I'm a renter can't make permanent changes to cabinetry like painting
by
Wil L
+43
I want to brighten this dark boring kitchen on a a tight budget. My style tends to be beachy country cottage. My dream kitchen is light and airy.
Kitchen window left side
Window straight ahead
Right side
Galley style kitchen
30 answers
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And appliances are old can't change that
Wil L
on Feb 19, 2015
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Add peel off decals to your wall then add curtains to match.
Linda fleet
on Feb 19, 2015
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...I know its difficult when things cant be painted, etc. However, you CAN change out your light , and change it back to the one that was there( when you moved in ). A nice shelf above your window, or some kind of architectural detail will add a lot to the empty space above the window, as will shutters of some kind on each side of he window, to make it look more ' cottagey/ beachy'. I would add a nice long rug ( runner ) OR two of the same design , to your floor in colors that are subtle but evoke the feel you are looking for in your decor. Add some nice jars or vases ( in varying heights) that are shades of sea glass/ mason jar blue, etc to liven up your countertops... and a vase of fresh flowers , on your table or on your countertop, if you can , will make your place feel more like a home.
Shelby @ The Weathered Barn Studio
on Feb 19, 2015
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More specific about decals
Wil L
on Feb 19, 2015
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Could you put Contact Paper over the counter tops, a nice bright color, Then if you move you can always take it .of
Audrey
on Feb 19, 2015
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Hi Wil- A few things you could do to achieve that cottage look. You didn't mention it, but I am assuming you can add some curtains to the windows? (using small rods will make very small holes that you could easily patch when you are moving on). You have those really cute cottage style chairs in the dining room, so use those as your starting point. Add some pretty cushions in a beachy color or pattern, then pick up a color from that and hang long panels in the dining area. Add an area rug and a valance in the kitchen over those blinds to match. For a beachy feel, you can add some rustic elements like a driftwood shelf or mason jars with beach glass and starfish. Since you don't have a backsplash, try something fun like a peel and stick wallpaper (you can find that at Target: http://www.target.com/p/devine-color-diamond-wallpaper-horizon/-/A-15025199#prodSlot=medium_1_8&term=wallpaper). Good luck!
Country Design Home
on Feb 19, 2015
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There are several things you can do to personalize this kitchen. Start with adding some baskets,flower pots, and greenery etc. to the soffit(area above the cabinets) You can get ideas from Pinterest and other Hometalkers. Place some live plants and canisters on the counter top. Pick a color scheme and build on it with your accessories.
Jennifer Whitticker
on Feb 20, 2015
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Your cupboards have recessed panel that you could add a pop of color to. I did this with my kitchen. I cut fabric panels to fit in the space, dunked it into liquid starch and just smoothed out the fabric onto the cupboard doors. It stays on until you decide to peel it off. Liquid starch does not harm the cupboards and all you have to do is use warm water to wipe them down when you decide to remove the fabric. You can also use fabric on walls as wallpaper or cut out appliqués with the starch too. If you want to change the window treatment, you could slide out the existing mini blind and make your own Roman shade using the framework of another mini blind. I think I even saw it done on a post here on Home Talk.
