Installing knobs on the cabinets will damage them, since they don't already have holes - I wouldn't do this without permission unless I wasn't too attached to my security deposit. You might consider some contact paper on the cabinet fronts instead - white, or whatever bright color pleases you. You could even do the cabinet frames if you wanted...

I agree with Lemonadefish, check with the landlord before you add anything to the cabinets. The trim at the bottom should not be a issue when adding knobs. I would suggest you use a long vertical pull (the kind where you use several fingers around it to open the cabinet, does that make sense?) instead of a knob and install them above the trim piece. But if you really want to add some color to the kitchen, use some fun, colorful accessories on the top of the cabinets (no landlord issues there)!

I like the suggestion of contact paper - you could even use removable wall paper. Something that is meant to come off without damaging what's behind it. I'd be wary of using white though because that would look like an outdated beach condo. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Uk5Nr_TuIgo/TAqENNtxi0I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/TkVZCxxVVFs/s1600/uglylll.jpg

On the topic of removable wall paper - maybe that's your solution right there. Even if you don't do that, bright accessories and switching out the light fixture in the kitchen can liven it up. Try a bright rug in there too. Frame (durable) artwork over the stove/sink or put a mirror over the sink to mimic a window.

I agree that installing knobs is probably not ok to do, check with your landlord. It's also pretty time consuming to measure all of the doors to place the knobs correctly, and not really all that cheap. You'll be surprised how quickly those can add up.

I know ceiling fans are considered design suicide, but I would leave it. They are extremely functional fixtures that can help move cool air around in the summer, and can also push warmed air downwards in winter.

The "pice of trim" is the cabinet pull! I like it... adding anything else would be superfluous and out of context.

I would take the ceiling fan down. I don't care if they are useful, they are hideous. I would not put any pulls on the cabinets. The cabinets are fine.

Maybe some nice art over the sink? Have you actually asked if you can paint. Some landlords really don't care.

You can't paint, you probably can't drill to add cabinet pulls...ceiling fan is ugly but so useful. I honestly don't think it's an ugly space, just a little boring. Things you can add: curtains, floor mat by the sink. If your kitchen table is in there, but a table cloth on it, or have a stylish/interesting table. Try painting you chairs in interesting color? Keep your counters uncluttered? This question is so open ended...

You have to be a little bit careful about using contact paper on old wooden cabinets. Sometimes when you remove the contact paper later, you end up removing a little bit of the varnish/finish, and it can be pretty noticeable.

Could you get some sort of super thin plywood/hardboard/maybe foam core, paint it and hang it up on the fronts of the cabinets with Command strips?

Or maybe even fabric starched to the fronts? Starch doesn't ruin the finish behind it, cleans off easily, and would allow you to take it down/switch it out when you get tired of it. Just Google "fabric starched walls" and you can find a couple of different methods.

we had roughly the same dilemma and this is what we did: removed most of the cabinet doors, removed cabinet shelves, and covered the insides of the cabinets with large sheets of black paper (you could just as well use contact paper - but we're cheap and had this around..). our cabinets seem a tone brighter than yours, so the black sheets of paper in the cabinets made a great impact.

as for the fan, you can always get a simpler fan and have an electrician install it :)

If you are not allowed to paint, I doubt you are allowed to drill holes into the cabinets to install knobs.
Ceiling fans aren't the pretties things in the world (and yours is pretty darn ugly) but they are awfully nice if you don't have central air. Even if you have air conditioning, they can help you lower the bills. I love mine. Wait a few weeks and see if you end up using it before you make the final decision on that one. You could also replace it with a not-quite-as-ugly model.
I would get some fun accessories for the kitchen - colorful towels, maybe some colorful bowls or pots or a fun toaster (too bad your kitchen aid is white!). Stick some pictures on the fridge, hang some artwork, get a nice rug and see how you feel then.

