Incredible Ways to Spruce Up Your Rental Kitchen

The last year completely changed our perception of comfort at home — whether it’s your own place or a rental. Now, we all strive to make the house we live in as cozy as possible. It might be harder, though, if you rent out the place — some think that it might be not worth it investing in the place you might leave at any time. Others cannot find common ground with the landlord when it comes to small renovation projects.

Some renters decide to avoid undertaking any improvement projects in their rental kitchens. After all, we spend much more time in other areas of the apartment. But, here we mention some easy and fast ideas for the rental kitchen makeover. Plenty of them don’t require much effort or money, and in return, you’ll receive a feeling of content every time you walk into your kitchen. 

Ready to make your rental feel like a real home?

Introduce a Few Plants

Plants make any space seem homier, brighter, and happier. The same goes for rental kitchens. This is an excellent option if you’re on a budget and don’t have much DIY skills but still want to add some zhuzh to the kitchen. Honestly, you can find a perfect plant for any lighting, and there is definitely a shrub for you, even if you don’t have a green thumb. Plant them in fun pots or even go for small buckets or mugs, depending on your preferences and the style you want to achieve.

Note: If you need help deciding what plant to choose for your kitchen, take a look at our article dedicated to the most popular house plants for any needs and requirements.

Buy a Rug

A nice rug can be a truly multifunctional purchase for your rental kitchen and, in some cases, become a centerpiece of the space. It will keep your feet warm if you have tile flooring and hide some chips and cracks you and your landlord cannot do anything about. What’s more, it will add a pop of color to your kitchen and will make the place feel much cozier. You can find many nice-looking runners or kitchen mats to place under your sink, or go wild and get a Persian rug.

Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are not the first thing tenants think about planning a kitchen renovation. But, they might have some scratches, old stains, or maybe the paint simply does not look fresh anymore — who knows how many renters they outlived. Putting a fresh coat of paint on the cabinet doors can make the whole room look brighter and well-tended. 

To pull off this right, you might want to watch a few Youtube videos at first, so you won’t end up with patchy cabinets. And, of course, remember to discuss it with your landlord beforehand!

Opt for Open Shelves

Another way to go about the cabinet doors is to remove them entirely or even switch your top cabinets to open shelves. This will work wonders if you have a small kitchen or if you’re looking for ways to brighten it up. Open cabinets and shelves create more visual space and make it easier for you to get to your kitchen appliances. But, keep in mind that open shelves and cabinets require to be organized!

Hang a Mirror

Does it feel like a kitchen is not the most suitable place to incorporate a mirror? Think twice before turning this idea down, as a mirror is another magic trick that makes any room seem lighter. You should definitely consider it if you want to make your small rental kitchen look larger, as it also amplifies light and can illuminate dark corners in a miraculous way. Place the mirror on the wall opposite the window or position it in the corner that needs some extra light. Also, look into mirrors with offbeat frames — this can become yet another decoration you’ll love and enjoy every time you walk in the kitchen.

Use Baskets and Bins

Another super-budget way to make your rental kitchen seem neater and more organized is to use various storage boxes, baskets, and jars. You might find this especially useful if you have lots of open shelves and cabinets. Leaf tea in a simple glass jar looks much nicer than the one in a ripped cardboard box, and this goes for plenty of foods and groceries. You can use one basket to store all breads and pastries, a separate one for sweets and chocolates, one for salted snacks, and so on. That way, your kitchen shelves will turn into an uncluttered space from a colorful mess of boxes and bags.

More like this: Best Ways to Keep Your Apartment in Great Condition

Invest in Kitchenware Worth Showing Off

We all have one favorite mug from which morning coffee tastes the best. Think if you’re happy with your plates, pots, and cutlery. Good-looking kitchenware will not only make your cooking and dining area look more refined, it will also bring you joy every time you use it to prepare your meals. And, these things are easy to move to your next home, so you don’t have to say goodbye to the frying pan which you use to make the best pancakes on the planet.

Add Some Color

Maybe, your rental does not need a total makeover — it just seems a little bit dull and generic? In these cases, all you need to do is buy a few colorful mugs or placemats to make the kitchen seem like a brighter and happier place and add some accents.

Put to Use Contact Paper

Contact paper can be an excellent way to change the look of your countertops. It is cheap, easy to apply, and you can change the look of your whole kitchen for under $100! There are plenty of colors and patterns to choose from — you can choose contact paper that looks like marble, granite, or wood. What’s more, it is thick and durable, especially if you treat it with some care. Some people mention that they’ve been using contact paper for a couple of years, and the countertops still look great!