Shari
on Feb 20, 2015
- See 3 previous
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Ikea has wall decals...you peel off the baking and stick them to the walls or wherever you choose to put them. See link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/321610937110?lpid=82&chn=ps
Linda fleet
on Feb 20, 2015
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Sharie Bedford had a great idea about the starched fabric panels. I've done that and I've also bought bright or white contact paper and applied it to the dark wood cabinets. It peels off when you're moving out. I cut out pattern from the contact paper and used them as added, complimentary splashes of coordinated color in the room. You choose what walls, appliances, windows etc that best supports the concept. Then like others said, cushions, curtains, rugs, and bring outdoors in with driftwood, plants,
Deb
on Feb 20, 2015
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(Well 2nd try) I had a great comment ready to send and tried to add a pic and it went to cyberville somewhere...lol So ill try again. I noticed that your window blinds are closed , can they be opened or raised up off the sill enough to set live plants or special items that mean something to you on the sill? This will add a warmth and home feeling to the space... Also cookie Jar or Canister set (possibly with details or color) on the counter would add to the space as well. You can add light weight items on top of the cabinets, baskets figurines etc, maybe some dollar tree artificial flowers and vines to be visible from the floor area.... Back to the windows, you could add a valance to the top of the windows I called it a swag but in looking through internet pics for an example there are MANY different types to choose from... What I am talking about is either cloth or sheer curtains gathered together to make folds, you can tie it together with fishing line and pin them up with the line at the corners of the window leave some cloth hanging on either side and let it droop down in the middle over the blinds.. These could add color or detail to the windows. You can google valances or swags and see MANY VARIETIES (I didnt realize there were so many).. Mainly Im saying to make the space YOU.. by adding items that are NOT attached (too bad) and can be taken down or with you when you leave... Hope this helps
Buster Evans
on Feb 20, 2015
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Go to fabric store, pick out the combination of colors you want to use ( beach tones) the fabric design is not what you are looking for...just the combination of colors. Buy 1/4 yard OR more if you like the pattern & want to use it. If not, just make or buy things in just those colors. Search Pinterest= Beach Decor. With beach look you can use all sorts of "beach" items. I would contact the center of cabinet doors..comes off easy when leave.HAVE FUN WITH IT...
153091
on Feb 20, 2015
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All great ideas. Fabric will go a long way to brighten up this space. It doesn't have to be expensive. JoAnn's and even Wal-Mart have very inexpensive fabrics. Sometimes just two or three yards will do the trick. Start looking at pictures of home decor until you see what suits your style. The internet is a tremendous source of inspiration!
Sheri
on Feb 20, 2015
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You've had some good suggestions here. Personally I like your kitchen. I've lived in some apartments with far worse. :^) Myself, I'd steer clear of the peel and stick. Removal might not cause any problems when you leave, but when I'm moving, I don't want to deal with making changes at the old place; my focus is on the new. But this is about you. I think adding some decorative items on the tops of your cabinets and some kind of a treatment that masks how low your window is would make a world of difference. You can buy a woven wood roman shade relatively cheaply--try J.C. Penney--and mount it higher than the window. If you're DIY-minded, you can also find on Pinterest a number of no-sew tutorials for a fabric roman shade. Have fun with it. I'm sure it'll look terrific once you're done.
Nancy Gramm
on Feb 20, 2015
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Here's a sample of what one of my cupboard doors looks like with the fabric panels. They've actually stayed up there for a couple of years. If they get dirty, I just take them down (they pull right off with zero effort), hand wash the fabric, re-soak with liquid starch and put back up. I'm getting tired of this fabric so I'll be looking for a new design soon.
Shari
on Feb 20, 2015
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Command hooks are a great way to be able to hang things on walls or cabinets faces. Strategically placed bright kitchen towels or bright colored sun catchers will add brightness. You could possibly use some of the larger command hooks to support a small curtain rod for some brightly colored cafe curtains. I also would ask your landlord to write down all the things he wouldn't mind you doing. Add that you would run it by him first just to be sure. A tennant that respects the landlords property might just be able to do a little more decorating.
William Tillis
on Feb 20, 2015
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Another thing you could do is get some rigid foam board and cut it to fit and wall paper it in some beachy light wallpaper. They would weight hardly anything and stick them up with something from 3 M like Command double sided tape. OOOOORRRRRR, buy $1 Store frames and wall paper or fabric the inside and stick them up, with or without the glass. When you move you still have all the frames. You've had great suggestions so far, have fun and please show us what you've done.
Lori
on Feb 20, 2015
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Use a small tension rod to hang bright colored curtain at window. Go to a dollar store and buy containers, baskets, kitchen linens, etc. in a color that coordinates with curtain. You could actually remove the cabinet doors (maybe just the top ones) so your colorful new storage containers are always visible. Bright colored kitchen rugs. I assume you've already asked your landlord if you could paint or stain the cabinets.
