Renovate Your Rental: 9 Kitchen Upgrades You Can Make

Renters don’t always have a say in the design or decor of a kitchen, and unless you have a flexible landlord, cosmetic changes are not easy to accomplish. But there are plenty of ways to conceal your kitchen's most unattractive features—and play up its strengths. The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, so it's a good use of time to get the space looking and working its best. That means adding storage and lighting, but also changing out counters or cabinets... without jeopardizing your security deposit. Click through our slideshow to view tips that will get you cookin’ in no time.

By Cody Calamaio | Updated Aug 18, 2015 01:36 PM

Crummy Cabinets

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Chalkboard Cabinets

Whether they are dinged and dented or simply unattractive, bad kitchen cabinets are one of a renter’s biggest woes. If you aren't allowed to paint, cover them in removable contact paper so you can leave them in their original (albeit ugly) condition when you move out. Or create open shelving by removing the doors entirely—just be sure to reattach them when you break your lease.


Related:  Painted Cabinets: 14 Reasons to Transform Yours Now

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Panhandling

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Kitchen Pot Racks

If you have lots of cooking supplies, chances are you are not going to like the storage options that your rental kitchen has to offer. Free up valuable storage space by hanging your pots and pans, or prop up a pegboard to easily hang kitchen gadgets.

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Floor Faux Pas

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Kitchen Rugs

Unsightly linoleum or tile plagues plenty of kitchens, and replacing it isn’t an option as a renter. Instead, distract from it by putting down colorful rugs and runners. They also help cushion aching feet during long hours spent over a stove.

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Under Prepared

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Counterspace Hacks

When counter space is at a premium you could have to choose between chopping vegetables and a place to put the coffee pot. To expand your prep area, buy cutting boards you can place over a stove or the kitchen sink.


Related:  Spreading Out: 14 Ways to Get More Counter Space

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Lack of Light

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Lighting for Kitchen

Dark kitchens feel dingy and can even be unsafe. Brighten up your space by using task lamps and under cabinet lights. Be sure to use LED bulbs where possible to decrease energy costs.

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Cringe-worthy Countertops

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Contact Paper Countertops

Most kitchen countertops in rental apartments are laminate. And since they're usually beige, they can easily stain and yellow over time. You can cover your counters with decorative contact paper; just remove it with the aid of a hairdryer when you're ready to move out.

justmisty.com

Not Enough Drawer Space

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Magnetic Utensil Holder

Outsmart your storage-starved kitchen by moving some of your utensils into jars on the countertop or magnetic strips on the walls. Drawer organizers can maximize your space and decrease clutter in the precious few drawers you have.

serendipityrefined.com

Accentuate the Positive

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Apartment Kitchen Ideas

Never underestimate the power of color in transforming a space. Pick one or two unifying colors, then coordinate your accents and knickknacks with your cabinetry or window treatments. The sum is greater than its parts; even mismatched pieces in the same color can look like a set and tie a potentially awkward rental kitchen together.

dans-le- townhouse.blog spot.com

Back to the Future

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Backsplash for Rental Kitchen

Updating a backsplash is well within reach for renters; there are plenty of non-permanent ways to do it. Ceiling tiles make great removable backsplashes. Or if you prefer tile, mount them to panels that you can stick in place with Command strips or other temporary adhesives.

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