Lamps without drilling: The best solutions for rental apartments

Battery lights are the ideal choice if you want to create targeted light accents in your rental apartment – completely without drilling or permanent installation. Whether for a cozy bedside lamp, indirect light in the living room, or a flexible pendant light without drilling, these cordless lights offer maximum flexibility and can be placed exactly where they are needed.

Thanks to their rechargeable battery, they do not require a permanent power connection, so unsightly cables or sockets are not in the way. Especially for cabinet lighting, shelf lights, or decorative wall lamps without drilling, battery lights are an elegant and simple solution.

Possible applications:

•  Bedside lamps without drilling
  Perfect for soft light by the bed – simply set up or attach with adhesive pads.
• Attach pendant lights without drilling
  Light battery-operated pendant lights can be mounted on the ceiling with adhesive hooks or magnets and provide stylish lighting above the dining table or in the reading corner.
• Cabinet and shelf lighting
  LED battery spots or light strips showcase bookshelves, wardrobes, or open kitchen shelves beautifully.
• Indirect lighting for living room & hallway
  Dimmable lights or battery-operated lights with motion sensors are ideal for cozy accents in the living area or as soft night lighting in the hallway.

Why are battery-operated lights perfect for accent lighting?

Advantages of battery-operated lights for decorative lighting:

•  No drilling or screws required – ideal for rental apartments
• Wireless & flexible use – from bedside lamps to pendant lights without drilling
• Rechargeable & energy-saving – long-lasting batteries, often with USB charging
• Smart features – many models are dimmable or controllable via app

Advantages:

• Quick & easy installation: Installed in just a few minutes – perfect for spontaneous interior design.
• Suitable for various types of lamps: From LED panels,wall lights  to lightceiling lights .
• Maximum flexibility: If you want to relocate your lamp, many adhesive solutions can be easily removed.
• Quick & easy installation: Installed in just a few minutes – perfect for spontaneous interior design.
•  Suitable for various types of lamps: From LED panels,wall lights  to lightceiling lights .
•  Maximum flexibility: If you want to relocate your lamp, many adhesive solutions can be easily removed.
  
  

Not every lamp can be easily glued. Particularly suitable are:

• LED panels & LED strips: Ideal for adhesive mounting due to their low weight.
• Flat ceiling lights: Especially modern, lightweight models with a large surface area adhere optimally.
• Small wall lights: Perfect for decorative accent lighting.
• Battery-operated lights: Since they do not require a power connection, they can be flexibly attached using adhesive techniques.

Tip: When making your selection, pay attention to the weight of the light – the lighter, the better the adhesive mounting holds!

Step 1: Prepare the surface

To ensure the lamp holds securely, the surface must be clean, dry, and grease-free.

• Smooth, dry & stable: Ideal surfaces include glass, tiles, metal, or painted wood surfaces.
•  Cleaning: Use a grease-dissolving cleaner (e.g., glass cleaner or isopropanol) to remove dust and dirt.
• Rough walls? Adhesive techniques often do not hold optimally here – in this case, mounting adhesive is the better choice.

Step 2: Choose the right mounting method

Option 1: Adhesive pads & double-sided mounting tape

• For light LED lights, LED strips & small wall lamps
• Immediately loadable, removable without residue

Here's how:

1. Stick adhesive pads or double-sided mounting tape on the back of the lamp.
2. Remove the protective film and press the lamp to the desired location.
3. Press firmly for a few seconds to ensure a good bond.

Tip: 3M adhesive pads or Tesa Powerstrips provide particularly strong hold!

Option 2: Mounting glue for a permanent attachment

• For medium to heavier lamps or rough surfaces
• High load capacity, holds even on uneven walls

Here's how:

1. Apply a thin layer of mounting glue (e.g. Pattex or UHU mounting glue).
2. Press the lamp to the desired location and briefly secure it.
3. Observe the drying time (depending on the glue 12–24 hours).

Tip: Mounting glue is a permanent solution – to remove it later, the glue must be cut with a utility knife.

Step 4: Align lamp & check

• Align straight: Use a level or an app to ensure the lamp is straight.
•  Test load capacity: Before switching on, carefully check if the adhesive installation holds.
• Conceal any cables: You can discreetly lay loose cables with adhesive cable channels or clips.

Tip: If you're unsure, try the lamp first with lightly adhesive pads before securing it permanently.

Step 5: Removing the lamp without damage

If you want to remove the lamp later, it's best to do it this way:

•  Adhesive pads & mounting tape: Gently warm with a hairdryer, then carefully detach with a dental floss thread or spatula.
•  Mounting glue: Slide a utility knife under the lamp and slowly detach, remove any glue residue with cooking oil or adhesive remover.

Tip: If you live in a rented apartment, test the adhesive technique in an inconspicuous place first!

I hope this blog post was able to provide you with not only inspiration but also to alleviate any uncertainties when it comes to individual lighting design without drilling. As you have seen, there are numerous creative and practical solutions to stylishly and functionally illuminate your rooms – whether with LED strips, battery lights, or clever adhesive systems.

If you have any questions or are looking for a customized solution for your home, our lighting planners at skapetze® are happy to assist you. A professional lighting design will help you develop the perfect lighting concept tailored to your wishes and needs.

Schedule a personal lighting consultation now and get individualized advice! Together, we will find the ideal lighting solution for your home – completely without drilling, but with maximum effect.