Change out the blind for something with a bit more colour and put shelves over the baby window to connect the right hand press to the wall. Some kind of backsplash treatment would also make it look less unfinished.

You could do some type of backsplash, maybe remove that one cabinet on the right side and put a couple shelves and since it really is the main focus of that wall a great window treatment??

Maybe you could rehang the upper cabinets? I don't know if the landlord would be ok with that, but if you could do that (maybe you could even change it back before moving out?) it could help a lot! Check this out http://urbangraceinteriors.typepad.com/the_blog/2009/01/a-kitchen-intervention.html
Maybe you could show that to the landlord and ask if it would be ok if you rehang them and add a shelf under it like they did.

Maybe some nice, special pulls would help to make it more you? A few very special accessoires like an awesome vintage teapot, pretty towels or a beautiful fruitbowl can help too. If possibly I would try to have only a few things on the countertop, but they should be useful AND beautiful.

I would choose a wall color to help soften the look of the cheap looking cabinets and warm it up a bit....perhaps a martini olive green or orange. Also consider a cool MCM stencil pattern on the back splash. Loose the upper cabinet to the right of the window, head to ever affordable IKEA and add open metal shelving or a pot rack. Add some small herb plants in attractive color co-ordinating pots (preferably small and square, also at IKEA) beneath the window. As to window coverings find a suitably colored one and add you stencil pattern from the backsplash border.

Can you paint? Painting either the walls, or the cabinets, are two quick and not-too-expensive ways to do a fast makeover. Another quick & cheap thing to do is to replace the hardware (handles), although I think the ones you have are fine and that wouldn't make a big difference.

I think you could do a lot to personalize it with more color. Colorful vases, a pretty curtain on the window, some art on the right-hand-wall as seen in this photo.

If open shelving is appealing, you can take off upper cabinet doors. Paint or contact paper the inside of the cabinets so they look nice, display nice-looking dishes or glassware, etc.

Well, I think a lot of this has to do with whatever your personal style preferences are but I would first try to warm it up with a green/yellow toned wall color and some kind of back splash.

I would also chance the window covering - for me I would probably try to find a natural twig blind or something like that. I am assuming you cannot change the cabinets or countertops but if I had to pick one I would either refinish or change the counters and use a white or grey floor.
In one rental I painted the tile floor and it looked pretty awesome. But I painted what was a terra-cotta floor white. The landlord was pretty hands off so not sure if that kind of reno is an option.

I'd definitely start by removing that orphan cabinet as suggested above. Then paint that back wall and put up some open white shelving in the space between windows. This would be a good place to display uniform-colored dish ware, glasses, etc. Keep your dish ware color in mind when choosing the back wall paint.

You could hang a broadly striped black & white Roman shade. Also, you could install black shiny tiles for a backsplash. They would look like patent leather! Sexy treatment! If the landlord won't let you use tile, you could make a plywood pattern and install the tiles on the plywood, and take them with you when you leave.

It really does not look so bad, just stark. A warmer wall color would help. You might put glass shelves across the window and fill it with plants, even herbs. A big picture or wall hanging on the wall to the right in the picture might warm things up. It actually looks as though you have a good amount of counter space and some room to move, so you could do worse.

It's really not that bad. You just need some colour infusion via accents. I'm really into peacock blue accents right now. They'd contrast nicely against the blondish wood. Try a bold colour and texture on your shade, then add accessories in the same shade. Think statement vases, maybe some mugs hung under the cabinet, a runner in front of the counter.

Change the blind. Add some removable decals or removable wallpaper as a backsplash. I really like the kitchen -- just needs some contrast.

Would you like it if the wood were stained darker, or a little of your favorite bright color were added in accessories? Would you like it if a small framed art print or two by your favorite painter were hung? Would changing the walls and ceiling from basic white add what the kitchen lacks? Happily, it already looks clean and in good condition, so you can take your time to to decide what you really want to add to your new kitchen.

i would do three things for sure: paint the walls (some shade of blue or green?), hang a new window covering, and do something with the back splash (chalkboard paint is super easy and super in right now. there's also something called smart tiles. they're removable peel and stick tiles that don't damage the wall, and you can take with you to your next apartment).

if the landlord is willing to let you modify the cabinets you could also add molding to the outer edges of the doors and paint them. changing the hardware might also help you feel like it's more to your taste.

