Finding your dream Rental Property or apartment is easy when you’re searching on Circl. We have thousands of listings and are adding more every day! The challenge is finding a place that meets all of your expectations. We’re not talking about location or accessibility to transit. We mean the interior design and decor of your rental property, especially the Kitchen. Not every rental property is going to have the kitchen you’ve always wanted, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a high-end kitchen look on a budget. Here are 10 ways to get the kitchen of your dreams even in a rental property kitchen.

Why upgrade your rental property kitchen

A lot of people look at rental properties as temporary. You might not want to live in the same rental property for 10 years, but renting is a reality for a lot of people. You may even decide to become a full-time renter. In most major metropolitan cities, millennials are renting and pushing off buying a home. The cost of home and condo ownership in the city continues to rise; rent is often cheaper in most cases.

Instead of thinking of your rental property as temporary, think of it as your home because that’s what it is! The kitchen especially is the place that most people spend time in. It’s where meals are prepared and consumed, where dinner parties and intimate gatherings start. The right makeover will give you a high-end kitchen that’s both beautiful and practical. With our expert tips, you can use the money you save from renting to create a high-end kitchen look that’ll make a big impact.

Paint the cabinets

Yes, you can get a brand new kitchen on a budget! If your landlord gives you permission, consider painting the cabinets. It’ll give your kitchen a fresh look and a feeling like the kitchen is new. To give your kitchen a more high-end look, choose a white, grey or charcoal paint. Not all landlords will approve a paint job, but there is one thing you can do to create a visually appealing kitchen. Consider removing one or two cabinet doors in the kitchen and adding colourful liner on the shelves and put colourful dishes, glasses or other tabletop accessories on display. It might not be the full makeover you want for the kitchen, but it will add some colour and personality to the room. Keep the door and hinges to put back on before you move out.

Add new hardware for a high-end kitchen look

No matter what you choose to do with your kitchen cabinetry, consider updating the hardware. Swapping out old, tired and stained cabinet handles for something brand new will make a difference. If you have white or grey kitchen cabinets, opt for a crystal knob. Try bronze, or a colourful knob that will complement the cabinetry. Hardware has the power to instantly transform the look and feel of the kitchen. Hardware isn’t very expensive, and no one will know you achieved the high-end kitchen look on a budget.

Change the countertop

Rental property kitchen countertops are probably dated and stained. If your kitchen has a pink or neutral countertop that you’re desperate to get rid of, why not cover it? A roll of vinyl countertop costs anywhere from $15-$20. If you’re not a DIYer, you could buy extra-large wooden cutting boards and put them on display on the countertop. It’s a stylish and functional kitchen update.

Cover up the backsplash

Now this is a kitchen upgrade you won’t have to ask your landlord permission to do. If you are lucky enough to paint the cabinets a different colour, or end up putting colourful table top wear on display, you’ll want a backsplash to match. The space between the counter and the cabinet is a noticeable one. As long as you choose temporary ways to change the look, you’ll never have to worry about being on your landlord’s bad side. Tile stickers come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. Just peel and apply to the wall. You can also try velcro to add a cloth backsplash to the wall. The bonus in doing this you can peel the cloth back, wash, and reattach to the wall.

No matter which option you choose, they are both inexpensive and temporary ways to transform your kitchen into a high-end space you’ll enjoy spending time in.

Cover the fridge with chalkboard

Does your rental property come with an old, stained, beige or green fridge? Chances are it’s not going to match the luxe, on-budget kitchen upgrades you’re infusing into your kitchen. Replacing the fridge is too expensive; instead, cover it in chalkboard paint! It’s a really neat way to keep track of your grocery list, to add inspirational quotes, and to create an overall fun kitchen look.

Hide ugly floors

Like your kitchen, the floors in your rental property kitchen might be standard and outdated. Even if they’re in great condition, it’s probably not the floor you were looking for. Don’t take a hammer to those tiles or hardwood. If there’s a specific colour you want to showcase in the kitchen, go to the store with that hue in mind and pick out an accent rug. Rugs are an inexpensive, non-permanent way to hide the floors. Plus, it will help tie in the new colour of your kitchen.

Put pots, pans and unique items on display

A rental property kitchen can be impractical for a number of reasons: it lacks storage, accessibility is difficult, and the space is too small. Lots of high-end kitchens have the basics on display and it looks really nice. Magnetic wall-knife blocks will fill those empty wall spaces in the kitchen, and hanging pot holders will easily free up cabinet space. If you’re feeling brave with your budget, shop kitchen warehouse sales to find one copper pot to put on display. It’s a luxe kitchen upgrade that will upgrade the look of any rental property kitchen.

Think about what kitchen items you use daily and put them on display! Buy a wooden tray and add spices to it, or other pantry items that will essentially decorate your kitchen. By drawing the eye into these parts of the kitchen, it’ll draw attention from the areas you don’t like very much.

Dress the kitchen window

A kitchen window is a beautiful way to let natural light into the space. Roman or roller shades are an inexpensive way to dress up your kitchen space. Since they come in a wide variety of colours and fabrics, you’ll find a perfect shade to complement the new colour of the cabinets, the backsplash, the rug, and other little upgrades you’ve done. Everything will come together so beautifully.

Light it up

You might not have the luxury of swapping out old light fixtures, but you can change out the light bulbs. Edison light bulbs offer a cool yellow undertone; they’ll light up your kitchen in a cool, retro restaurant type of way. Or, you can opt for brand new regular bulbs which will instantly brighten up the space.

Swap out the cotton dish rack

This is more of an upgraded accessory as opposed to upgrading your kitchen. If you have a plastic drying tray or cotton dryer pad out on display to dry dishes, replace it with something much cooler! Stainless steel racks look much nicer and will give your kitchen that high-end look you’re looking for.

You can have the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, even if it’s in a rental property! All it takes is a little bit of planning, creativity and colour matching! You’ll have the high-end kitchen look you want on a budget!

The post Turn your rental property kitchen into a high-end kitchen (on a budget!) appeared first on The Circl Blog |Real Estate Listings.