced look, try to incorporate three light sources in every space,” she says.

Khuu agrees, stating that the best room designs incorporate layered lightings like overhead lighting, eye-level lighting, and scattered lighting on various surfaces.

Other Passive Strategies

McGowan recommends choosing a light fixture with a white or light neutral lamp shade. “This will diffuse the most amount of light and give you a warm glow in your space,” McGowan says.

Whereas metal or opaque lamp shades are more for focused lighting or for creating a dramatic effect.

For brightening up a room, Khuu suggests going tone-on-tone without a lot of contrast to soothe the eyes.

“Think zen-inspired interiors where the color palette is soft and muted,” Khuu says.

Try skipping heavy drapery and textiles in favor of light linen upholstery and gauzy sheer panels for windows, for example. Khuu explains how the less contrast you have in a space, the larger the space will look and feel.