Published on August 4, 2022 | Last Updated on August 12, 2025

If you rent or even own your home and can’t replace the existing floor, there are still easy ways to refresh the space. In this tiny 5ft by 5ft rental kitchen, I used a temporary flooring solution that lays over the existing surface. This quick, renter-friendly floor covering completely changed the look without damaging what’s underneath.

I hadn’t planned initially to update the floor, but after upgrading everything else, the dated and dingy pink tiles stood out and just didn’t go with the new look of the kitchen.

So how to cover up an ugly floor without removing it, and in a way that can easily be removed when moving out? A quick search online revealed the answer: loose lay vinyl planks!

The planks can be laid on top of an existing floor without any adhesive or fasteners, making them ideal for renters or a homeowner that needs a temporary solution to cover up an ugly floor. The manufacturer does recommend that the existing floor be smooth but I had to see if this would work on top of the existing tiles.

The process of installing the loose lay vinyl planks was very easy and doesn’t require any special tools. I first came up with a staggered pattern and luckily I only needed one box to cover the entire floor.

Then I scored the planks to the correct length with a utility knife and straight edge.

To complete the cut, I bent the planks to snap the pieces apart.

For corners and awkward spots, I used a cardboard template to trace out the shape I needed and then used the utility knife to cut the tile. The smaller pieces were a bit more challenging to bend so I used my utility knife to finish the cut instead of bending the pieces.

I am very happy with the end result. The planks lay flat on top of the existing flooring and stay in place. So glad I decided to give this product a try – it’s a bit pricey but so worth it to not have to look at that ugly floor anymore!

Plus it achieved a fresh new look that’s completely move-out friendly. Along with the method I’ve shared here, you could also consider interlocking foam mats with a wood-grain finish for comfort and style, modular carpet tiles that use removable adhesive dots, or a large area rug with a non-slip pad to cover a bigger space. I haven’t personally tested removable peel-and-stick tile options, but I did find one that claims to be removable: MORCART removable floor tiles. If you’ve tried them (or any other renter-safe option), I’d love to hear your experience — please share in the comments so we can all learn from each other.

If you want to see this project, along with the entire makeover, check out this this video for lots of ideas. 11 to be exact!

If you’re interested in another renter-friendly temporary ugly floor cover up idea, you can check out this project I did in my apartment entryway. What I used will surprise you!