If your rental regulations are anything like mine, you won't be allowed to remove any structures, or paint any walls..

My suggestion is a simple one: put up some light flowy window coverings, and then head to the "As-is" section at ikea. usually you can find sets of standard cabinet doors, and often more than 1 set of identical doors. I would get some glass doors and replace the upper cabinet doors. (easy to replace when move-out day hits) And add some downlighting under the cabinets.

Then maybe find some adhesive/removable vinyl in a wood-tone or a simple tile pattern and create a faux back splash.

These are just CHEAP suggestions though, you could obviously spend more and do more.

It seems the jury is unanimous. A new backsplash, window treatment, and revised cabinet doors should do the trick. But if you also plan to use the kitchen for cooking, I would recommend removing the orphan cabinet and replacing it with some bars and hooks ala ikea's Grundtal system or a peg board and hooks. Nothing facilitates the culinary process like having your tools out in the open. Check out Julia Child's Kitchen at the Smithsonian, for inspiration.

-anna
at the chateau

It looks fine, live with it awhile and then decide. Maybe get a plant. Save your money for something more important, like a emergency fund.

or you could go to the secondhand store and get a cabinet and hutch, like this http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-CHINA-HUTCH-1930s-FOLKART-HAND-PAINTING-/110672600160?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item19c499dc60
--take down the wall cabinet and set the hutch on the counter. use the bottom piece somewhere else in your house. you could get and uglier, cheaper one, like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-MAPLE-WOOD-HUTCH-1950S-/320684969155?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item4aaa504cc3
and paint and /or DIY all you want.

You have a great base to work from! At my house the palette is pale wood, white, grey and red. All you're missing is the strong color of you choice. Textiles, stone, pottery, all the kitchen essentials can add color and texture - and plants, always a great addition. It's easy to do without making any major changes. I don't think you need to change the cabinet doors. Just add colorful, textured things in a color you love.

1- New curtains
2- Paint (NOT the cabinets)
3- Hardware on the cabinets
4- Different faucet

On a side note- its your own fault, you shoved a bunch of boring crap on the counters... of course a bunch of white crap from ikea makes the space look boring.

BTW, if i was your landlord, i would kill you if you did ANYTHING to those cabinets.

I'd be pretty surprised if a landlord let a tenant modify 2 year old kitchen cabinets in any way. So I would guess that's out. Color is a great suggestion. Ikea makes some easy to install wall panels intended to be used for backsplash. They are called Fastbo, but it seems the cool colors may have been discontinued. I love the suggestion of using plywood templates to temporarily install a tile backsplash. That could be expensive, but would give you a very custom look. Honestly, I think this kitchen is fine and better than 99% of the rental kitchens out there. A bit of color and you will love it.

Lack of backsplash is what is making the kitchen unfinished. Maybe you could work out some kind of arrangement with your landlord for him to pay for materials and you to get the work done or vis-versa, it will increase the value of the property so they should chip in or at least not protest.

Also, the blind needs changing to something - rattan blind, timber venetians or white timber venetians. Anything cloth will attract grease and will need to be removed and soaked occasionally so take that into account when choosing.

The white appliances are cheap and nasty looking but you probably just have to live with that.

Agree with others that some kind of large artwork on the right hand wall would liven up the room.

Good luck, it could be worse!

What the heck is that under your sink? It looks like a front loading washing machine. Is that your dishwasher? That is really weird.

As a former renter, I'm pretty amazed at some of these suggestions, I wouldn't have been allowed by my landlord to paint, or change hardware or remove cabinets. If you can't (or don't want to) do any of those things, I would add some bright colors via window treatments, towels, accessories and art/posters. The right wall is perfect for a large print/colorful poster, then you could hang a curtain that draws in one of the colors from the print. Or instead of a print, a great big vintage sign. A colorful wall clock and maybe a large bowl or two on the counter, it doesn't have to be just for show, I use my bowls to hold bananas, onions, etc. When shopping for kitchen accessories (timers, small appliances, etc), don't get the safe stuff, look for items with some design effort and/or in color that will show a bit of your personality. Koizol and Pylones makes some great stuff. Dualit also has some nicely designed applicances. You can great some great artwork/curtains/towels on etsy.com for reasonable prices. Framing shops and museums also have some great prints. You could also look in your parents' home, if there are any items not being used that they would let you have as is or recycle with a little paint. I was looking for months on etsy for a little hollywood regency shelf, then walked in to my parents' "random stuff we're not using" extra room and found a shelf made by Danish great grandfather that was perfect, after a little black lacquered spray paint.

