Finding a place for your cereal boxes is a start.

I've been working for a few years on the idea of projecting the architecture that I want on a blank slate. Do you have a digital projector? If so, create a slide show of the kitchens you love and project them on to this kitchen. If you want something less esoteric, project colors onto the cabinets.

Remove the clutter and call it a day. The kitchen isn't that bad and any worthwhile changes would require significant investment. Save your money for your future home or retirement.

I say work with it instead of against it, play it up with kitsch. It may end up looking somewhat intentional.

Since you can't paint the cabinets or change the appliances you can use temp paper.
I actually used colorful contact paper to cover up my 70's appliances. It's cheap and looks nice. Temp paper however is a bit more pricey, but comes in so many prints to choose from.

Declutter, add lights, take off a couple of the upper cabinet doors. All will make it feel lighter and more open. Get a over-door towel bar for the cabinets under the sink and hang some pretty hand towels. Other than that, save your money.

I suggest fresh flowers and/or plants. They always brighten things up!

There is a lot of visual clutter. If you have to keep things out on top of the fridge or counter get containers that all look the same and are very simple. I would move the mixer and coffee pot away from one another (maybe put the coffee pot between the sink and fridge). A cute throw rug in a bigger size might help. It's tough without making any permanent changes but a couple organizational tweaks would make a big difference!

I think you should put on a new coat of paint for the cabinets but make sure your landlord is ok with it first and just do simple decorating around the place. Fresh florals, furnitures etc. We have some summer inspirations for decorating (www.eieihome.com/blog/decorate-your-home-for-summer.html). Hope it's helpful and keep us posted with the move! Good luck!

Sob? That's one seriously depressing kitchen.
Aren't there backsplash acrylic thingies you can buy from Ikea where you can stick the fabric of your choice behind them? You might want to try that.
Can you add some kind of decorative pulls to the cabinet doors? How about a rug? I agree that getting rid of the cereal boxes would be a good start.

you could update the backsplash with temporary wallpaper

I have also performed the 'contact paper cabinet cover', with great success. And, I have taken off a few select doors for open shelving with similar happy results. I have also contact papered my entire (little) counter top, matching up the lines for seamlessness. Also, I did this in a bathroom, but if you contact paper each tile, leaving the grout lines showing, you can change or remove the busy pattern of the back splash, and it stays very washable.

Besides sharp lines, neutral tones and a funky backsplash, the kitchen is quite servicable. To regain some counter space, consider a dish drainer that fits in your second sink (unless you know you'll use it too often). Be grateful you have a dishwasher, than contact paper it with a happy color. :) Play with dyes or paints, or look for an inexpensive rug with colors you want (in the kitchen, cloth is quickly stained, don't waste big bucks). I just went over my cold tile kitchen this winter with 16x24 carpet scraps from the local carpet store (something like .50 - 1.00 each, with straight cut edges). Just duct tape the pieces together for a squishy colorful rug that spans whatever directions you want it to. Shades of blue, blues and purples, rainbows.

Most important, have fun in your new home! You don't need it to look posh to enjoy...

Remove all the clutter. If you have to keep a dishrack, get a cuter one. Get a large-scale ceramic something (vase, flour bin, ?) in cream for that corner by the sink. Other than that, only the mixer and coffee maker should stay on the counter. Add a nice graphic rug in cream and navy. Something meant for outdoors is good for the kitchen (Ballard Designs and Overstock have choices); or try Flor carpet tiles.

If you have to have stuff on the fridge with magnets, limit them to the side that faces the sink -- none on the front. Hang your towel somewhere other than on the fridge handle.

I think this kitchen is actually pretty cute. Appliances are dated, but they are basic and not ugly.

Ugh, I know the feeling! (here's a pic of my unfortunate rental kitchen: http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2012/06/pb-loft.html)

I think you have 2 reasonable options: the first is to just live with it- add a fun red & turquoise rug and some cute accessories. The second option is to try to negotiate with your landlord- maybe you can convince them to let you paint, which wouldn't cost that much.

I've been skeptical of the "temporary" cabinet cover options just because I wonder how temporary they really are and how durable/stain resistant. However, it seems some people are really happy with this option so it might be worth a try!

Put everything away, and get a cute rug in front of the sink. Maybe one small plant, a real one.

