Renters looking for ways to update the kitchen in their apartment. Looking for some fresh ways to update your kitchen without breaking the bank? You’ve come to the right place. The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house. And when you spend a lot of time in one room, it’s easy to grow tired of the way it looks.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to give your kitchen a new look and feel, and some of them only cost a few bucks!

If you’re ready for some ideas on how to spruce up your space, check out these seven ways to affordably update your kitchen.

#1 Hang Artwork

Adding artwork to your walls is a great way to add a personal touch to any room. If you have a small wall that you want to decorate, hang a few framed prints – or even some custom acrylic photo blocks – that capture your unique taste and sense of style.

For larger walls, create your own one-wall art gallery by hanging a bunch of different framed prints around. Or, consider going big with a single piece of artwork. One large piece can make a big statement, especially in a kitchen where it’s unexpected.

#2 Add a Rug

Rental apartments tend to have wood or white-painted cabinets and neutral floors. To bring some excitement into your space, add an area rug! It’s a great way to incorporate both color and pattern into the room.

If you have a narrow kitchen, a rectangular floor runner works great. If your kitchen is large enough to hold a table, consider putting a fun, colorful area rug beneath it.

#3 Add Color

The simple addition of color can make a huge difference in an otherwise bland kitchen. But, adding color for the sake of it is a big decorating mistake.

Instead, bring color into the kitchen by incorporating useful objects that actually have a function in the room.

For example:

You might pick up a few small countertop appliances (such as toasters, blenders, and mixers) in fun, pop colors. KitchenAid, Smeg, and Dualit offer their products in colors ranging from pale, vintage hues to vibrant brights.

Don’t want to shell out the cash for new appliances? That’s okay! You can also add color with less expensive items like cookware or salt and pepper shakers.

Even a few colorful placemats or a simple bowl of fruit can make a big difference!

Just remember, if you are going to be upgrading some of the appliances in your kitchen, then investing in a home warranty plan is usually for the best. Of course, no one likes to think too much about the possibility that their appliances might break down, but if your appliances do ever need to be repaired, a home warranty provider can help you to get in touch with reputable and local repair companies as soon as you notice any issues. For example, if you live in Pennsylvania, your home warranty provider will be able to locate a repair company quickly and efficiently. Above all, if you would like to learn more about home warranties, then looking at some of the resources on the First American website that you can read here can help you to decide which warranty plan might be right for the appliances in your kitchen.

#4 Hang Curtains

Curtains are a great (and inexpensive) way to bring some life and personality in your space. If you find some fun colored fabrics with a funky pattern, it’s essentially like hanging a work of art over your windows!

If you have a large window, you can cover the entire pane with a full curtain that grazes the window ledge. For smaller windows, try hanging a valance on top to give it some unique flavor.

Does your apartment lease state that you can’t make any alterations to the blinds or walls? No worries!

To hang curtains, all you need is a curtain with a top pocket and a tension rod. They come in adjustable sizes to fit the width of any window. And you never have to worry about drilling holes or mounting hardware to the walls.

#5 Add Stools

Adding stools is always a great way to update your kitchen, especially if you’re used to using chairs. This is ideal if you have a kitchen island, a bar, or a high counter.

Two or three is all you need to make an impact – but if you have room for four or five, you’ll have that many more seating options for guests!

#6 Change Hardware

Renting an apartment doesn’t always offer a lot of flexibility in terms of remodeling. Most landlords won’t allow you to change the cabinets or paint them a new color. So, you may have to make do with what you’ve got.

However, there is one way you can spruce up your cabinets up a bit:

New drawer handles!

Inexpensive and effective, changing the door handles can make old cabinets look new in a matter of minutes. All you need is some hardware you like and a handy screwdriver.

Just make sure you keep the old hardware (including any screws, hinges, or nails) in a safe spot. If you want your security deposit back, you’ll want to put the old hardware back on before you move out.

#7 Add Plants

Plants are another fashionable and functional way to update your kitchen on a budget. Fresh greenery, succulents, and potted herbs add natural beauty to a room.

And if they’re edible, you can even cook ‘em up and eat ‘em!

Position a few pots on a window ledge, hang a plant in the corner of the room, or place some colorful flowers on a shelf near a window.

With so many varieties and sizes to choose from, decorating with plants allows you to show some creativity without going into debt.

Conclusion

Remodeling a kitchen can cost you tens of thousands of dollars and months of your time. But, updating only takes a few bucks and a free Saturday afternoon.

Incorporate artwork, curtains, or an area rug into your space to liven it up a bit. Decorate with plants, herbs, and fruit that you can put on display and cook.

Add color with small countertop appliances or table lines. And, if you really want to make your apartment feel like home, bring in some stools and change those old metal cabinet handles.

Most of these things only cost a few dollars and take minutes to install. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to break the bank to make your kitchen feel fresh again!

Author bio:

Lindsey is the Community Manager for Siesta Key. As a Montgomery County native, Lindsey feels as though Siesta Key is what Rockville has been missing. It is centrally located but proves that you can have plenty of space without losing style and sophistication.