You can take the doors off the upper cabs, and SAFELY store them. That would give you some space to personalize. Paint, I agree with. You can even paint a "fake" backsplash with glossy or enamel paint so it's a little washable. And I know they're called dust magents, but put something on top of the upper cabs. Not flowers, but maybe some ceramics. Just to draw the eye upwards. Long thin boxes for storage? Or something disposable and seasonal.

I would play up the black countertops by doing a black woven window blind, or roman blind...I liked the previous suggestion of a broad black/white horizontal stripe on the window. Then apply black and white glass tile as a backsplash. Paint the walls semi gloss dove grey (black would be amazing, but your landlord would prob have a stroke), and accessories in bright yellow or any citrus color on the counter tops. A great color scheme for a small space and adds tons of drama, for not much money.

I like the kitchen. You could change out the window covering—it strikes me as being sort of beige. It depends on the look you are going for modern, cottage? Painting the walls could help. You could put up a clear or frosted glass backsplash.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-who-sells-a-glass-backsplash-like-this-031125

Under cabinet lighting and or a pendant light.

With a $230 budget you would have to choose one or two of these changes.

I dont think this kitchen is that offensive -- so I'd actually like for you to take some more time in the kitchen and decide exactly what it is that you hate so you dont waste money and time fixing something that won't give you the change you want.
I'd like to see more pictures and a floor plan but I have a couple of thoughts:

if your landlord (and I say this AS a landlord) wont be popping in, take down the cabinet on the right and ut it away somewhere safe. You'll be reinstalling it when you move out.
Then go get open shelves -- Ikea has cheap brackets that look good to use with wood boards, or you could get their stainless steel shelves. Install 2 or 3 vertically in that space. Dont put too much on them -- just stuff you use every day -- 4 plates, bowls, mugs -- cups with utensils, and pantry basics -- flour, sugar, salt, olive oil, balsamic vinegar (that's what I keep at hand). This will have the added benefit of letting that wee window to the right do it's job.

On the right hand wall -- the one perpendicular -- get some big gorgeous art -- you could paint something yourself, or make a collage on stretched canvas and seal it. It needs to be BIG -- to be the focal point, and colorful. You can probably find something at a boot sale (that;'s what they call them there, right)? It should be funky and bright and weird and interesting.

I'm not a fan of drapes and window treatments in the kitchen so I don't recommend them -- they get greasy and dusty, and that window isn't anything to write home about so what draw attention?

Another option (which doesnt involve taking down the cabinet) : get some thin plywood or luan cut to the same size as your cabinet doors and paint them with chalkboard paint (or a color you love. I like chalkboard paint). Install velcro on the back, put velcro on the cabinet and stick em up there. You could do the same with zinc sheeting (or copper or or or) but be careful of the edges.

I dont like the lighting situation in there -- its very sterile. Under counter lights might be nice, and perhaps a wall light of some sort..definitely install a dimmer on the overhead light.

In general: keep clutter off the counters (you're doing that now for the most part. But you'd be better off grouping your stuff together rather than dotting the counters with it).

One alternative to the above: get 30 matching mason jars and fill them with everything you eat -- staples, cereal , oatmeal, lentils, dried beans, pasta, spices, candy etc. Line them up like soldiers along the back of the counter. Let them be a living working backsplash. London has tons of great middle eastern spice shops -- you can turn up some gorgeous and useful stuff to put in the jars. I like this idea v much. The wont take but 4 inches up. yes, do this.

Investigate installing mirrors as a back splash -- that will open things up. And consider growing some herbs. That kitchen is screaming out for something green and alive. (oooh what about painting the whole right wall in chalkboard paint and keeping recipes lists menus etc. It comes in many colors now, and martha has a tutorial for it too. Though it involves sand and your landlord won't like that.)