Everyone keeps suggesting that he get rid of the clutter but the original post says "we're getting ready to move into this rental kitchen," which indicates that all of the crap in this picture belongs to the person who currently lives there, not the future resident.

I lived in a rental with an awful kitchen a few years ago - I detested the appliances and cabinets the entire 13 months I lived there. I filled the kitchen with big leafy plants (hanging ones and and some sitting on top of the fridge and cabinets), a cute Ikea rug, an abstract painting I did to incorporate the colors of the things I couldn't change and introduce a bunch of colors I liked, a funky clock that went well with the painting and rug, and instead of cluttered junk on the fridge I used colored magnets to hang some of my black and white photo prints, etc.. It's still one of the worst kitchens I ever had, but the plants and accessories helped to distract me until I moved out.

As rental kitchens go, I've seen much worse. I'm sure you'll declutter when you move in. Looks like the backsplash has tones of blue? I would add some touches of cobalt blue and citrus green in your countertop accessories, art work, a rug, etc.

Sorry to the person above me for copying your clutter comment, yours didn't appear until after I posted!

Addendum: Don't contact paper the counter, the backsplash, AND the cabinets. Choose what you like least, and only if a contact paper color/pattern appeals to you. If you don't like the pig, the lipstick can't hurt, and if you stay neutral, $5-10 dollars in contact paper should take care of you.

Oh, and I would say, do a spot lift check on a corner of contact paper every few weeks. Brand name contact paper has for me held well for over a year, and didn't leave any film when taken off. Other brands I haven't tried. :)

http://www.amazon.com/Repositionable-Adhesive-Backed-Vinyl-Cutters-Punches/dp/B0037LWEB2/ref=pd_sim_ac_2

Vinyl with a non-permanent adhesive - comes in many colors.

Give it a good scrub and keep the crapola to a minimum. Invest NO money and save for an abode of your own one day.

My apologies, I assumed the cereal came with the apartment.

I agree that when you move in keep the counters and above the fridge as bare as possible.

I would hang something in the space above the sink - I have a metal tray that hangs above my stove that I attached to the tile using one of those removable hooks (Command hooks by 3M).

If you like any of the colors in the back splash tile I would get a plain throw rug in one of the colors. Something to take your eyes away from the blandness of the counters and cabinets.

Yes, it isn't the most stunning of all kitchens, but the cabinets and white counters are really not bad. It's the backsplash that is so distracting. If you were to cut a sheet of 1/4" plywood to cover it and apply something like these peel and stick "stainless" tiles, you would have a much more appealing shell to work with.

http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/Product.jhtml?prodId=236032

Good luck.

Wow. Not a lot of help here for David, friends!
I think there is more potential here than is being discussed. Okay, David, I have 5 simple steps for upgrading this kitchen temporarily. You can even spread out the upgrades to fit your own timeline and budget. Assuming this kitchen is in a blank, de-cluttered slate when you move in:

1. Upgrade the cabinets with hardware. Ask the landlord if you may install simple door and drawer pull hardware if you pay for it and agree to leave them behind when you move out. (Try pointing out that this will help all future renters by making the kitchen "more accessible" if they don't seem quite so sympathetic. Insist that they must approve your hardware choice before installation. You "wouldn't dream of making upgrades without their approval", right? ) If you get the go ahead, choose something simple and round (like a small knob), to break up all the visual rectangles and tie into the tiled back splash. I would choose something black with an iron feel, which will connect to the tile pattern/colors and some black appliance facing, while still being cheap. Target, Home Depot and/or Walmart should have what you need.

2. Upgrade the floor. Match the darkest color of the tile (navy blue? black? Can't tell.) in a large, solid rug for the floor. Measure well and get the largest, widest one you can squeeze into the room safely. Feel free to tuck it under the front legs of that fridge. This will break up all the white floor that merges into your white-ish appliances. Make sure this rug is something easy to wash, like a simple flat weave (Ikea, Pier One, Overstock, HomeGoods), because this is still a kitchen and accidents happen.

