10 Ways to Personalise Your Rented Home's Kitchen
These easy takeaway ideas will give your rental kitchen some personality without permanently altering the space
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but when the house isn’t your own it can be a challenge to make this space feel like the life and soul of the party. Rental properties tend to come with a lot of restrictions, and the limitations on how far you can inject your own style and personality into the rooms can be very frustrating. Find some inspiration for perking up your rental with these creative ideas and styling suggestions; they’ll help you make your kitchen a tad more inviting and, best of all, you can take these ideas on to your next property without leaving a trace.
Bold tea towels are an inexpensive way to bring instant colour to your kitchen. Simply hang your favourite design over the oven door or in front of the sink for an attention-grabbing effect.
2. Crate idea for benchtops
Crates are synonymous with rustic, country style and popping one onto your countertop will bring buckets of period charm to your kitchen. It will also increase your storage space and provide extra surfaces from which to hang utensils. Try stacking two or more crates for an alternative take on cubby hole shelving, and a couple piled up on the floor will make handy vegetable storage.
Look at more creative uses for crates
Crates are synonymous with rustic, country style and popping one onto your countertop will bring buckets of period charm to your kitchen. It will also increase your storage space and provide extra surfaces from which to hang utensils. Try stacking two or more crates for an alternative take on cubby hole shelving, and a couple piled up on the floor will make handy vegetable storage.
Look at more creative uses for crates
3. Make your island dreams a reality
Create your own kitchen island with a freestanding trolley that you can wheel away when it’s time to move out. Find one with lockable castors so it’s stable enough to sit at and it becomes an ideal workspace or eating area.
Create your own kitchen island with a freestanding trolley that you can wheel away when it’s time to move out. Find one with lockable castors so it’s stable enough to sit at and it becomes an ideal workspace or eating area.
Track down freestanding units with an industrial vibe to give your rental kitchen some style cred.
4. Introduce plenty of homey touches
The key to making your dull kitchen feel welcoming is to add plenty of homey touches that will bring in a relaxed vibe. Leave cookbooks on display for a lived-in feel and use house plants or decorative vases to make the space as cosy and friendly as your living areas.
The key to making your dull kitchen feel welcoming is to add plenty of homey touches that will bring in a relaxed vibe. Leave cookbooks on display for a lived-in feel and use house plants or decorative vases to make the space as cosy and friendly as your living areas.
Don’t forget to make use of the area on top of wall units to create eye-catching displays. Adding indoor plants up here will increase the sense of height and help to make those kitchens that are on the small side feel a little larger.
Even the simplest of objects, such as coloured glass bottles, can make an interesting display in lifeless kitchens. Line them up along a shelf and they will have a big impact.
5. Cover up with a rug
Not overly keen on your kitchen’s floor? Throw down a rug or two for a new look and added comfort underfoot. As this is a high traffic area, opt for a rug that is hardwearing, such as sisal or jute fabric, and it’s also wise to choose a patterned design that won’t show up stains. Don’t forget to place an anti-slip protector underneath for safety.
Not overly keen on your kitchen’s floor? Throw down a rug or two for a new look and added comfort underfoot. As this is a high traffic area, opt for a rug that is hardwearing, such as sisal or jute fabric, and it’s also wise to choose a patterned design that won’t show up stains. Don’t forget to place an anti-slip protector underneath for safety.
6. Give it some utilitarian chic
This look is easy to achieve if you have an all-white or neutral kitchen – both pretty common in rentals. Display pared-down, beautiful designs with a hand-crafted element, such as a wooden chopping board or shapely jug. Pop in a few natural textures, such as rattan baskets, and change up the light fitting with a wicker pendant shade – rustic simplicity is guaranteed to please.
This look is easy to achieve if you have an all-white or neutral kitchen – both pretty common in rentals. Display pared-down, beautiful designs with a hand-crafted element, such as a wooden chopping board or shapely jug. Pop in a few natural textures, such as rattan baskets, and change up the light fitting with a wicker pendant shade – rustic simplicity is guaranteed to please.
If you want to take the rustic utilitarian look a step further in your all-white kitchen, create eclectic displays of vintage kitchen ware such as wire baskets, copper pans, coffee bean grinders and mortar and pestles.
Take a look at more rustic accents
Take a look at more rustic accents
7. Use natural textures to add warmth
Clinical and lifeless rental kitchens can be instantly awakened with touches of raw and tactile textures that bring a homey warmth to the space. Baskets woven from water hyacinth fibres are extremely durable and great for humid kitchens. Try adding a row of them on top of kitchen units to increase storage and encourage an inviting feel.
Clinical and lifeless rental kitchens can be instantly awakened with touches of raw and tactile textures that bring a homey warmth to the space. Baskets woven from water hyacinth fibres are extremely durable and great for humid kitchens. Try adding a row of them on top of kitchen units to increase storage and encourage an inviting feel.
8. Look to decorative decals for some playful touches
Personalise your kitchen by adding removable vinyl stickers to ordinary doors, walls, windows and even the fronts of kitchen units for a quirky and individual look. From simple polka dots to ornate patterns, they are easy to apply and quick to remove; just peel and stick!
Personalise your kitchen by adding removable vinyl stickers to ordinary doors, walls, windows and even the fronts of kitchen units for a quirky and individual look. From simple polka dots to ornate patterns, they are easy to apply and quick to remove; just peel and stick!
9. Make your fridge the talking point
Fridges are known for being magnets for magnets and they’re often the spot where we show off the kids’ artwork. However, in a rental where wall surfaces are off limits, look to the fridge as space for a smart and considered family photo gallery and you’ll have a wonderful feature that is sure to be a talking point.
Fridges are known for being magnets for magnets and they’re often the spot where we show off the kids’ artwork. However, in a rental where wall surfaces are off limits, look to the fridge as space for a smart and considered family photo gallery and you’ll have a wonderful feature that is sure to be a talking point.
10. Raid the flea markets and thrift shops
This is your temporary home, so it’s not worth investing too much on plush furnishings. Instead, head down to flea markets and thrift shops to grab some brilliant bargains. Look out for bold accessories that will create one-off displays, such as old biscuit tins, decorative trays and colourful secondhand plates; you’re sure to bring a sunny smile to any kitchen.
TELL US
How have you put your own stamp on your rental kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Tricks to Make Your Rental Feel Like Home
World of Design: 10 Inspiring Ways to Personalise a Rented Home
This is your temporary home, so it’s not worth investing too much on plush furnishings. Instead, head down to flea markets and thrift shops to grab some brilliant bargains. Look out for bold accessories that will create one-off displays, such as old biscuit tins, decorative trays and colourful secondhand plates; you’re sure to bring a sunny smile to any kitchen.
TELL US
How have you put your own stamp on your rental kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Tricks to Make Your Rental Feel Like Home
World of Design: 10 Inspiring Ways to Personalise a Rented Home
There’s not much you can do with dated kitchen cupboards, but if you can take some attention away from them by adding pops of statement colour or quirky accessories along the countertops and walls, then your kitchen will feel far more fun and welcoming. Mini easels are a great way of displaying bright prints without hanging them, while damage-free sticky hooks are ideal for colourful macrame plant hangers (take care they’re not too heavy), and you can always rely on a beautiful bunch of flowers to attract all the attention.