I think renters are always looking for new ways to personalize there space without damaging the landlords space. These are some neat suggestions.

Thanks for sharing.

I wish the existing cabinets in my rental looked that good. Great suggestions.

I don't know if all landlords would appreciate having hooks screwed into their cabinetry. I found that the 3M Command hooks that are a metal, hinged hook on the plastic base work great as mug hangers. They're able to support the weight of my stoneware mugs. Here's a link if if you don't understand what I'm describing...

http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/00051131866935_20090901120334798

I hear you on rental kitchens! My biggest thing is that most things you can do as a renter tend to involve leaving dishes, utensils and such out on the counter and about, and in my incredibly dusty apartment that doesn't work so well. Unfortunately I haven't come up with a good solution - any ideas?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lmcwethy/4463204925/in/set-72157623065447561/

re the art suggestion, depending on where you want to hang it, you might want to make sure it's nothing too valuable (much like hanging art in the bathroom). you've shown/suggested pictures behind glass as backsplashes behind a stove before, and that's been a neat look.

Question: When you remove cabinet doors to display your dishes, what do you do about the big exterior holes left by the screws? It wouldn't look very nice or clean to leave the holes there, but how could you cover them up in a non-permanent way?

We're lucky enough to have a big window over the sink in our small rental kitchen, the window sill, along with the ledge on the stove, has provided a nice place for candles, pretty measuring cups, salt/pepper shakers, etc. I also have a wine rack that's provided nice decoration (even when it's empty!) and some simple art I wouldn't worry about being in the kitchen. I'm also a big fan of the command hooks for a calendar and some pretty anthro inspired hot pads/oven mits. I love to keep my colorful dutch oven on the stove, too, instead of a teapot since it's used much more often, and there isn't much storage room for it elsewhere!

Change the lamp. Put in some nice funiture if the space permits it (a cute little table or a small cabinet for example). Paint the walls a nice colour (you can paint them back before leaving). Putting herbs outside the window in cute pots. hanging a fitting curtain. put a little rug on the floor. hang an extra shelf somewhere for extra storage, put pretty dishes or things in cute jars on it.

I've noticed that in posts about renting, there is often mention of removing/swapping features in the apartment or house. With AT's love of small spaces just where, exactly, is everyone storing the doors, hardware & occasionally light fixtures that they remove?

Thanks!

I'm a little late to the party, but I also just discovered 3M velcro strips for hanging pictures and such. I'm in love. Now I'll consider 3M hooks too.

atbrunner, thank you. I've been wondering that as well. I would love to remove some cabinet doors, but have nowhere to keep them.

re: cabinet doors--wrap them in newspaper/old towelssheets, or nothing, stow them under a bed or sofa, tuck them behind a dresser, squeeze them in behind a headboard...

@lox - white toothpaste works if your cabinets are white, of course.

I would take those shelves down, install a piece of fabric (using liquid starch) or oilcloth (Cath Kidston has a great series of polka dots) and then remount the shelves, a hit of color would do wonders and it's easily removed so not a bother to landlords. Also, collect one color of kitchen accessories, nothing brightens up a rental kitchen like a cohesive color theme (whether it complements or contrasts existing colors).

@atbrunner

When I lived in a tiny studio apartment, I was fortunate to also have a storage locker in the basement. I kept all ceiling lamps there.

If your space doesn't come with a storage locker, perhaps you can ask you landlord if s/he can kindly store a few fixtures for you. I'm sure they'd consider it for a tenant who has a keen interest and takes pride in their home.

It doesn't hurt to ask!

@atbrunner: ask around if a friend has ample storage space (like a big basement) and then ask them if you could store a few cabinet doors and light fixtures there.

I have very cheap frames with some themed photographs that I took mounted between the countertops and the cabinets, like a backsplash. In my all white kitchen, they really provide a nice but neutral splash that makes the rental feel like mine. I was lucky that our apartment (a 70's white box in a building that hasn't been updated since then...) kitchen had undergone a facelift: they painted the super ugly worn poo brown cabinets a crisp white, installed simple brushed nickel pulls, and put in a very neutral beigey/mauvey countertop. It was a great blank canvas. But man, it's small.

@atbrunner I store the extra cabinet hardware in the top cabinet in the corner, in an empty coffee can. So I won't forget where it is during the move! As far as the extra door, I store it next to the refrigerator in between the wall and fridge, out of sight, but still in the kitchen so I won't go crazy looking for it when it's time to move out.
I've swapped out light fixtures before, and I kept the old light fixture in a box in our garage. If you don't have a garage, I would suggest the top shelf corner of a closet that is difficult to use in another functional way.

love the idea of cup hooks, but our cabinets are original vintage metal cabinets (think atomic 50's white, magnetic even!) and I'm afraid it would cause irrepairable damage if I drilled into them.

i have an adorable coffee cup collection that I would love to display (and get out of my cupboards for extra space).

anyone have any thoughts on this?

aprilheartsaaron . . . magnetic cup hooks? These should do the trick: http://www.amazon.com/Neodymium-Hook-Magnets-Holds-Pounds/dp/B001KUWGHE/

For artwork, I've actually found plastic plates with pretty designs on them, superglued hooks to the back and hung them. Even when one of the hooks came off and the plate fell, no harm done!

3M hooks? Yeah, there certainly isn't a white patch on my kitchen wall where I tried to remove one that I'd hung a picture on. Nope, not at all. Of course even that stupid blue sticky tac you use to put posters up with makes the paint flake off my walls, so I'm sure it's not the hook's fault...

If you swap out hardware, just make sure you don't lose it! That could be troublesome.
We hung up both mugs and posters in my last kitchen, and it really made the place look more individual. I wish we had thought of taking the doors off!