Nix the idea on the contact paper or wall paper fronts of the cabinets will look tacky (sorry for the pun) The wood looks nice...
I would contact paper or wall paper the soffit above the cabinets and back splash to add some color and pattern possibly.
That center light fixture must leave the planet....track lighting or even a large florescent (ugh) would be a vast improvement and not set you back more that a couple of hundred $ and not difficult to install yourself,
As to the door pulls find simple horizontal ones (check out IKEA) that attach from behind to no t damage door fronts,and wrap under the cabinet door bottoms to provide a much needed accent element.
Are you TOTALLY SURE you can't paint???

You know, you don't have to have a custom kitchen in a rental. Accessorize, hang art, and leave the landlord's structure the way the landlord wants it.

Hi Elizabeth,
Alas, I have to agree with everyone else that if your landlord won't let you paint, it's not likely they are going to let you drill holes to install pulls.

But depending on what condition the insides of the cabinets are in, why not try removing some of the cabinet doors from the upper cabinets for an open shelf look. Maybe leave the short doors and remove the long ones.

With most cabinets it should be easy enough to not only remove the doors, but also just unscrew the hardware from the cabinets themselves, then store it all away somewhere safe and put them back when you move out.

If the inside of the cabinets doesn't suit an open style you could either invest in some plywood and plexiglas to make your own transparent cabinet doors (Cut your plywood to be the same size as the current doors, and use wood stain to match the colour, then cut out the middle section like a picture frame. Pre-drill the plexi-glass and screw into the plywood with short wood screws.

Apart from anything else, I'd also recommend small pots of herbs in that sunny kitchen window, as I think plants lighten up the deadest spaces.

Don't add hardware to the cabinets. You'd have to drill holes to do so. Just leave them as is. Don't take the ceiling fan down. It may be hideous, but not so much so that you can't live with it. I have a ceiling fan in every room in my house. They may be design flaws, but ask anyone in Central/South Florida if they'd rather be with or without fans in the summers, even with air conditioning.

Work with what you have. Use colorful towels, pottery, plants, rugs, etc. to bring color and texture to the room. Choose accesories carefully, for you don't want to overdo and you don't to give us needed counter space for items that are not useful. Think colorful and useful such as a bowl of fruit, an attractive tray, a cute crock for utensils, etc.

It doesn't look like there is any space on top of the cabinets for decorative objects. Plates or baskets could be attached with those adhesive plate-hanger discs that do not call for holes in the wall.

Don't worry too much about what you CAN'T do. Do what you can and do the best you can with have to work with. Tasty meals cooked with love and served to family and friends in a gracious, welcoming home will be what people remember. They won't care that your rental kitchen isn't picture perfect, and neither should you!

I bet you will like the space just fine as is once your things are in it. An island is a good idea. Those cabinets are nice and versatile in style.

How about removable wallpaper in the backsplash area (looks like that is painted wall and not tile or something?)

You could replace the fan with another, or with another fixture if you don't need the fan in your climate, and re-install this one when you leave.

Great post, this is my rental kitchen almost exactly!! We have always left it in its ugly state because we were at a loss as to how to improve it without sinking a ton of money into it or damaging the cabinets etc. that are already there. These are great ideas!

In some places, if you change out the fixtures, they now become the property of the landlord. Perhaps the landlord will let you buy something if you show them what you want and possibly they will install it for you. Also, I think there you can buy kits to change the blades in the fan.

I would not take down the doors, creating a storage issue and the possibility that they get damaged in the process. If you live here for awhile, the landlord might be more likely to go along with major changes, painting a wild color, etc.

I think accessories, curtains, etc. are the answer.

Save your money and buy a place that you like better or can remodel to your heart's content.

I live in an apartment where painting wasn't allowed...at first :) I wouldn't use any handles or knobs..if they dont want you to paint chances are they wont want holes in the cabinets..I found some really great wrapping paper and I decopauged the fronts of the cabinets..I used white glue ( mixed with water)so it wasn't permanent. There are some neat kitchens on Google images if you put in wallpaper and kitchens...

