How To Update Your Rental Kitchen (With Cheap Ideas)

You can update your rental kitchen in a creative way without having to make permanent changes. These makeover tips are easy, and temporary, and will help you create the perfect space regardless of the size of your kitchen.

My wife and I were renters for the first 15 years of our marriage due to some unforeseen financial setbacks early on in our relationship. And, being someone who has always loved to cook, a rental kitchen didn’t always meet every need. You have to use what you’ve been given. Because, for some reason, my “dream kitchen” was never at the top of my landlord’s list of priorities.

The kitchen in most apartments and rental homes tends to be more utilitarian than an inviting space. But, with these few simple tips, you can easily transform your rental kitchen by utilizing these easy innovative apartment kitchen ideas. And, because these ideas are temporary and require no demolition you don’t have to worry about losing your security deposit.

So, if you’re feeling a little dissatisfied with your kitchen area and don’t have the most functional kitchen setup here are some easy tips and creative easy ideas to add your own distinctive touch to your kitchen.

Decorate Backsplash With Removable Wallpaper or Peel and Stick Tile

Yes, removable wallpaper is a thing and a clever way of creating a nicer apartment kitchen. Tempaper and Smart Tiles are excellent options that will allow you to upgrade your space temporarily. The wallpaper is also great for upgrading a small closet as well.

Cover Your Countertops

If you’re landlord or management company are real douches and don’t allow you to use anything, temporary or permanent, on the countertops, there are other creative options.

• Sink Cover: sink covers not only give your kitchen a modern flair but actually serve a purpose. A sink cover sits on top of your sink and you can usually find one for almost any size sink. You can use them to create a workspace where one never existed and they’re great for preventing items from being lost down the drain. It’s also great for drying dishes.
• Large Cutting Board: depending on the size of your space a large cutting board is awesome! Why? First, for safety. A large cutting board protects your hands when cutting because it takes up more space on your kitchen counter and doesn’t slip or slide. It also adds more cutting area so you can or multiple things at once. And, when you’re done using it simply clean it and leave it on the counter with some cool deco before your next feast.
• Stove Top Cover: What is the point of a stove top cover and what is it? A stove top cover is a board you can lay over your stove or over your sink to give you a couple of extra feet of cooking space or countertop space. If you’re one who likes to meal prep it makes a great prep station. Stove covers can also be sued to throw parties and potlucks, and add extra storage.

Buy A Cheap Rug

Most apartments aren’t known for their intelligent kitchen design or eye-popping decor. Nowhere is this most evident than on the kitchen floor. It’s usually covered with cheap tile or linoleum that tends to molest the eyeballs. So, what’s the solution? A patterned rug is a fantastic way to hide gloom and brighten the room. A rug also helps to divert the eyes from other unsightly areas of the room.

You don’t have to invest a ton into a rug, nor should you, given the high foot traffic kitchens can get. But, get one that will hold up to frequent vacuuming and washing when the need arises. IMO, patterned rugs are best because they’re practical and easily hide spills and stains.

Purchase Here: Washable Kitchen Rugs

Colorful Backless Stools

These convenient backless counter stools are great for adding extra much-needed seating but also a splash of color as well. They easily slide under a counter or island and they're portable, so you can move them from room to room when you have visitors and guests.

Purchase Here: Backless Stools

Move Knives To A Magnetic Knife Strip

A clunky knife block is great if you have a vast amount of counter space. But, most times it’s nothing more than a giant paperweight. Let’s face it, most people only use one knife so to have something like this sitting out is just a waste of space.

That being said, if you still want to display all that grand cutlery you bought from the home shopping channel at 2 AM then get a magnetic knife strip. You can hang your knives on the wall and eliminate the big block and declutter your drawers as well. Plus, it looks really cool.

Also, if you have kids in the house a wall-attached knife strip is a great way to keep sharp things out of the reach of children.

Purchase Here: Magnetic Knife Strip

Hang A Peg Board

It’s probably fair to say your rental kitchen doesn’t have a ton of extra floor space let alone a storage area. You can free up a lot of extra space down below for heavier pans by hanging your utensils, pots, and pans on a wall-mounted pegboard.

Use it to hang your mug collection as well and free up even more much-needed space.

Metal pegboards look really cool and create a really unique display that’s not only practical but really cool.

Purchase Here: Pegboards

Kitchen Appliances and Kitchen Equipment

In the event you have a little extra room on your countertops certain appliances make great decor. Kitchen equipment like a blender or food processor serves a unique function and tends to be used fairly often. So, leaving them out in plain sight is a practical way to free up space in other spots.

Do you currently use a rental kitchen? What bold fresh approach or popular upgrades have you instituted in your space? Be sure and share your smart apartment kitchen ideas in the comments below.