Another slightly weird option: find a fabric you love and put it up on the walls or cabinets using liquid starch. It totally works and the starch washes right off when you peel off the fabric later. if you dont spend a lot on the fabric, could be cool.

I'd love to see pictures of the kitchen you wish you had... would help. If you want, hit me at my blog and I can play around with some ideas.

pamh
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

Actually, I think the kitchen is really cute.

Nice kitchen. I don't think you should paint, add tile, stain wood, or anything like that until you BUY a property. Mauishopgirl's suggestion is the best - accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

I wouldn't mess with the actual units since the landlord would have paid to make it nice.
Having said that, the landlord wouldn't mind if you spent money on it to improve what's there as long as it's still for mass appeal.
As with all rented places, it's about what you put in the space that counts. Splashbacks, hooks, utensils etc displayed well will make it yours.

For a rental, this kitchen is pretty good!

Check with your landlord before doing anything, and get it in writing.

What renters are allowed to do without permission is v. limited, but you should be able to change the blind to something more your taste. Invest in accessories in your taste, put down a rug, and get some side lights to go on the countertops, and pots of herbs and stuff and you'll be done.

In addition to what the others said about paint, change the hardware on the cabinets to something big and bold. Save the ones the apt came with so you can put them back later

Having lived with an incredibly ugly and OLD kitchen for the past 4 years, I really don't see anything wrong with this one.

Don't waste money -- or waste time contemplating -- things the landlord will not want you to do, and as others have said, start buying cooking gear which is both interesting and functional.

You could hang an antique teak chapati board or two on the backslash:
http://www.oneworldinteriors.nl/owi/products/cabinets/small/

Get a vintage Moroccan bread tin for storage:
http://www.medinainterior.com.au/silverware_&_brass.html

Or a retro Wesco Grandy bread bin, which comes in lovely colours.

Find a functional and beautiful mortar & pestle to have out on the counter, start collecting Mauviel copper pots (and/or Staub enamelled cast iron), and hang them from a pot hanger (which hopefully your landlord will let you do)

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/flickr-finds/flickr-finds-diy-pot-rack-spices-up-tiny-kitchen-077956

See the ladder used as potrack?
http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Home/Crafts/Pot-Rack-Ladder-Craft.html

\http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2009/1/30/dairy-house-dreaming-and-the-perfect-stranger.html

Get a beautiful salt pig; find a nice tray to put bottles of oil or other condiments on. Get a rug for the floor. Maybe a spice cabinet:

http://www.victoriasantiquewarehouse.com/items-for-sale.php?item=127

http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewart-Collection-Wooden-Spice/dp/B000TJ4G3E

http://www.deandeluca.com/herbs-and-spices/herb-spice-collections/dean-and-deluca-metropolitan-rack.aspx

http://www.ellaskitchencompany.com/3-10-large-food-storage-cabinet.htm

Buy beautiful wooden spoons and spatulas, and other tools, like Chinese brass mesh spider skimmer:

http://www.kitchenworksinc.com/itemDetail/29155/6%22-BRASS-WIRE-SKIMMER----(-6%22-SPIDER-)-

An Atlas pepper mill...

Just living in this kitchen will make it look much better!

I understand why you don't like it... it looks to me like an ikea nexus, i have exact same in place I am buying (6 mths old) and hate it.

Excessive investment if you are renting, but if it is indeed ikea you could just switch the doors & replace old ones when you leave.

Otherwise, change blind (there was a tip on this site about pasting fabric onto a v cheap roller to make your own), potentially remove some upper doors, maybe blu-tack some postcards to an upper cabinet to distract, and poss storage boxes above upper cabinets which will distract the eye too.

re painting and other suggestions: based on years of renting in uk, you would lose your security deposit. Fill the place up with your own colourful things & soon the landlord's bad taste will recede into being invisible ...

@Ellen Gary, yes that is a washing machine. It's not that strange in Europe, especially London.

Yuk. I hate it too. Had the same problem in our place and I used some pretty paper covered with clear book covering (to make it waterproof). Worked a treat!

Oh, and when you move out if you have sticky residue use de-solv-it. The landlord won't even know!

