Hopefully you know which rent approved changes can be made. Hard to say without actual pic, but you are correct about new knobs if that is something you want to do. Some are quite inexpensive but perfectly fine for a rental. Not sure If I would do a backsplash on a rental but with pops of color from accessories, etc. you certainly could liven up the space. Is there a window in kitchen? Cute curtains would be a good idea. :)

Is this your kitchen? Looks like you have added some great accessories.

For that back wall add a large blackboard or artwork. Add a stainless spice rack over stove. Maybe a gel mat to the floor.

Wine cork art:

I agree that paint as far as I would go for a rental, and you may be required to paint it back. Your picture looks great, or is that the professional pics of the place? If it isn't your kitchen, take some cues from it and add some nice bright accessories and artwork.

What about some matts or throw tugs to play up the color of the accessories?

I don't think it is as bad as you feel. You have done a good job making it yours. These are cool and they can be painted. Maybe you could use something like this for your back splash area.

thanks for all the suggestions. we are actually moving in on the first so the pic is the staged picture but that will be what it will look like with different floors. I will add a new pic this week of what it actually looks like.

and I know it's not totally ugly like I make it out to be but def not my style and the biggest thing I'm not looking forward to, just not sure how to blend my style (natural tones and hues, elements) with the cabinets and counter tops..

Add a backsplash using self adhesive/ removable mosaic tiles. You can bring some warmth and remove them when you move.

Hi wkyoung, your kitchen is not that bad. The worst rental kitchen I had - had carpet! I spent the money and replaced the flooring. What a difference! The trick is to make a functional space, matching the finishes (stainless steel) and feature one detail. The reason it looks bad is because there is nothing else to look at, but once you add elements of style to compliment, you and your kitchen will look brilliant! Here's what I would do:

1) Medium grey paint looks best with maple. Make sure it's washable.
2) Keep the chrome hardware. Once you add your style you won't even notice. Don't spend the money.
3) The biggest bang for your buck is to do the backsplashes on the wall and on the stove wall. This is personal style, and you have several choices: A sea green glass tile, stainless steel or any of the pencil glass tiles. See attached pics. You can have a handyman mount the tiles on masonite and screw it on to the wall, if the office won't let you install properly. But I found if you show them a tile sample, they usually will approve.
4) I love art on the back wall, but it doesn't look as though you have much storage. A wall mounted grid in stainless steel finish with hooks can hold all kinds of utensils and pans.
5) Mount a bracket along the oven wall for spices, cooking utensils, paper towels, etc. from Ikea. Get as much off the counters as possible to visually create space.
6) Change the lighting. (You can always take it with you when you move) Under counter lighting and a new ceiling fixture will step it up.
7) I agree, get gel mats for the floor. That linoleum is slippery when wet!
8) I would put a counter/bar perpendicular to the wall. See pic. This would create counter seating, more work/storage space and will look like you planned the whole thing! Don't know where you are from, but I have had incredible luck with craigslist finding bars cheap. Or a local kitchen place that is replacing some set-up and wants to get rid of sections of sample kitchens.

The kitchen is so important because we spend so much time cooking up love for everyone. It's important to have one you like!

Here's a bunch of pics for inspiration:

More pics:

Last but not least:
First pic: Great counter!
Second pic: Create storage facing kitchen and banquette seating facing living area.
Both should butt up perpendicular to the wall.

Paint the cabinets...

Pretty sure that would be just cause for eviction!
Some good ideas above, of which painting the walls is the simplest and most cost-effective.
Peel and stick vinyl wallpaper will give you a shorter stopping point than paint, and is easily cleaned. There are two readily available designs that would work very well with your naturalistic decor, the first being birch trees- which will absorb some of the cab. colour( it comes in many choices, so I will let you google). and the second being ivy, for a more modern treatment. You could run these to either the cab. edges, or extend to incorporate the seating area, for added punch. I would not update the pulls, as it will draw more attention. You could add additional artwork to the back wall, but not much else before the doors are impeded.
Landlords are sometimes agreeable to splitting the cost of upgrades, given final approval of materials. Should you desire a backsplash, that is the only road that doesn't cause you to throw quite so much money out the window.
Hope you will share 'after' shots of your chosen solution, and best of luck w your project.

I don't think you can paint the cabinets in a rental even though it looks beautiful. Without permission, you will be required to redo back to original state when you leave. Some is worth it.

But every apartment my son has had since college, he has taken his "upgrades" with him, including the Speakman shower head. We all spend some money no matter where we live, if we care about our "nest". The backsplash is the only splurge and huge bang for the buck. Undercounter lights can be so simple and create wonderful ambiance. It's about function and personal style. Go for it.