We rent. We also have a toddler with the imagination of a small film studio and the spatial requirements to match. For a long time those two facts felt at odds — because how do you create a proper play space when you can't drill, can't paint, and definitely can't lose the bond?

Turns out you can have a magnetic playwall in a rental. Here's how we did it, mistakes and all.

Start with your walls (not your wishlist)

Before you buy anything, look at what you're working with. A magnetic wall decal like the MagPlay Wall works best on smooth, non-absorbent walls. Textured or freshly painted walls are trickier. I checked ours against the Wall Compatibility Guide first — five minutes that saved me a lot of second-guessing.

If you're unsure, go portable

Here's the tip I wish someone had given me sooner: if your walls are dodgy, or you just don't want to risk the deposit, don't apply anything to the wall at all. The Wall + Board Bundle puts the decal onto a board instead. You get the same big magnetic play surface, but it leans, mounts or moves — lounge by day, bedroom by night, packed away when the in-laws visit.

Height matters more than size

In a small space you don't need a huge wall — you need the right one at the right height. Mount it where little hands actually reach, and you'll get far more use out of it than a bigger surface up high.

Keep it tidy with the magnets you already love

The beauty of a playwall in a small home is that the "toys" store flat against the wall. Our animal and fruit & veggie magnets live on the wall itself — no bins, no floor clutter, no stepping on anything sharp at 6am.

Renting with kids means making spaces work harder and smarter. A removable magnetic playwall did exactly that for us: a real creative zone, no damage, no drama, and something we can take with us to the next place. If that sounds like your situation too, our FAQ is a good next stop.