3. Upgrade the lighting. Make, cut down or hem a small valance to just cover that old fluorescent tube light over the sink. This valance should only be about 7-9 inches long, top to bottom. Choose a fabric pattern that is very modern, small in scale, includes some of the brown of the cabinets and some other color of the back splash tile (just one, not all of them). A small stripe would be great here. This will diffuse light glare at the sink and also break up all of those rectangles with some softer surface goods. Use a simple tension rod (cheap at Walmart) placed between the cabinets adjacent to the sink to hold up your valance. (Not a sewing fan? Ask your local fabric store to teach you how to use basting tape to create this little valence. Take your picture with you and they will help you!) We can't see the ceiling light in your picture. Do you need help there? There are lots of affordable solutions out there for renters. Post a comment below mine and tell us all about the ceiling fixture.

4. Upgrade the storage. If you need more storage on the top of the fridge (like the previous renter did), choose two matching wicker or wood baskets that are just a shade lighter than the cabinets. This is a way of embracing some natural texture beyond the wood cabinets, to make it look more like a choice. Keep those baskets tidy and not over-filled. This is a great place for napkins, tablecloths, etc.

5. Upgrade the surfaces. Keep your surfaces open and empty! Nothing with magnets on the fridge doors or sides. (Get a bulletin board for somewhere else if you need one.) A coffee pot and a big appliance (like a stand mixer) and dark, solid bowl of colorful fruit on the counter tops. That is it. Clean surfaces make any room feel more spacious. Use 3M Command hooks (at any Target) to attach removable hook to the back side of your under sink cabinet for any dish washing tools. (Nobody wants to see those out!) You can also find over door cabinet paper towel racks for the inside of that cabinet. (Take down the mounted one on the wall/cabinet!) Store any dish rack when not in use under the sink, too.

I hope this helps you, David! Good luck in your new home and chime in if you still need more ideas!

I would suggest a simple painted bead board cover-up to the tile backsplash (edge it with some painted wood trim to finish it off). You could use some command tape or double-stick tape to adhere it temporarily, then remove it when you move out.
That will quiet down the noise the tile is making and let the space breathe a little. Which will allow you to the rooms potential.

(If you're not into the country look of beadboard, you could stylize it with some painted wide stripes to lessen the country effect. Keep it light and bright - not too much contrast.)

Then choose a simple rug to accent the new painted backsplash and plants.

Which will allow you to 'see' the rooms potential.

Wish we could edit our comments! lol

This isn't the kitchen most of us would want. Take the comments about clutter as a helpful warning. Without the backsplash (or clutter) this would be a plain, inexpensive kitchen with good lines but quite boring. My advice would be to first pour your energies into the rest of the rooms. Next take the darkest colour from the backsplash and use it to distract. Things to consider in that colour are large kitchen or outdoor type mat, valance above sink, large simple, framed photo or poster above the sink (protected by acrylic or glass) hanging from screws attached to cupboard above. You might consider hiding part of backsplash with a large painted box, similar to a breadbox or even a countertop shelving unit in which to contain things you wish to leave sitting out. I agree that live plants would help.

When you move in, keep the countertop clutter to a minimum, put rugs on the floor and buy some plants. It is hard to imagine now but in 10-20 years (or sooner!), you will look back and recall fondly the rented condo you had in 2012 and its sad kitchen.

Its really too bad those cabinets are so dark otherwise I could see you doing something fun with cork tiles against the backsplash. Another option, no idea if it would work, could you get some sort of vinyl remnent and cut it to fit and use the 3m strips to attach it to the back splash?

BTW, I'm not going through the other comments to see if these have been suggested:

Removable contact paper or wallpaper for the cabinets, you can do peel and stick tiles for the backsplash if you hate it enough that you can justify spending the money (I rec the mosaic ones because they have grout lines). You can use peel and stick tiles on the countertops, as well, but they're messy to remove, so it's probably a bad idea.

They have magnetic appliance covers or you can use wallpaper or fabric on the fridge if you hate the color. The cool thing about fabric is it actually insulates your fridge and makes it more efficient, but it's kind of a pain to put it on.

Those things can add up fast, but if you're going to be there for a while (or money isn't an object), they're good, quick solutions for completely changing the look of a kitchen. If you're really going to be there for a long time, you can probably talk to your landlord about making approved improvements, but don't do anything without written consent or you'll probably lose your deposit.

By the way, make sure you use heat to remove peel and stick contact paper if you go that direction because even the removable stuff can take the finish off a cabinet with it when you pull it off.