No new hardware, no to the idea of contact paper. I think the kitchen looks pretty harmless. An eye catching light fixture is a great idea - a statement piece that makes everything else in the room become a supporting player. A cheap way to go is find a garage sale chandelier (one of those ones with all the 'candles' that you can spray paint a bright color), or make one out of a bunch of industrial lights.

The ceiling fan has to go. Take it down and put up another same style eye-catching chandalier here. Just save the old crappy fixtures and put them back up when you move out.

Personally, I would probably go ahead and paint the kitchen a sophisticated color to give it some personality. Just paint it back to white when you move out.

That awkward short cabinet/opening over the sink - you gotta put up a shelf that goes all the way across, level with the bottom of the cabinets. Then put some personality up there - plant, art, your tea cup collection, etc.

Do a backsplash for sure. Use wallpaper or contact paper to keep cost down. You could also paint a striped backsplash with kitchen paint too. I also like the idea of removing some of the cabinet doors. The set above the microwave would help lighten the kitchen up. I did that in my kitchen, and wall papered inside. It was pretty easy, since no one sees the mistakes behind your dished :)

http://juliadiditherself.blogspot.ca/2011/08/kitchen-mini-reno.html

Why not look at the rentals in the Small Cool Kitchen contest and get inspired? Decorating well takes time - solving problems with tight constraints takes more time still http://www.thekitchn.com/jennifers-bright-red-bakery-kitchen-small-cool-kitchens-2012-174301

If the landlord allowed everyone to modify the things they don't like, think about what a horror the apartment would become over time. The kitchen is clean lined and neutral. Be thankful for that.

I wish people would be specific about how long their lease is, and exactly how flexible their landlord is. It makes a huge difference to the advice you'll get.

I moved to a new rental a month ago. The initial lease is 12 months, and the landlord will expect the property to look exactly the same when I move out. Of course, he might agree to upgrades, but how much would I really want to spend on a place I might only be in for a year?

Knobs or pulls either one would look fine. Pulls on the trim or knobs just above. You don't mention whether you like the wood or not, but if not, fabric & spray starch is the easiest solution.

No clue as to your personal style that I see, but if this were my kitchen, I'd snag a unique chandelier from the thrift store & a can of spray paint to replace the UFO.

I agree, ceiling fans are generally less than pleasing to the eye. But sometimes, function trumps form (yeah, i said that, horrors). Even if you REALLY hate it, I'd suggest living with it for a while before deciding whether to update it with something less offensive or replace it with a regular light fixture. Depends on how much you're willing to sweat to look cool. Been there, done that. Wasted my hard-earned $. Bottom line, it's what you're happy with and what you can live with that counts.

Have fun!

adding here....you can always slap some stick up florescents under the cabs for task lighting to make up for the chandy. 'course, you might well be cringing at the chandy idea, lol. THE important thing is to enjoy your new home. Make it work for YOU.

Oh, and re: the ceiling fans - they're 'design suicide'? Really??

I *love* ceiling fans. Okay, admittedly they look a lot better if they're plain white, not that faux-wood-and-gold atrocity. But still, being able to move air around in a hot climate is priceless. It's way cheaper and better for the environment than running a/c constantly. Get some perspective, people!

I agree with those who suggest you should leave the cabinets as they are. I think they're fine. I would address the walls above with a series of over-sized baskets (Ross is a great source if there's one in your area) which would be cheap, easy storage. I'd then use oilcloth neatly stapled right to the wall as a backsplash. Removeable wallpaper would be fine, too. I have also used upholstery nails to put up aluminum roof flashing without adhesive, and it held up pretty well and looked great. Throw down a great rug (urban outfitters has flatweaves that are easy to wash), and change out the ceiling fan rather than remove it...there are nice looking ones one the market these days. You can keep the old one on a closet or under the bed to put back up when you leave, and take your nicer fan with you. The light fixture in the kitchen does look out of scale, but I wouldn't do a flush mount myself. Depending on what else you choose in the room, pick something gorgeous that is the right size and scale.

