Check out these simple, renter- and budget-friendly apartment kitchen ideas for inspiration.
Want more design inspiration?
Fluffy sheepskin seat covers on the bar stools add texture and comfort.
Alvin Wayne
Swap Cabinet Hardware
Another easy fix for a rental is swapping out existingkitchen cabinet hardware.
Trade old knobs for something more glamorous, like these gold-toned bar pulls.
Or add a modern feel with black metal hardware.
Desiree Burns Interiors
The space still reads as neutral but feels warmer and more inviting than pure white.
Open shelving painted the same color as the cabinetry creates a mini pantry.
Leave plenty of space for meal prep and keep your apartment kitchen easy to clean with bare surfaces.
Desiree Burns Interiors
Install sheer curtains on the inside that can provide privacy while preserving light and views to the outside.
Use a display shelf for essentials to keep countertops clear.
Choose a Stylish Trash Can
In a small space, every choice matters.
Desiree Burns Interiors
Be sure to stack like items together to create an orderly feel.
Source inexpensive art online or at thrift shops or yard sales.
Source secondhand furniture and sell or donate your old decor to maintain asustainable approach to decoratingyour space.
deVOL Kitchens
Style Your Countertops
Make your kitchen feel cozier bystylingand restylingyour countertops.
Have fun playing around with vignettes that are both pretty and practical.
Use cookbook stacks to display small plants or cookie jars.
deVOL Kitchens
Mix decor objects with practical tools like a stylish vase holding a collection of wooden spoons.
Choose Statement Pieces
Alvin Wayne Interiors
Add color and texture with accessories that double as decor.
Mix and match styles and materials for added interest.
deVOL Kitchens
Refresh Cabinet Doors
Redoing kitchen cabinetsdoesn’t have to be expensive.
Renters can cover flat-front cabinet doors withcontact paperfor a budget makeover that anyone can DIY.
These cabinet doors went from high-gloss white to shiny gold with nothing more than metallic gold contact paper.
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Hang a Gallery Wall
Extend the black-and-white aesthetic by hanging a gallery wall in the dining nook.
Display Everyday Items
Style open shelving with everyday items that highlight the beauty of essential things.
Stick to neutral tones and group like items together to keep your kitchen from looking overly busy.
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Mix materials like clear and colored glass, wood, and woven materials to add texture to your space.
Sharpen white walls and cabinets with a few black accents mixed in for added dimension.
Add little extras like a framed painting leaning against the wall and a scented candle for a cozy feel.
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Hack the look of a peninsula with a freestanding bookshelf in a rental apartment.
Accent With Color
Don’t be afraid to mix colorful accents in a small space.
Take advantage of tall ceilings bydecorating the top of kitchen cabinetswith trailing plants for a boho-style feel.
@ekaterynagonchar/ Instagram
Or let one dangle off the edge of your kitchen island for an effortless feel.
Use Complementary Finishes
Create a sense of harmony in a small kitchen with complementary finishes.
Paint the chairs on the other side in a contrasting or complementary shade to add personality to the space.
@ekaterynagonchar/ Instagram
This is an easy way to modernize a thrift store find and furnish your space on a budget.
Keep countertops clear for a clutter-free look, like this Scandinavian apartment fromFantastic Frank.
Maximize Storage
Hide clutter behind closed cabinetry for a contemporary andminimalist feel.
@ekaterynagonchar/ Instagram
Hang Edison bulb pendant lights for a modern industrial feel.
Don’t be afraid to store a seldom-used appliance on top of cabinets if you run out of space.
Create a similar effect with a decorative faux tile vinyl kitchen mat if retiling isn’t an option.
@ekaterynagonchar/ Instagram
The vibrant green-and-white pattern softens the space.
A picture light over a simple painting or photograph will elevate your wall decor.
Add a Mirrored Backsplash
A mirrored backsplash will reflect light and create depth in a smaller kitchen.
@ekaterynagonchar/ Instagram
Mimic the effect in a rental apartment by leaning a thrift shop mirror on the countertop above the sink.
@ekaterynagonchar/ Instagram
Alvin Wayne
Alvin Wayne
Alvin Wayne
Alvin Wayne
Alvin Wayne Interiors
Alvin Wayne
Alvin Wayne
The Merrythought
The Merrythought
Design byBrady TolbertforEmily Henderson Design/ Photo byTessa Neustadt
Design byBrady TolbertforEmily Henderson Design/ Photo byTessa Neustadt
Design byBrady TolbertforEmily Henderson Design/ Photo byTessa Neustadt
Design byBrady TolbertforEmily Henderson Design/ Photo byTessa Neustadt
Velinda Hellen forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Velinda Hellen forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Velinda Hellen forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Becca Interiors
Becca Interiors
Design by Jess Bunge forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Tramp
Design by Jess Bunge forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Tramp
Design by Jess Bunge forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Tramp
Becca Interiors
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Design byNeva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
@thetravellingapartment/ Instagram
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
@s.u.s.a.p/ Instagram
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Picthouse - Patrick Mancliere
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Picthouse - Patrick Mancliere
Fantastic Frank
Fantastic Frank
Fantastic Frank
Fantastic Frank
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Neva Interior Design/ Photo by Agathe Tissier
Studio Peake
Design byMarie Flanigan Interiors/ Photo by Julie Soefer
Design byMarie Flanigan Interiors/ Photo by Julie Soefer
Design byMarie Flanigan Interiors/ Photo by Julie Soefer
Design byMarie Flanigan Interiors/ Photo by Julie Soefer
