✅1. Peel and Stick Countertop
If your counter is an ugly color or worn out or you just want to add some pizzazz to your space, then start with the countertop. It is the largest surface in your kitchen and will make an impact by changing it.
Before and After Countertop with Peel and Stick Granite Looking Paper
You can get this product online and there are many colors and textures to choose from.
Method:
Before you just rip off that backing, you need to do a little bit of prep work.
Step 1 - Empty your Countertop
Step 2 - Clean to get rid of any grease, this part is important or the paper won't stick
Step 3 - Invest in a smoother tool to slowly place the product onto the counter.
Check out this video below to see just how she places peel and stick paper to her rental kitchen.
The Smoother tool is super important for gradually adhering the paper to the countertop for that perfectly smooth surface.
It is amazing just how quickly you can transform your countertop. Just remember to use hot plates and pot holders on this surface when cooking. When it comes time to move, you can peel it off but chances are the landlord will love it and want to keep it.
✅2. Swap Cabinet Hardware
This is an easy swap that doesn't damage the cabinets at all. Just keep the old hardware in a box where you can find it.
If you plan on staying here for a while this is a great investment to simply bring life back into this space and to make it more inviting for you as this is your home whether rented or not.
I like this beautiful hardware as there are 25 pieces to a pack with over 1200 positive reviews at the time of this writing. You don't want to spend too much but it can make all the difference. This style works on cabinets that only have one drilled hole for the hardware, if yours are more like handles, you can still get good deals on them online too as below:
Obviously, do not be drilling holes in the cabinets, try to work with what is there.
With the countertop updated and the hardware updated, things should be looking a little better.
✅3. Temporary Floor Covering for Rental Kitchen
If the floor has seen better days in the kitchen or is some horrid design that you simply can't live with, then you can invest in a pack or two of "click together flooring" These are not installed floors, so there is no gluing or any permanent DIY.
You use an under padding and then just click these together right over the existing floor. This is a bit more money, but if your landlord doesn't want to replace the kitchen flooring, then this is something you can add to it without any damage.It will feel like a new kitchen without hurting the original design.
✅4. A Bright Runner Kitchen Rug is Another Option to Add some Pizzazz and Personality!
If adding a temporary floor is not in your budget, then consider simply adding a few kitchen runner rugs to detract from a boring or worn floor. Most floors show the most wear in front of the kitchen sink and the stove, so adding some soft non slip rugs to these areas would work too.
✅5. Appliance Paint
If the kitchen appliances are yours and they are older, then simply repainting them white will freshen up the space.
If they belong to the landlord, ask if you can paint them to brighten them up. The paints on the market are so good, you would never know they were not white to begin with! You can actually get specific paint for them online:
This can be a big job, but does pay off in looks! You can also get this in a spray, but if you are painting your refrigerator for example where it stands, then using the can and a roller is best. It doesn't leave any brush marks and it totally durable and will give your appliances a new lease on life.
After many moves they tend to get nicks and cuts that rust, so by giving them a coat of specific appliance paint, they will look new again.
✅6. Refrigerator Door Stickers - Instant Punch of Kitchen Art and Color
If you can't repaint the refrigerator, you won't believe what you can get!! Refrigerator mural stickers.Check these out, they are super cool.
If you just want to add some whimsy or a punch of color and don't want to get into any DIY, you can get these awesome murals for doors or refrigerator doors as pictured. Click on it and at the bottom of the page are more mural ideas.
Talk about adding art to the kitchen!
✅7. Add Canvas Coffee or Wine Art to Walls
You can get some awesome art pieces to hang in your kitchen to instantly add some 3D to the space.
These 4 pieces fit together and are under 50 bucks on Amazon right now.
If you have the wall space, this can be an awesome way to add to the plain walls. If not coffee, then go for a wine theme as below:
How to Decorate a Rental Kitchen?
The trick is to not cause any harm to the original surfaces.
But if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do a little bit of DIY, you can make this plain kitchen your home. There are so many cool and yet temporary products on the market now. Even with the art you can use those 3M hooks that cause no holes or wall damage.
By putting your stamp on it, it will feel like a welcoming place to come home to at the end of a hard day.
Just because you are renting doesn't mean you have to live with the decor. If you don't harm original surfaces, then your landlord will be happy, and he might actually love what you have done to the place.
Even if you only add a couple of the above ideas, you can make a difference to the space..
Obviously, budget will be the most important factor. But even if you check out thrift stores and garage sales for some things you can add to personalize you space, this will make a difference.
I Once Rented for a Year and Thought Why Bother? Big Mistake...
I felt since I was only going to be there a year, why make the effort? Big mistake.. it was so uninviting, it actually became depressing and I really didn't feel at home or want to eat my meals in there.
It is good for your soul to add personality to wherever you live including temporary housing, even if it is short term.
As they say:
BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!!
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