Software
Houzz Logo Print
dahiana_castro61

ugly kitchen it's a rental!

6 years ago

I hate my kitchen but it's a rental and I don't want to spend too much money in it. what can I do to make better. I cleaned the floors and counters and it did improved s bit.

Comments (31)

  • 6 years ago

    It’s a nice neutral backdrop. I would add accessories and a rug for color. You could consider swapping the hardware and window covering, as well.


  • 6 years ago

    thank you! what kind of hardware do you recommend?

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The kitchen is cute! I would just hit “O” and do a black & white runner and window treatment.



    I haven’t read all the details on this check shade but perhaps you could keep the white blinds and mount this above with the edge covering the top edge of white blind. Doing that would give the room some height.




  • 6 years ago

    thank you!

  • 6 years ago

    I love that little kitchen -- especially the archway entrance. I've never used one of those grout pens advertised for making the grout white (although been thinking about doing our shower with one.) It might take a few hours, but using one on the counter and backsplash grout may make a huge difference.

  • 6 years ago

    I tried cleaning it but I didn't see a huge difference

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Try Magic Erasers “the ones for Bathrooms”. They are good for cleaning grout. I have to use them for my kitchen and living room floor grout as I have dogs. The bathroom ones have more power.

  • 6 years ago

    You might need to check with the owners before changing grout colour. It may have been a darker colour and not only that way from dirt. I would add a few bright colours. Like a red stand mixer and red floor mat in front of the sink. Or whatever colour pleases you most. For a rental unit, it looks pretty decent and practical.

  • 6 years ago

    I was thinking red as well! something like this!

  • 6 years ago

    Its a cute kitchen. The grout looks like its darker, rather than white, and was probably done that way. I would add colorful accessories. Red is a good choice, but, add another color with it. Maybe a bit of turquoise, etc. It only needs some personality,so whichever colors you like.

  • 6 years ago

    Those red accents in your inspo pics are lovely. My advice: only add stuff you need and will use every day. Otherwise, it's counter clutter. Since your floor is tile, my suggestion would be an anti-fatigue mat. They come in different sizes, colours and patterns.

  • 6 years ago

    thank you!

  • 6 years ago

    So this is my least favorite part of the kitchen

  • 6 years ago

    What don't you like about it?

  • 6 years ago

    I like those fans. Much fancier than lots. Since it is a rental, I don't know if you can make it into your dream kitchen or expect it to be that. It looks to be in nice shape, with decent appliances (of what I can see) and pretty decent for a rental. I would just add a few pops of colour and leave it as is. You could hang a utensil rack between the stove and range hood. But you may need permission to drill holes and then have to repair them when you leave. If it is allowed, find one that looks real nice and maybe buy slotted spoons and lifters that are a nice colour to display there.

  • 6 years ago

    no counter space and that gap that's two small to put anything. I don't know, it just look naked.

  • 6 years ago

    silken1 I like that idea, thanks!

  • 6 years ago

    Can we get a picture of the whole wall? We can't see the lack of counter in this pic. :) Yes, counters flanking a stove are a must! If you have nothing there, what are the measurements? We can offer ideas. Perhaps something exists on the market. Where are you located?

  • 6 years ago

    Long Beach, California

  • 6 years ago

    it's difficult to get a good pic of that wall.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Maybe some little Ikea stands on each side of range? They have some cute red ones. You might have to put a trivet on top. Some washable decorative plates on the range wall?







  • 6 years ago

    Yes, it looks like some narrow lower cabinets could have been put in. So you have a place to set things when you are cooking. If you have a nice landlord I would mention it. But failing that, some small cabinet or cupboard as suggested from Ikea would help.

  • 6 years ago

    I would want a horizontal surface flanking my stove or at the very least, on one side. As justerrilynn mentioned, Ikea has kitchen islands and stands that might fit. Is a backsplash recommended between a gas stove and fan?

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    An IKEA island with a butcherblock top would be a great place to prep food before cooking. I think one on either side of the stove would be great. You could store pots/pans on one side, place baskets with hot pads/kitchen towels in the other.


    To the right of the stove, you could place an IKEA pegboard: hanging storage for your kitchen tools and spices.




  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I might look at peel and stick tiles to go on that whole area around the stove, up to the bottom of the fan. They have such great looking ones now for not much $ - or perhaps cover that whole wall with removable wall paper. You could use it even if you add some cabinets there.

    Also look at a Habitat for Humanity Restore if there is one near you, or watch Craigslist for some kitchen cabinets that you could set there. Add some inexpensive butcherblock on top.

    Peel and stick tile:

    Removable wall paper:



    eta: I see now that the wall is much larger than just behind the stove, so would require more wallpaper than I thought, but it would still look great on that whole wall, if not too expensive for your budget.

    https://www.brewsterwallcovering.com/peel-and-stick-wallpaper

  • 6 years ago

    Not sure of peel and stick tile would be safe with a gas range...

  • 6 years ago

    Zep grout cleaner for the grout. You can get it at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Will clean that right up to the white it was. Highly recommend sealing it afterwards with a grout sealer so it stays nice and white after the cleaning. Both super inexpensive at the hardware store.

  • 6 years ago

    progress

  • 6 years ago

    Looks real nice.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    It's ALIVE!!!!!