Designer Tip: Rental Kitchen Upgrades

After years of living in rental apartments (and decorating quite as well!) I know that kitchens can be the hardest to make your own without engaging in heavy duty remodeling. No matter how basic the kitchen, here are a number of my favorite tips for creating a warm, beautiful space (and all can be accomplished in an afternoon or less!)

1} Paint a chalkboard accent wall. This is such a classic look and is as easy as painting a small wall - the black paint adds a lovely touch of drama and is so useful too! 

2} Add a runner. A small carpet adds warmth, personality and color to a kitchen and also feels nice underfoot (and conveniently hides the flooring if you don't love it!) Just be sure to pick an indoor-outdoor rug or a vintage piece works perfectly too - the worn character helps conceal stains

3} Switch out cabinet pulls and knobs. I cant tell you how quickly this makes a kitchen feel new! You can get pretty, classic knobs in brass or nickel at Ikea, online, or at the hardware store. Or try something different like these leather pulls above.

4} Add soft, task lighting. One of the worst offenders in a rental kitchen is usually the florescent overhead lighting! By adding an additional, softer light source like under-cabinet lighting or these swing arms from Ikea above you can create a whole different mood - one just right for cooking and chatting! 

5} Hang a large photo. Particularly in a tight or narrow kitchen, a large photo can really act as a window and bring in light. I find landscapes and cityscapes work especially well. 

6} Hang a temporary backsplash. A vibrant backsplash is a quick way to add pattern and texture to a bland kitchen. Temporary wall papers work perfectly! And yes, this is temp paper! Made specially for the kitchen it is even heat resistant and easy to clean.

{all images via}