Inexpensive Renter-Friendly Kitchen Upgrades
If you’re renting your home and your kitchen is disappointing (or flat out ugly), you’re probably looking for a few ways you can fix it up without breaking the bank. While a simple DIY upgrade or two is almost always a good idea, when you’re a renter, there’s also the issue of what your landlord will and will not allow. Regardless of how badly this kitchen needs help, very few property owners would be happy to let you paint the walls or cabinets, let alone do a full-on renovation. So first, get in touch with your landlord or property manager to find out what’s allowed so you can get most or all of your security deposit back. Next, get inspired by the following tips for stylish rental kitchen upgrades on the cheap.
Cabinets
If you can’t refinish your kitchen cabinets, there are still some things you can do make them more appealing. If they have ugly handles, you might be able to switch out the hardware for something more stylish. But, lots of rental kitchens don’t even have cabinet hardware, so adding drawer pulls and other fixtures may not fly with your landlord. If that’s that case, consider removing the upper cabinet doors altogether (just make sure to keep them in a safe place and put them back before you move out). Doing this will expose some of your dishes, glasses, and other stuff, so be sure to arrange things just the way you like, and add a few decorative items that make you feel good. You could even add temporary wallpaper to the inside of the cabinets for a pop of color.
Fixtures
Lots of older rentals are going to have junky faucets— ancient, rusty, grimey faucets. But, you don’t have to live with them. Replacing your kitchen sink faucet with a newer, more attractive fixture will do wonders for the overall look and feel of your kitchen while you cook and clean. Just be sure that the new faucet you buy will fit into the holes that were created for the existing piece(s).
Backsplash and Toekick
Another great way to add your own personal touch to a plain kitchen is by covering the backsplash and/or toekick (the strip between the base of your bottom cabinets and the floor). Being that this must be a temporary fix, it’s best to go with a stick-on-type of removable wallpaper. You can find these in endless styles and colors at home improvement stores like Home Depot or Target. You can add a pop of color or even a pattern, like stripes or polka dots.
Rugs and Runners
Putting down a rug is an excellent way to give your boring kitchen a little bit of charm. Keep it simple or go all out with a floral print, just be sure it’s not a dirt and food magnet. Go with a very low pile or woven rug and stay away from shag in any form. If you have a dinky little kitchen, stick with a small rug or two. If it’s a galley-style kitchen consider a nice runner, or if you’ve lucked out with a large kitchen you could maybe do both.
Artwork
The kitchen isn’t going the be the best place for your priceless works of art, what with all the steam and grease. But, if you have some less valuable paintings or posters that you enjoy, using them to cover the plain old white walls in your kitchen could be just what the space needs. If you don’t already have some art you’d like to hang here, shop for a few pieces that feature food or beverages. Anything that inspires your appetite or your inner chef is a great choice.
Don’t lose hope for a boring kitchen. Get inspired and make it yours!
Sara Thompson has published numerous articles on lifestyle and home improvement topics. This article was written in collaboration with Zenith Properties NW, a property management company in Vancouver, WA.