Esther W
on Feb 20, 2015
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Looks better than any apt I ever rented! LOL The easiest solution to me is dry, strippable wallpaper that can be easily removed when you move. There are thousands of patterns to choose from so you could get one for the beachy cottage theme. That, and a few accessories to complement your theme should make the space more pleasing to you.
Marion Nesbitt
on Feb 20, 2015
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as easy as it is to use fabric on cabinets, i have seen walls done in liquid starched fabric and it will not damage walls and just peels off....so u can do solids and prints....
Sharon Reynolds
on Feb 20, 2015
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I am a renter too. Scrubbing the entire kitchen until it was sparkling clean made a HUGE difference. I scrubbed my wood cabinets (which didn't look very dirty but surprise -- they were) with Method's wood cleaner. I scrubbed the floor, and then hand painted the grout bright white with grout paint. I then repainted the kitchen window sill and covered the kitchen window with window film that lets in light while hiding my ugly view of my neighbor's messy living room (lucky me -- they never close their shades). I then replaced the kitchen light fixture with a fun large hanging pendant lamp that I found at Ikea. All of these things made my rental kitchen look brighter and fresher. I also gained a little extra storage because I use the window sill now to store large trays and cook books.
Deirdre Sullivan
on Feb 20, 2015
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I'm sorry but I don't feel sorry for anything you are living with. This is a RENTAL and it is lovely. Try some greenery and colorful canisters or something. I've been a landlady and no pasting of anything on walls. Live with it and be grateful.
Suzanne
on Feb 21, 2015
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Understand where Suzanne is coming from and must agree with her; but wish it had been said in a different tone. Isabelle LaRue has great ideas on how to liven up rentals WITHOUT damaged to wall etc. No paste, paint, etc. Her ideas are budget friendly - but not cheap. Couldn't find her post on Hometalk - so I went to her webpage http://www.engineeryourspace.com/how-to-decorate-a-kitchen-on-a-budget/ Other ideas are to use Command strips, they leave no glue residue, or damage walls.
Carmen
on Feb 21, 2015
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I would make a window box for the top of the window. You could have an opening cut into it so you could hang a valance if you would like. A red print maybe would be nice. It would brighten up the space.
Elizabeth
on Feb 21, 2015
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You know, I looked at the brown wall on one side of window, and then the other pic showing cabinet edge...not seeing the window wall straight on I couldn't see anything wrong with it. You're RIGHT, that window wall is nothing but boring. Sorry if I offended you.
Suzanne
on Feb 22, 2015
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Have been both a renter and a landlord. Never had a problem with dry, strippable paper. Told tenants they had to remove it, and wash the walls down with warm water with a bit of vinegar in it to remove glue residue when they moved. Never had to sand in prep for painting. Used to surprise me when prospective tenants asked if they could hang pictures - they're paying rent to have a home! (My answer was as long as they didn't use anchors which create a mess if removed.)
Marion Nesbitt
on Feb 22, 2015
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You could always use some decorative wall decals. They peel off with minimal effort. Just prep the wall first with water and vinegar mixture.
She DIYs | Jamie
on Feb 27, 2015
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Might be tacky to u but does work if u have the patience. Get good quality contact paper and use like wallpaper.
B
on Jul 07, 2016
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Fun stuff! I have purchased and used bath tub stickers on Kitchen walls. Other rentals I cut plexiglas to cover the ends of cabinets, drilled fine holes in 4 corners to nail them to the cupboards. Allows you to put photos behind the plastic if you want to or gift wrap that makes it look cool.
Anita Elaine
on Jul 07, 2016
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I agree decals or temporary wallpaper (no glue necessary, it's peel and stick and removes easily) are good ideas. If all else fails, paint is cheap.. Get a stencil that you like and go after it. Just repaint white before you leave. I did a black check border above the soffit in my plain white rental kitchen.
Bar822173
on Aug 30, 2016
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