That's my two cents. Good luck and congrats on the move! : )

standard issue, and you will be charged for holes in cabinetry (the repair will show). it really is not that bad. can brighten the backsplash w/some decorative plates (as modern or ethnic or traditional as you like) on hangers where those holes will be much easier to mend. just consider that kitchens get greasy; perhaps washing down all the cabinets w/ imitation tsp will help?

I think the cupboards just look dirty - you'd be surprised what soap and water can do. Use a mild soap (even baby shampoo is good) - and not too much and wash and wash and wash! I bet the front of the cupboards haven't been cleaned in a good long time. Once they are cleaned up, you won't feel the need for pulls.

And I agree with most posters here - a backsplash is a must! A beautiful blue with plexiglass on it - you 'tack' the plexiglass in the corners for easy removal later... fill up the little holes and your good to go... see here : http://fortyweeksandthensome.blogspot.ca/2012/04/craftsdiy-back-painted-kitchen.html

I wouldn't touch the cabinets either and I agree with the suggestion of putting beautiful lights under the cabinets and with some decoracion with white pots and green herbs/plants it would look better..

Ah and also I would change the lamp in the ceiling.

I thing you can improve your kitchen a lot through the lightening...

apologies for the spelling mistakes (doing many things at the same time):
I think that you can improve your kitchen with a better lighting...

This is Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for all the great ideas! As I said we're a pretty handy couple and we've decided to change several things in the house, including light fixtures, faucets, and shower heads. Since we have a large garage we've just put the old fixtures in a box and labelled what they are so we'll be able to put them back up in a few years when we move out. At this point, I think we've decided to get a new kitchen faucet and to replace the ceiling fan and UFO fixture with matching flush mount fixtures (my boyfriend is 6'5" and having the ceiling fan right at the bottom of our stairs keeps resulting in the globe on the floor and lots of cursing. Also, we have central air and all of our windows open so it is unlikely that we will use the fan). Other than that I think we're going to put our herb garden in the kitchen window and get this island: http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12180006. We have a framed chalk board I that I made that we're going to hang up as well as an old sign that says "tank water" that we're going to hang over the sink.

If you need a lot more light, replace the fan with a lightweight track light. They come in all sorts of styles now. I replaced my downward hanging light over the dining table, which had one measly bulb in it, with a track light that has four brighter and adjustable led lights. I also added a dimmer switch, to allow for candles at dinner. Now it lights wall art and a much wider space. One light illuminates a formerly dark area. I also used a matching four track light to replace the ceiling light in our entry hallway which had no light in the coat closet, one hallway wall is painted brown. It was like walking into a cave. I used the same four light track light and positioned one to shine on the art and one to shine into the coat closet when its door was open. It is much more welcoming in there!

Having lived in a hot climate, if you need the fan like we did, change the blades, the entire fan or get a new shade kit for the bulb.

I must warn you against contact paper. The glue gets stuck on and become a major chore to remove.

And are you sure the landlord is okay with you drilling holes in the cabinets for door knobs?

And a ceiling fan really helps keeping the room cool as well as circulating warm air in the winter. You might be able to find a new globe, however.

I really wish AT would do a post on ceiling fans - there are options that look good but you have to know where to shop, or how to DIY them.

I would keep the fan for practical reasons. Would not harm the doors, since you are on a rent.
The most cheap solution I can think of, is to choose a color. Add accesories of only that colour ( ex. Towel, light, plates or other accesories above the cabinets, a vase or a bowl, and perhaps a cheap kitchen appliance such as a toaster, magnets on the refrigerator, a small radio, a curtain, a doorhandle). You can add stickers of the same colour on the walls. That way the first and last impresion will be the colour and the accesories, and the rest of the kitchen will become a faided background. In order to prepare the mind of those entering the kitchen to pay attention to the colour, place a drawing/picture on the corridor wall outside the kitchen