8 Renter-Friendly Shelves, No Drilling Required

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So, you've viewed a rental, fell in love with it, and moved in, only to find that it's severely lacking in storage space. Where will your books, toiletries, and knick knacks live? Will you have to resort to decluttering things that are important to you, or storing your essentials in baskets sprawled across your new home? Before you make attempts to rescind your security deposit, know that there is a solution that's as renter-friendly as it is functional: shelves.

We're not referring to the kind of shelves that'll wreck your walls (and make for one unhappy landlord). Rather, we're talking floating, free-standing, and countertop-friendly shelves that don't involve any drilling or holes. These shelving options are an ideal workaround for spaces that have little to no storage options, and they can maximize space in your home.

Searching for the best no-drill, renter-friendly shelves can be overwhelming, especially if you're not one to enjoy home shopping to begin with. From acrylic and wood to stackable and adjustable designs, the market is overflowing with options. Thankfully, we did the grunt work and combed through several retailers to scout the best no-drill shelves that'll fit every need, space, and budget.

Below, find eight of the best renter-friendly shelves that you'll be excited to use in your bedroom, kitchen, living room, and everywhere in between.

Best Affordable Renter-Friendly Shelf
amazon.com

Best Affordable Renter-Friendly Shelf

Oaprire Acrylic Floating Shelves ($20)

Sitting at an attractive price point of $20 for a two-pack, this floating acrylic shelf set can be hung in just about any room you need a little extra space. Each shelf holds up to seven pounds (enough for a candle and a small houseplant), and there's an opening at the bottom for a cord should you choose to put an electronic device on it.

Best part? You won't have to worry about damaging your walls since the shelves are held up by durable (and waterproof) adhesive tape.

Best Bathroom Renter-Friendly Shelf
amazon.com

Best Bathroom Renter-Friendly Shelf

Spirich Over The Toilet Storage Cabinet ($96)

The best part about this free-standing shelving option is that it utilizes an often overlooked area of the bathroom: above the toilet. We love this one in particular because it offers two methods of storage: exposed shelves for decor items and everyday essentials, and cabinet shelves for things you'd rather not keep out on display.

It's available in white and espresso brown (so it's bound to match any color palette) and features a minimalist design that'll complement different styles, from farmhouse to modern.

Best Kitchen Renter-Friendly Shelf
amazon.com

Best Kitchen Renter-Friendly Shelf

Vaehold Spice Rack Organizer ($30)

No kitchen cupboards? No problem. This five-tiered spice organizer lives on your countertop and acts as storage for any sauces, oils, or condiments you cook with or use often. The tiered shelves make it easy to see (and grab) what's displayed on each row — plus, the acrylic-wood combination is aesthetically-pleasing.

We love a good multi-use product as much as the next home-decor enthusiast, so sky is really the limit with this pick. You'll definitely want to grab one for your bathroom to store your perfume bottles, toiletries, and makeup.

Best Bedroom Renter-Friendly Shelf
westelm.com

Best Bedroom Renter-Friendly Shelf

West Elm Profile Bookcase ($499-998)

It's called a bookcase, but we think this staggered shelving unit is hardly just for books. Offering plenty of space to showcase things like candles, picture frames, decor items, and vases, you can also use this alongside a desk if you plan on doubling up your bedroom as a home office.

In any case, making use of vertical space is just one way to make a room appear bigger (and, if you do choose to store books on it, it'll keep them at eye-level). We're fans of the solid iron finish and think it gives this piece a sleek appearance. Another thing we love? Because it's not a leaning bookcase, you won't have to worry about securing it to the wall.

Best Closet Renter-Friendly Shelf
amazon.com

Best Closet Renter-Friendly Shelf

StorageWorks 6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizers ($26)

If your closet consists of nothing but rods, give it an upgrade with this hanging shelving system. The beauty of this storage solution is that depending on your closet layout, you can use it as two separate, three-shelf organizers, or attach them to use as one, six-shelf organizer.

Either way, the shelves are made out of sturdy plastic boards that can hold up to 50 pounds in total — perfect for your hats, sweaters, tank tops, and scarves. The mesh pockets on the sides are also a nice addition and helpful for storing awkward-shaped items, like belts.

Best Living Room Renter-Friendly Shelf
target.com

Best Living Room Renter-Friendly Shelf

Tangkula TV Stand ($130)

The space underneath your TV is precious real estate that's just begging for an entertainment center with open shelving like this available at Target. Use it as a base for your TV and to store board games, books, audio equipment, or just about anything you need at arm's reach.

We like that this one features adjustable shelves on its sides in addition to open shelving in the front, perfect for maximizing space in a smaller living room. This pick also gets brownie points for the cable holes on the back shelves. Who else can't stand the look of unsightly cords?

Best Corner Renter-Friendly Shelf
amazon.com

Best Corner Renter-Friendly Shelf

Addlon 5-Tier Corner Shelf Floor Lamp ($80, originally $90)

Some people think corners are a waste of space. To them we say: corner shelves. This one from Addlon is quite the over-achiever, serving as a storage solution and a floor lamp all in one. You can use the four tiers to house standard items you'd put on a shelf, but because this also has built-in ports, it doubles as a phone charger or outlet for your essential oil diffuser. As for the light, choose between clear white, cool white, and warm white depending on the mood.

Best Magnetic Renter-Friendly Shelf
amazon.com

Best Magnetic Renter-Friendly Shelf

Magnetic Shelf For Refrigerator ($28, originally $40)

If you're really pressed for cabinet and countertop space, opt for this magnetic shelving rack. It supports up to seven pounds, making it ideal for storing your vitamins and most-used condiments on your refrigerator. You can also use it on the side of your washing machine to place your cleaning products. This shelf option comes in two colors (black and white) to match a wide range of home styles.


Michelle Rostamian is a freelance beauty writer who has contributed to POPSUGAR, Byrdie, and HYPEBAE.