Just because you don't own doesn't mean you can't renovate your rental. When it comes to the kitchen, it's likely you're working with a cramped, dark and outdated space, but it doesn't have to be permanently that way. Click below the jump for 10 temporary ways to organize, brighten and personalize your kitchen!
1 Take the doors off the hinges for an open shelving look. Our editor Cambria did this to her own rental, and it was a great success with the use of some great organization and fun, bright dishware. When it's time to move out the doors can easily be reinstalled without anyone ever knowing.
2 Replace the hardware. The is a small change that can have a huge impact without actually changing the cabinets. Drawer pulls and cabinet knobs are easy to find in a variety of styles and price ranges, and installing new can be an easy way to add a little personal touch.
3 Change or add a new backsplash. If you're allowed, considering painting the wall with chalkboard paint, or coverup ugly tiles with a removable vinyl decal.
4 Add an island. Use a freestanding butcher block island for extra counter and storage space. Look for one wheels that can easily be moved around the kitchen or to another room.
5 Install shelving and smart storage. Floating shelves, pegboards, pot racks, hooks, knife strip — just about anything that takes your kitchen goods off the floor, onto the wall, hanging from the ceiling, or increase the amount of cabinet storage space will improve the efficiency of your kitchen, and they're all completely removable. Ikea has some really great, inexpensive systems that work perfectly for this need.
6 Change up the flooring. Flor carpet tiles, cork squares, stick on tiles and even regular mats are easy ways to cover up ugly vinyl flooring and add a punch of color and pattern.
7 Brighten the walls with removable paper. Paint is an obvious option, but there is now a wide range of temporary wall art, such as wall paper, decals, tile tattoos and window films — all of which can cover up rental imperfections, without being permanent.
8 Replace the faucet. Most rentals still have ugly, leaky faucets. Get one the looks and works the way your want (like low flow) — plus you don't need a plumber for the upgrade, you can do it yourself.
9 Upgrade the lighting. Consider adding undercabinet lighting to brighten up a dark and shadowy kitchen — LEDs are particularly good for this application, and most undercabinet lights can either be hardwired, or battery or plug-in operated for a less permanent solution.
10 Switch out the switch plates. Beige plastic switch plates and outlet covers just scream rental. It's a small detail, but an easy upgrade by simply painting them, changing them out for a new color or material like white or stainless steel, or go real fancy with a custom designed one from an art store or Etsy.
Related:
- 5 Ways to Remodel Green in the Kitchen
- DIY Kitchen Upgrades
- Five Tips for a Greener Kitchen
- Look! Project Runway Star's Excellent Tiny Kitchen
- Rental Kitchen Renovation: How Far Would You Go?
- Ten Kitchen Improvements for Renters
(Images as linked above)
Find Your Style: 20 Classic to Contemporary Kitchens to Add to Your Inspiration Board
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
10 Ways to Put a Muffin Pan to Good Use (Other Than Making Muffins!)
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
Ok, so how big is your apartment that you can take all the doors of your cupboards and casually store them somewhere???? If you have that much space you should have gotten a smaller place with a more renovated kitchen and avoided this problem altogether.
I think it looks very messy to take the doors off cabinets unless everything matches and is perfect.
@noticetothepublic, I do not have a big apartment at all. (I live in New York!) I store the cupboard doors, 5 total, on the floor in my closet. It really doesn't take up that much space.
@Sisterfunkhaus, I totally agree this is a less than ideal solution, and you're absolutely right that it can look messy. It's a constant challenge. I've since experimented with putting up curtains (but those were also a bit of a pain), and right now I'm about to undergo a big kitchen purge to really streamline the whole thing. Such is the way when you're dealing with less than ideal circumstances. I would have loved to just paint the cabinets, but my landlord refuses.
Obviously Cambria does not live in California. If she does, she is in for a big mess come the next earthquake.
@m. this would never be possible if I lived in CA, you're quite right!
I find it funny how snarky some people get in the comment section. Chill people.
Sheeeesh. Great ideas for people who might be looking for a change-up!
I don't want open cabinets for myself, but I like this look anyway. I like the look of the wall paper on the inside ... easy to wrap around cardboard and customize the space.
Great ideas! I had the worst kitchen in the world...in my books, lol. Worst kitchen I've ever had, anyway. Dark, pokey, tiny, narrow. I never wanted to be in it, ever. I was able to paint, fortunately. But lots of little things besides paint made a huge difference, too. I used contact paper over ugly flowered paper. I took the doors off only one set of cabinets, filled it with white dishes, and opened the kitchen right up. I didn't have room for an island, but a small, stainless steel wheelie cart also made a huge difference. An undercounter light fixture (stick-on) in a new spot made a huge difference, too. I added one long shelf above the sink counter, and that changed the whole usability of the kitchen. Peel and stick floor tiles - LOVE these! What a huge, huge difference that alone made ($100 CAD did the kitchen, entrance hall, dining nook, and bathroom in my apartment).
I find if I had the kind of money it takes to do all these things, I could prolly afford a a nicer appartment. And don't forget that you have to put everything back as it was before you actually leave. Also make sure your landlord is fine with the changes you intend to do, you might now be allowed.
I love all these ideas - thank you! In addition to great design, the secret to a beautiful kitchen is to keep it uncluttered & organized. I am a bit OCD when it comes to organization. Here is a great list of kitchen organization ideas & products to go along with your newly designed small kitchen. Enjoy!
Best Ideas and Products to Keep Your Kitchen Organized
http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/eden/best-ideas-and-products-to-keep-your-kitchen-organized
@noticetothepublic, I have a very small apartment with a full, unfinished attic. The attic ceiling is too low to be of any real practical use, but as I have two (teeny) tiny closets, I use it for storing all kinds of things. People have lots of options.
And I love the sans-door cabinet look, but I'm another one who cabinets are too messy and uncoordinated for it to look good.
We took the cabinet doors off the top cabinets of our rental kitchen. They were ugly white laminate. I put the pretty/non-cluttery things in the upper cabinets, and the uglier things go below where the doors keep them private! I did some rearranging but it was totally worth it. We can't paint, replace backsplashes, install new lighting or switchplates or anything. The cabinet doors are stacked on a top shelf.
Adding lights under upper cabinets (to light your counters/sink) is super easy. we got some from ikea that just plug in to an outlet, and then have an on/off switch on the cord. just FYI, for the skeptical readers.
we also installed shelves under the slanted part of our wall (we're in a 3rd floor attic-ish apartment under eaves), and that uses what was a ridiculous dead space really efficiently. all out dishes, glasses & cups are on the shelves, and the single full height upper cabinet next to the shelves is full of drygoods, grains, tea, cans etc.
Love the post-86 Fiesta...
When re-doing our rental house while in college, simply changing the ugly beige plastic light and socket covers to cheep but great looking metal ones that I found at Lowes made a huge difference!