So, it should make you feel as comfortable and content as any other living space.
Unfortunately, your place has a dull kitchen, and you don’t think you can do much to change it. Indeed, you can’t renovate your rental, but you can make some non-permanent changes to transform it into a room you enjoy.
You’re still going to need to check with your landlord or property manager before making any of these changes (especially numbers three and four), so make sure you do that before you get started!
1. Repaint the walls
Your landlord will probably be open to you repainting the walls in your rental, as long as you choose a color they like. Otherwise, you might have to restore the interior to a more neutral shade when you move out. Either way, make sure you ask permission first.
If that sounds like an OK compromise, then spend an afternoon transforming your rental kitchen with a can of paint. Draw inspiration from the year’s most popular colors and throw a new shade on your walls.
Pantone chose a classic blue as 2020’s signature hue, but plenty of people will go for white, blush and hunter green. Be sure the shade accentuates the elements of the kitchen you can’t change, such as the countertops and appliances.
On that note, perhaps you plan to stay in your rental for a while. If so, ask your landlord about repainting the cabinets as well. This task is more detailed — you’ll likely need to carve out a weekend to accomplish it. However, it can transform the space and be a mutually beneficial change to you and the property owner. It’s worth a try to ask if you can make such a major change.
2. Layer the accessories
Paint’s not an option for everyone, but your landlord can’t object to you adding colorful kitchen accessories. You have an endless list of ways to bring color and interest to an otherwise drab layout.
Start with the flooring. You can cover builder-grade materials with a fun area rug or two. The good news is that this accessory will suit just about any size kitchen. Small tapestries fit beneath the sink, while larger carpets can anchor your breakfast nook.
If you add a rug, pull colors from it and pick accessories to tie everything together. You can add a bright kettle to the range or hang tea towels on the oven. Pepper the countertop with jars or small appliances in exciting shades, too. Finish it all off with curtains to draw the eye up with one last pop of color.
3. Ditch the doors
Of all of the most popular kitchen design trends, minimalism’s the easiest one to incorporate into your rental. It might require you to skip step No. 2 — rather than adding accessories to your countertops, keep things clean and simple.
You can make your cabinets look more modern, too. On simple wooden doors, remove ornate hardware in favor of sleeker pulls and handles. Or, scrap the embellished cabinet doors altogether. Open shelving may seem like too busy a concept to add to a minimalist kitchen. However, if you stack and organize your dishes, bowls and glasses, they can be an aesthetically pleasing addition to your space.
Creating a minimalist kitchen allows you to cut down on all the clutter. Only store and display what you need, and you’re halfway to designing the simple rental you seek.
4. Swap out the lights
Lighting can make all the difference in your home. Chances are, your current fixtures are outdated or otherwise boring — and the glow they cast makes your kitchen look blah.
If your landlord lets you do this, you’ll need to get an electrician to come in and help you. However, it’s relatively simple to swap out an overhead light. Hang onto the original so you can re-hang it when you move out.
If you can’t swap out an overhead light — perhaps you have a fluorescent-bulb-filled box — you can still improve your kitchen’s glow. Don’t be afraid to pop a tall floor lamp into a corner. You can also place a table lamp onto the corner piece of your countertop. Or, you can install under-the-cabinet lighting to illuminate your workspace.
Make the most out of natural light, too. Hang mirrors across from windows to reflect more of the sun’s rays into your kitchen. Painting the walls a lighter color can amplify these effects.
Banish boring from your rental kitchen
As you can see, a rental kitchen doesn’t have to be tiresome. You have these tips and other tools available to improve the look and feel of a temporary living space. So, get creative — what can you change about your non-permanent kitchen? Once you have a clear idea of all you can do, start on sprucing up your space.
