EASY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS FOR RENTERS: 6 TOP TIPS

Renting a property allows certain freedoms and flexibilities, but not when it comes to how the space looks. The kitchen is the central point of any home and strongly influences the atmosphere. Oftentimes, a rental kitchen can be dated, and it may feel trying when approaching this space. 

We explore six rental-friendly kitchen makeover ideas to make your space truly feel like it’s yours. Just confirm with your landlord that these changes are acceptable and won’t interrupt your bond. At the end of your lease, remember to reverse any amendments.

New cabinetry handles are a simple yet impactful way to update your rental kitchen. They’re a subtle detail that can convey a sense of style, especially in an older home that often has antiquated kitchen accessories. 

To appease the minds of landlords and homeowners, use adjustable cabinetry handles instead. Rather than drilling new holes into your cabinetry, they have adjustable fixing points so you can use the existing holes in your cabinetry. In your rental-friendly kitchen makeover, choose from a range of different finishes to further personalise your space.

If your existing kitchen walls or backsplash don’t suit your style, peel and stick wallpaper is a temporary alternative that can achieve an entirely new look. There are a plethora of textures, patterns, and colours to curate your kitchen with, and most brands are rental-friendly. Peel and stick contact paper is also known as removable wallpaper, wherein the user peels the backing from the paper, applies it to their desired space, and removes it when necessary. 

We have shared some tips below to help you with a successful peel and stick application:

• Clean the area intended for your peel and stick wallpaper. Also ensure the site isn’t uneven with nails or punctures. 
• Draw a guide line on the wall to ensure your application is straight. 
• Use a utility knife for precision cutting around edges. 

Adding a kitchen rug can personalise what is usually a very practical space. It’s the easiest rental-friendly kitchen makeover idea, requiring no installation. The concept of a rug in the kitchen may seem somewhat odd, but it actually creates a stylish overture that protects your floors. It’s also a smart option for those who want to conceal unsightly flooring. 

Choose a rug that reflects your taste, but make sure it is durable enough to withstand the high-traffic area of a kitchen. Fabrics such as nylon or bamboo would work best in this area. 

If a tactical rug cannot improve the state of your floor, there are a number of alternatives that may work for your kitchen:

PEEL AND STICK FLOORING

This is the same concept as peel and stick wallpaper, where an adhesive side is applied over your existing floor. They come in a range of decals and textures to suit your kitchen makeover.

VINYL PLANKS 

Vinyl planks are the most realistic way of achieving a timber floor look in your kitchen. All you need to do is interlock the planks together and place over your desired floor area.

FOAM FLOOR TILES

These are tiles that simply lock together like puzzle pieces. Made from foam, they are soft on the feet and come in a range of colours and lookalike textures.

Is there blank space you don’t know what to do with? Adorn it with art! Whether it’s a gallery wall or one featured piece, art is a powerful styling element that can infer the entire atmosphere of a space. It also is a rewarding chance to express your interests or emotions and have them reflected in your kitchen. By doing this, you can feel more connected to the home you live in.

For those that are curious about how to curate their own gallery wall, we have a dedicated blog that unpacks the entire process.

While you may have expertly styled your kitchen in the way you desire, there’s one thing that can undermine your entire vision — bad lighting. 

Whether it’s pre-existing fluorescent bars or cooly-lit downlights, they can shine an uninviting light on your kitchen. But there is one hack, made popular on TikTok, that can illuminate your space in the way you want without renovating. 

All you need is a wall sconce, PVC fitting, command strips, and a puck light.

After more rental design advice? Read ‘How to Decorate a Rental: Our Top Landlord-Friendly Hacks’ or ‘6 Ways to Maximise Space Under Your Kitchen Sink‘.