I have seen a lot worse some art that is a bit of fun would be a nice addition some colorful apploiances and if possible a good light fixture that is not flourescent.

Funny, there was another thread just like this a few days ago. I see nothing offensive about this kitchen, especially for an apartment!

If you can get permission from the Landlord (in writing, to cover your butt), the kitchen might benefit from some inexpensive pulls to fancy up the nice-looking but plain cabinets. I agree with Patricia, to choose a couple colors you like for some appliances that will come in handy, like a Kitchenaid stand mixer, art, and a forgiving rug.

After that, if there was a way to negotiate for better lighting than that (florescent???) fixture, you would be surprised how much more pleasant the room would be. I believe there exists some type of inexpensive under-cabinet strip lighting. And a pretty fixture overhead (?).

And get a nice wine rack, if you like to see your wines!

I would put a mirror up behind the sink, so you can see what is going on behind you!

Add some colorful crocks for tools, some pretty dish towels and you got this!!

Yes, I would add a mirror behind the sink. Undercabinet lighting would help too

You could also do peel and stick wallpaper that can be easily removed when you move.

My sister replaced a lighting fixture in her rental, she left it behind when she moved but also kept the original for landlord.

Go to the landlord. Tell her, 'please change the light to this (your choice goes here) and I will paint the kitchen for free'. This landlord has done just those kinds of things for excellent tenants. I'd also suggest checking out Remodelista yesterday https://www.remodelista.com/posts/apartment-rental-simple-easy-budget-hacks/

What is on the wall opposite the sink?

Where is the microwave?

You may need to build a shelf over the sink to hold your microwave, you don't want to take up valuable counter space with a microwave.

Have the shelf go all the way across, so hopefully it can fit your toaster, too.

Just have a small wine rack that will fit over the top of your cabinets.

Depending upon how much stuff you have, you might want to buy a pot rack and hang it from the ceiling.

For the microwave shelf and to hang the pot shelf, please hire a handyman who knows what he is doing, he needs to know exactly what type of hardware to use for the type of walls you have. Don't worry about your landlord, when you move, you will take everything down and fill up the holes with plaster compound.

Don't invest your money in a light fixture. this is a rental apartment, right? Everyone who visits will know you didn't choose the fixture.

Do as much as you can to maximize your storage and organization in inexpensive ways.

Don't spend a lot of money buying a lot of containers and organizers that won't work in the next place you live.

Do do things that will have you thinking creatively to recycle containers and materials to organize your belongings.

Spend a lot of time online to read how to do this by google-ing kitchen organization.

For example, you could buy all kinds of expensive containers to organize your lingerie and clothing in your drawers.

Or you could buy containers at the dollar store for 99 cents a piece.

Or you could use the tops of shoe boxes and shoe boxes to corral your socks and lingerie and clothing, and when you run out, go to the shoe store and they'll give you plenty more. If you like everything to match, you can buy rills of wrapping paper at the dollar store and cover the shoeboxes and their tops.

I see you bake- Look at this for storing things like measuring spoons and cups

On the wall perpendicular to the dishwasher, you could even buy a metal storage rack with shelves that is open, or one that is closed with doors, which is what I suggest. From what I can see, you bake, so you will have a lot of pans and ingredients and will need a lot more storage space than the average apartment allows. If you don't need that corner for a table and chairs, I would use it for a storage cabinet.

In general I don't like things on top of kitchen cabinets because they just collect dust, but when storage is at a premium, then you really do need to use that space, and you can put seldom used things up there like soup tureens, slow cookers, pressure cookers, or whatever you rarely use.

Try to build as many shelves as you can to put things on, figure out what you need so you will have clear counters. In a small kitchen, you really need to have that uncluttered feel.

IKEA makes a great rail system for kitchens from which you can hang all sorts of things, that you can take down and take with you when you move, it's called FINTORP, check it out.

They also make a more modern looking one that is stainless, instead of Fintorp's black.

As for decor, you can get an attractive floor cloth for in front of the sink and dish towels that match. There is really not much place for kitchen decor. Function really comes first.

Congrats on your new place!

Would (1) paint a color I liked, (2) hang a windowpane type of mirror over sink, and (3) hang a really large piece of art on the largest open wall.

Are you allowed to paint any color you want? You may have to persuade them that you do a good job and would be happy to paint over it again if and when you move. A meticulous tenant that is into making the apt ther own is the kind that id want to keep.

Those colors are not impossible - in fact all of them - the dark coffee brown, the greiges/beiges in the floor, even the yellowy tan retro fridge - are common current colors (and i should know because im needing to paint and have been obsessively staring at color chips these past few weeks).

its only the murky beige walls that im not crazy about but that could be the lighting.

What ive found helpful is to find chips that are the color of things that have to stay (eg your brown cabs, floor etc) and then look for wall colors that look good with those.

Remodelista just did a post on this. I just skimmed it so I don't know if any of the ideas would work for you, but it might spark something.

Remodelista post on Hacks for Rental Kitchens

As there is not much that you can do I would first start with artwork that will add color.

J Design Group
225 Malaga Ave
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Ph: 305-444-4611
https://www.JDesignGroup.com

I would add art over the sink. Do you need seating in the kitchen? If not, do a storage cabinet for items or microwave. Depending on your style, a new or vintage piece. Prop art on the counter in two places also.

A rug or two, as large as the kitchen will hold to cover the floor.

The DW looks like it has a removable panel, and will be possibly be black on the other side (or stainless). Maybe you can look model up online. Before the kitchen was remodeled in our last home, I replaced with copper sheeting (on the SxS also).

Consider a floor rug which shrugs off dirt and water and is attractive and durable. Consider Chilewich for options that will last years.

i lke their colorful and neutral skinny stripe options but they have solid colors as well . Add accessories for impact when a renovation or more extensive change isn't possible : https://www.chilewich.com/store/floor/shag_indooroutdoor_floormats/shag_skinny_stripe/latte_18x28?ref=product-image

I have also used the product below . It is truly removable and does not damage walls: it really IS like temporary slip covering for your walls. and can have quite an impact. Depending on your budget, have a look and see if it's workable.

If not, you could mimic the striped option with paint, but in a wider 2-3 color pattern. . :

https://www.casartcoverings.com/product-category/casart-wallfinishes/ Wide variety of colors

Or this

https://www.casartcoverings.com/product-category/casart-wallfinishes/

Or any of the other choices.

Or consider this wall treatment and add compkenentary accessories and removable, truly removable, wall covering. Again, you could fo stripes with paint if your budget warrants it. There's more than Contact paper out there! https://www.casartcoverings.com/shop/casart-patterns/combined-stripe-pattern/

following

I wouldn't want a mirror over the sink so that I would be having to see my reflection all the time - particularly in the mornings! I'd want a storage shelf. I could live with a soothing and practical piece of art like maybe a poster about herbs and their culinary uses. Or a picture of a garden view. But see if your landlord will let you put up a shelf or even a spice rack.