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    Home » Blog

    How To Update Your Rental Kitchen (With Cheap Ideas)

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    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.

    Table of Contents

    • Decorate Backsplash With Removable Wallpaper or Peel and Stick Tile
    • Cover Your Countertops
    • Buy A Cheap Rug
    • Colorful Backless Stools
    • Move Knives To A Magnetic Knife Strip
    • Hang A Peg Board
    • Kitchen Appliances and Kitchen Equipment
    • How To Update Your Rental Kitchen (With Cheap Ideas)

    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.

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    How To Update Your Rental Kitchen (With Cheap Ideas)

    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    Print Recipe

    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.

    Ingredients

    Rental Kitchen Items

    • Peel and Stick Tile
    • Removable Wallpaper
    • Sink Cover
    • Stove Cover
    • Large Cutting Board
    • Kitchen Rugs
    • Backless Stools
    • Magnetic Knife Holder
    • Pegboard Wall Organizer
    • Food Processor, Vitamix, or Stand Mixer

    Instructions

    When it comes to apartment kitchen renovations, you have to pick your battles, and they most likely will have to be temporary. Cheap, fast improvements can get you the finish you want at a fraction of the time and money.

    Leases come with restrictions on repairs and improvements. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t have access to high-quality and stylish products. Out with the old and in with the new, it’s time to update your apartment rental kitchen…and get your deposit back when you leave.

    Equipment

    Chef’s Knife

    Buy Now →

    KitchenAid Stand Mixer

    Buy Now →

    Cutting Board

    Buy Now →

    Cuisinart Food Processor

    Buy Now →

    Vitamix

    Buy Now →
    • Author: Shane Martin
    • Category: How To, Blog
    • Diet: Vegan

    Keywords: apartment kitchen rental, apartment kitchen ideas for renters, small kitchen renovation

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mike

      December 07, 2022 at 10:23 pm

      One of the best ideas for kitchen makeover is to update the small appliances to things that you enjoy using, such as vitamix, instant pot and for me a bread maker and rice cooker. All 4 worth every penny.
      For me the looks aren’t a big a deal as the tools to do the job. I do also have an air fryer, but the other 4 see much more usage.

      Reply
    2. RoseAnne

      December 07, 2022 at 7:06 pm

      Thanks for the great ideas, Shane!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        December 09, 2022 at 10:46 am

        My pleasure and thank you!

        Reply
    3. Cheryl Garcia

      December 07, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      Such a refreshing and thoughtful post, Shane! Not overdone and yet Well done! 👍🤩

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        December 09, 2022 at 10:47 am

        Thank you, Cheryl!

        Reply
    4. Janet

      December 07, 2022 at 4:13 pm

      Thank you for this post, Shane. I don’t have a rental kitchen, but it is extremely small. My husband won’t move, nor will he invest in an update. I didn’t know there were stove covers, and I never thought about using a sink cover. Thanks for this, and for all of your wonderful recipes! I printed out a stack of them yesterday and look forward to Christmas sharing!
      Happy Holidays to you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        December 09, 2022 at 10:47 am

        Janet, that’s so great to hear and thanks for responding.

        Reply

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