I don't see anything wrong with the kitchen. For a rental its kind of nice and up to date looking compared to what you could be dealing with. See if the landloard will allow you to pain the kitchen a different color...something with some boldness to it not a pale yellow or something similar. Replace the window treatment with something that makes more of a design statement maybe some matchstick blinds. Add a framed print to the wall and buy some more colorful accessories. You do have to think about what look you are going for.

It's nice, but bland - you need to add color. Don't spend your money on anything you can't take with you. I would get more colorful shade or curtains, a colorful rug, artwork for that big empty wall, and some colorful kitchen accessories.

this kitchen really isn't that bad - think of it as starting with a clean slate! I would agree that you shouldn't spend any money on things that you can't take with you when you move. I would suggest you change up the curtains and add some wall art. I recently made 4 sets of curtains for my basement for like, $30. I just bought some fun fabric and hem tape (because i can't sew). You could also add some small colorful artwork under the cabinets, or maybe some bright countertop accessories.

To the far right is that tiny awkward window space...a fantastic place to put a large potted orchid or money plant! Be sure to choose a pot and plant that is large enough scale to fill the nook and tall enough too. Or, hang an easy care philodendron from the ceiling there, or place the pot on the cupboard top letting it trail down the side by the window....a nicely chosen plant will instantly add ch'i to your space! The wall next to it looks perfect for a large scale artwork, too. You can choose the art work then coordinate accessories for bringing more color into the kitchen. You could make the artwork yourself---stretch printed fabric on stretcher bars, for example....you could even find some great vintage tablecloth and stretch it on stretcher bars! Then find some vintage linens to create a new curtain. Use your imagination!

oops i forgot to add: i had a washer/dryer combo unit like this one for 3 years in my loft in downtown LA and LOVED it! saved so much space and energy it was amazing.

I think what is annoying is that the cabinet blocks that little window so much, and as a landlord, I would also recommend taking down that cabinet and replacing it with some open shelving. Keep the cabinet for when you move out. It may be fine if you painted a neutral color. A backsplash would really help the place out, and the landlord may even split the cost if you offered to do the installation on it. If not, you could do a contact-paper backsplash that would be easy to remove when you moved out. Good luck!

backsplash, if allowed, paint color and chandelier

I agree with everyone who mentioned changing the wall color. That would make a big impact. A modern green would be nice. That, along with a new window treatment and a few well placed accessories is all you need; it's a pretty nice space overall.

We should all have your problem with rental kitchens!

It's a rental. Only thing I would do is paint, if you are allowed.

The rest - just add things with color. They don't need to be permanent. Yes, the window cover. Yes, cotton rag rug. Yes, towels. Yes, colorful tray and serving boards you stand up on the back of your counter - why spend for a backsplash in a rental? Put colorful things on the walls. I put colorful pottery and artsy items even on top of my cabinets below the ceilings. Don't worry about your cabinets. Screw some things into the undersides of the cabinets for storage. When you have color in the room, it won't look so stark.

I agree that the kitchen isn't bad, just needs some color and personality. The small window is barely noticeable, and the wall adjacent to it makes the kitchen look like it just falls off into space. I would install some shallow glass shelves on the wall adjacent to the small window. Place one shelf at the same level as the bottom of the window and one at the same level as the top of the window. Line the space between the two shelves with a mirror. Place one or more plants on the shelf in front of the mirror. This should expand the visual size of that window, bring the outside in, and make it look like an interesting corner. Add interesting things to the rest of shelves, and put something big and interesting on the rest of that wall between the cupboard and the railing. Hang or prop colorful pictures between the upper and lower cabs throughout the rest of the kitchen. Have fun with it!

Don't waste your money to someone's house, better you can utilize that money to your family. Moreover the cabinet seems good. Better you can have some colorful curtains on it.

Timber Floor Installation Brisbane

Depending on how long you plan on staying, I'd set a low budget and stick to it. Color can make a big change, and works with small budgets. Also, there are plenty of backsplash ideas out there, and some of them non-permanent. Before you do anything though check to see what is possible for changes. Maybe you can even make some more permanent changes, which could be taken out of your rent. You never know.

Oh, I forgot to mention that you can do wonders with light as well. Under cabinet lighting is inexpensive. And maybe you can even change out your main fixture. You could always save the original, and switch them back later.