Skip to content
How I Rent

How I Rent

Celebrating renters who decorate

  • About
    • DISCLOSURE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • House Tours
    • Season 1
    • Season 2
    • Videos
  • Room Tours
  • Living
  • Shop
    • Get the Book!
  • Contribute
    • Home Tour Submission
  • About
    • DISCLOSURE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • House Tours
    • Season 1
    • Season 2
    • Videos
  • Room Tours
  • Living
  • Shop
    • Get the Book!
  • Contribute
    • Home Tour Submission
Living

5 Simple Ways to Update Your Rented Kitchen Without Painting!

April 10, 2020April 24, 2020 How I rent 1 comment
5 simple ways to update your rented kitchen

The kitchen is the center of a home and an updated kitchen is often a staple that buyers look for when shopping in the real estate market. Yet, if you’re renting your apartment or house, you may feel like you don’t have as much ability to renovate. Your contract likely prohibits you from painting and any changes you do make need to be both subtle and temporary. After all, you don’t want to lose that security deposit! Here are 5 simple ways to update your rented kitchen with what you already have.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a small commission.

 

1. Remove upper cabinet doors

There’s something incredibly chic and natural about open shelves in a kitchen. However, installing these kinds of shelves might not be an option for someone who rents.  You might not able to put up custom shelving on the walls from scratch and hence have to work with what you have. Good news though, you can “fake” the look of floating shelves, by simply removing all the doors from your existing upper cabinets. Remember, you’ll need to do this carefully, so they’re not damaged and keep them in a safe place to replace them prior to moving out. Keep track of any other changes you may make in the process, so your landlord never knows the difference. 

 

Open cabinets in rented kitchen with doors removed
Photo credit: Kasia Fiszer Photography. Image via Grillo Designs

Finally, style your new ‘open plan’  shelves to add more  personality using an eclectic mix of plates, bowls, and glassware. And of course, there is always the option of installing removable wallpaper to the back of your cabinets to add a pop of colour and/or interest!  You can see more details of this in action here 



2. Swap out the hardware



This is one of those small touches that can make a big difference to the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Chances are that your current kitchen has fairly generic cabinet hardware. That said, updating your hardware can quickly take you from a “cookie cutter” rented kitchen to the customized vibe you’re seeking.  From drawer pulls to cabinet knobs, there are so many different hardware elements in your kitchen that you may not even have know existed!   

 

When you’re switching out the knobs and pulls, be sure to consider all your options (and don’t forget to note the types of fixings used as you will need to replace with the same to prevent having to create new holes) . Hardware comes in a variety of  shapes, designs, and colors. If you had silver previously, perhaps try pewter, brass, copper or gold. What matches your taps (faucets)? What coordinates with your appliances? Do you want to mix and match? There are more options than you’ll know what to do with, which makes this a fantastic direction to go!

 

Image via Swoonworthy Blog

 

 

 

3. Hang your kitchen hardware and utensils

 


Having space issues in your tiny rented kitchen? Hanging your kitchen hardware and utensils is a solution that will improve your kitchen’s style while freeing up some space. All you have to do is purchase a hanging rack for your pots, pans, and utensils instead of storing them in a cupboard. They’ll be convenient when you need them and give your kitchen a chic-industrial look. 

rented kitchen with chrome shelving with rail for hanging utensils and pots
Photo credit: Kasia Fiszer Photography. Image from Teri Muncey Home tour

For storage, magnetic wall-mounted knife blocks and hanging potholders are both great tools that not everyone makes use of.

Image via Mademoiselle Poirot

 

You can also transform the inside of your cabinets by becoming an organization pro. Marie Kondo everything first and then use bins or under shelf baskets like this,  to improve the use of your existing cabinet space. Once you maximize your space, you’ll wonder how you’ve been living without doing so for years. You can check out this post for more decluttering kitchen counter top ideas 

 

Photo credit: Kasia Fiszer Photography. Image from Teri Muncey Home tour
Photo credit: Kasia Fiszer Photography. Image from Africa Daley-Clarke’s Home tour




4. Create a temporary (splash back) back splash


Emphasis on the “temporary” part here. If you can’t paint, you won’t be able to install anything permanent like a real splashback (backsplash).  However, vinyl decals or faux tiles will be your best friend. They’re typically easy to apply and easy to remove with little damage. As always, be sure to test it on a small part of your wall before moving on to a large section just in case. You can use custom vinyl stickers to decorate  parts of your tile as seen below

Semi circle stickers on a metro white tile
Photo credit: Kasia Fiszer Photography. Image via Grillo Designs

 

Or completely cover the tiles with tile specific stickers like these . You’ll have a beautiful updated rented kitchen before you know it! 

 

Image credit : I am Hayley Stuart



5. Cover the counter tops!

Are your kitchen counters looking a little grubby and chipped? Chances are your landlord wont be up to replacing them any time soon . But don’t despair. You can hide their ugliness using a self adhesive contact paper like this one.  Check out all the details here.

Kitchen with marble contact paper applied to the kitchen counter tops
Image via Simply Grove



There you have it! Five relatively quick and easy ways to transform and update your rented kitchen. There are options for everyone regardless of style or do-it-yourself ability. Don’t let renting deter your from making your home your own! How have you decorated your rented kitchen? Comment below! 


We love when you share! Click the image below to save this post  to Pinterest! You can follow HOW I RENT on Pinterest here.

 

5 simple ways to update your rented kitchen pinterest graphic

BUY THE BOOK!

Post navigation

Looking for a Rental Property? Read this first.
6 Clever Hacks to Transform Ugly Radiators In Your Rental!

One comment

  1. Samya says:
    May 16, 2020 at 1:54 am

    I’m about to move into a new home that has not been decorated since the 70’s… Thank you for this informative article, I shall save it and work on the house. Probably even show you a before and after 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How I Rent

5 simple ways to update your rented kitchen

A celebration of all the amazing renters out there who, in spite of it all, have managed to transform their homes into abodes of personality and style.

This website is a place for renters to come together and share their thoughts, and feelings throughout their renting journey. You can expect to find  regular home tours, useful information around renting, and decorating tips that wont cost you your deposit on here.

Buy The Book

Categories

  • House Tours
  • Living
  • Room Tours
  • Season 1
  • Season 2
  • Uncategorized

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails.

Follow @how_i_rent

Instagram has returned invalid data.

Follow Me!

  • About
    • DISCLOSURE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • House Tours
    • Season 1
    • Season 2
    • Videos
  • Room Tours
  • Living
  • Shop
    • Get the Book!
  • Contribute
    • Home Tour Submission
© 2023 | Designed by Little Theme Shop