Seriously..... all those cupboards and you still have your cereal boxes on show!...
Get rid of the "eyeball clutter". Invest in stuff you can takeway with you - coffe machine, kettle, toaster....save your money for when you own a kitchen.

No contact paper! When you can finally afford to leave this kitchen behind and move to the house of your dreams, do you really want to end your week of packing by finding that you have to scrub sticky contact paper goo off of all those cabinets? Or, worse, pay extra to replace cabinets because the contact paper ripped away some of the finish? (I was in a house where the custom cabinet fronts were real wood but the end panels were covered in a wood-grained paper that was totally convincing until the blue painter's tape removed patched of it ...) Besides, with that busy tile backsplash, you can't add any pattern, so your contact paper would have to be very plain indeed, and you'd see every bubble and wrinkle. Contact paper will never look all that great, and it's a lot of work.

Instead, just keep the countertops completely bare except for a couple of bright accessories like a red Hall pitcher with a red crock for utensils. You're never going to get "Oh, your kitchen is so modern/cute/perfect," but if your kitchen is immaculate and uncluttered, that is enough to provoke envy in 90% of us.

Another 'anti-contact paper on cabinets, counters and appliances' vote here, I agree with Bee for Brian. But take the contact paper and cover a board or something you can place over the backsplash, and things would really change for the better. Lowe's carries a simple pressed tin panels that are the right height for standard backsplashes that can be mounted with double sided tape. Something I'm surprised that wasn't mentioned-the dishwasher is an older style that has a framed panel for its front-it can be changed out for a stainless panel or anything you want.Check for small screw holes on the side, it's really simple to remove. You could even just paint the other side of the panel and flip it back when you move.

I have covered a backsplash similarly outdated to yours successfully with Smart Tiles. You can get them at home depot and they really rock. They are a plastic tile lookalike (not perfect but pretty close!) that you can stick on and remove easily when you move away. Super easy to instal and they come in a variety of colors. If you select one with the cream of the counters in them it can update the whole space. I also agree with the "clear the clutter". If only you were also able to add some nice hardware. :) http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ3wr/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Another idea - you might try some ikea hacking, saw an interesting one with this board used as a backsplash-
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10114874/

I would remove all the closet doors (depending on the color they have inside of course). In front of the lower counters I would put up a curtain in nice fabric depending on your style - the upper ones I would just leave open, and put up all my nice things for decor and use. For the drawers I would probably put some paper on the fronts matching the fabric or leave them as they are...

Hi - You can put bead board over the tile/wallpaper and do it temporary. You can search it - there is a whole tutorial - you basically cut it precisely to fit the area, then you add a dollop of glue gun glue on each corner of bead board - it has to be glue gun glue and it has to be a dollop (not spread all over) - this way, it just peels right off when you take the bead board down. I am seriously going to do this in my own kitchen.

Other than that, I would not try to make the kitchen be something it is not. Make it be as clean and clutter free as possible. Add a really good rug - maybe something colorful. Go ahead and put out your cool things - things you like. Don't worry about matching a odd preexisting color scheme - if you like red or green or orange,etc.. this becomes the focal point and the dull colors just go away. Put a funky print up - use fabric at the window if you like - there are many things you could do to make it much better!

@SJMC... any chance we could see a picture of your old kitchen?

Clean, clean, clean. Minimal things on counters, but if you are going to store utensils and or keep cannisters on counter have them be the same color. Looks like the backsplash has plenty of color in it already. Stay within that palette or only add one other color. Keep it light. Having things on the counter in matching containers will keep it cleaner and not so busy looking. Don't put things on the outside of the fridge, your kitchen can be spotless and if the fridge is covered with stuff it will never look spotless. A kitchen that is clean and moderately decorated always looks best.

If you are like me and don't see an end to renting in the near future, saving money for your "real" house or just waiting for the day that you are finally able to afford a nicer rental are depressing options... I think a space that reflects your own style and personality is much more inviting and comfortable, even if it's simply "lipstick on a pig" as other commenters have mentioned. So go for the contact paper or solid tile tattoos. I personally think that covering the tile backsplash would do wonders. I like it, but it just doesn't jive with the contemporary cabinetry. Also, 3M command hooks work as unique removable hardware. Get the metal hooks, or spray paint the plastic hooks with a high-gloss enamel to make them look like painted metal. Good luck!