How do I update the old brown cabinets in rented apartment?

You could definitely look into contact paper for the cabinet fronts or to do a faux backsplash. It is removable. good luck!

If you are allowed to paint I would add a new color to the walls. You could also use peel and stick wallpaper--it would be easily removed when it's time to move. Add a coordinating valance and matching rug.

Contact or peel & stick vinyl to cover door fronts, facing, & sides. Add moulding & trim by using vinyl peel & stick to create frames or cross strips of moulding on doors & drawer fronts. This will all be removable back to original when you leave.

There are many peel & stick vinyl wall borders to put up above backsplash if you want color there OR, use vinyl peel & stick patterned wall paper for back splash.

Think in terms of peel & stick vinyl. Surprising at what all is available for this now. AMAZON is a great source for this.

Will they allow you to add pulls? That would help a lot. I agree with the contact paper solution Morgan suggested.

Can you use something like Old English Scratch Cover or Howard's Restor-A-Finish? That might help them to be more uniform as well as darken them a shade or two for a more updated look.

I used peel and stick in white what a difference also had 2rows of tiles as back splash so got some sticky tiles to put on top . To finish off I put some Handles on as only had a little groove for opening which was a pine look so left as was it helped to finish off. Members of housing been in my house and congratulated me on how well it looked !!!!! Think cost in Scotland was about £20/£25 .

Ask the landlord if you can use pulls/handles like suggested above. Then, offer to leave them when you go. Put some pretty things above the cupboards and a lacy bright curtain up. Hang some dainty plants, or faux if you are like me who can't grow anything but mold!

Not sure how it would look on cabinets but I remember seeing a tv designer take fabric and hanging it as wallpaper using liquid starch. It sticks but you can easily peel it right off w no damage. Maybe that would work?

They make wallpaper you can peel off. It comes in a variety of patterns and colors. Might be pricey

Or, take the top doors off, leave open shelves. Store the doors and hardware in a closet, be sure you number them so you can easily reinstall them when you leave.

Nalani's idea works great. Matching the fabric pattern from row to row is a moment of eyeing it up and cut a straight line at the top for a neater look. This is especially needed if you want to match you pattern from door to door. Complimentary wall color and w/wo knobs you've created motion and upscaled. As I traveled with my husband through his assignments, I found I wasn't crazy about leaving the work behind each time. So, I adapted to this DYI and took the design with me. This was a saver when my daughte hit her preteens. Too much change at once was a little tramatic for her age group. Good luck with your decision, but most of all, enjoy your results.

Depending on how long you will be in the rental it just makes sense to make your space yours.

Best way to do that is go BOLD!

A set of caninet doors at home Depot or Lowes are what I used. They come with hardware.

I purchased pine with no paint or stain.

I painted mine in gloss white. I bought chrome handles.

I lived here 3 years now and wanted a change I found great pulls that look cottage like to me.

Before I could not even change pulls.

Now when I move, I take my caninet doors with me.

I will find a way to use them again.

You can paint them

Ho Tobert, Since you are a renter, make sure you get permission from the landlord, in writing, for any upgrades you want to make. You don't want to lose your security deposit. One option is to use peel and stick tiles or wall paper that can be removed when you leave

Contact paper.