As a renter, living in a space you don’t feel reflects your style can be a little disheartening, especially when that space is where you dream up tasty recipes and create delicious meals. You might be design savvy and stylish, but a strict property manager can cramp your attempts at a high-end kitchen makeover. If you’re feeling that your style options are limited, don’t be discouraged, because there are plenty of budget tricks that you can use to make your kitchen look expensive, by creating space, color, contrast, and a look all your own.
Open Cabinets
Project via Hometalker Brittany @Pretty Handy Girl
When your cabinets are underwhelming but your property manager won’t let you paint or change them, it’s time for the perfect temporary solution. Simply remove your cabinet doors (store the screws and hardware in a baggie taped to each door), and stow them out of the way. Open shelving gives your kitchen more depth and variety, and the chance to put your beautiful dishes on display.
Herbs, Terrariums, and Houseplants
Project via Hometalker Addison @Changing My Destiny
Adding some countertop plants to your kitchen creates the illusion of a luxurious, well-kept space. Try placing a long-leafed houseplant in an open corner, or add a succulent terrarium or a small herb garden to your countertop. No matter how tired your countertops look, adding some green, leafy life will perk up your kitchen and create some magazine-worthy charm. You can find more apartment gardening tips on ForRent.
Window Treatments
Project via Hometalker Christy @11 Magnolia Lane
You know those luxurious looking window curtains that you see in celebrity kitchens and dining rooms? You can actually add that look to your own house, by framing your windows, big and small, with sophisticated curtains. Remember, contrast is classy, so choose a curtain color that stands out against your countertops and wall color.
Clean Countertops
Project via Hometalker Erin @Magenta & Lime
Take a look at any home design magazine — every kitchen you see will have open countertops free of clutter. There may be a vase of fresh flowers, or a cute ceramic container with some wooden spoons, but you’ll rarely find a mixing bowl, or some left out oil or food. Keeping countertops clutter free is a no-cost and easy way to fake a high-end kitchen.
Colorful Rugs
Project via Hometalker Taryn @Design, Dining, Diapers
If you’re not too fond of your plain floors, add a rug to distract the eye. Besides covering up your unwanted surfaces, a bold rug is the perfect way to accentuate a color palette in your kitchen. Simply display bowls, utensils, art, or flowers in the palette of your choice, and add a vibrant rug that picks up on those colors and intensifies your theme.
Framed Art or Photos
Project via Hometalker Kimberly @Quirky Cool Living
Adding art or photos is always a sweet touch, but to specifically up your kitchen class, make sure your photos, prints, and paintings are neatly framed and arranged. Create some sophistication, with a thick black frame, or even a fancy ornate one, from your local dollar or thrift store.
Serving Trays
Project via Hometalker Melissa @Redfly Creations
Unfortunately, you don’t have a genie stowed in that vintage lamp on your coffee table, so you can’t wish for new butcher block countertops. You can, however, hide the ones you’ve got, by covering them with a beautiful serving tray. This won’t work as a full makeover, but adding a countertop tray with a sweet coffee corner or flower display is a great way to distract the eye and add a functional kitchen feature.
Looking for more great ways to decorate and upgrade your rented space? Check out our Urban Living page on Hometalk!