It is not a bad kitchen..........Pretty upscale actually.

Since you can't change the cabinets, which are a bit dated, there isn't much to do with it.........

Looks llke you have a nice stove.........

x2 what LDA said...

But if you do decide on doing anything, I would check your lease or talk to you landlord what you can and cannot do and make sure you get it in writing... because when it comes to get your deposit back, some landlords tend to forget what they say.

Enjoy your new place...

You could use the colors in the tiles (dark blue?) for your accents such as towels and canisters or pottery bowls.

Isabelle La Rue has some ingenious ideas on how to decorate a rental on her blog, "Engineer Your Space".. http://www.engineeryourspace.com/how-to-decorate-a-kitchen-on-a-budget/

Make sure you get permission from your landlord before you do anything. The lighting is making this room more of a den than a kitchen.

I actually almost bought a house with cabinets similar to yours. The owner had painted the oak trim on the cabinets black, then added some great-looking black knobs. She had put up black iron curtain rods and hung red toile window treatments, then added other red accents around the kitchen. It looked fabulous!

You could easily take the doors off one or two of the wall cabinets and keep them in a safe place to replace when you leave. Then I'd put colorful dishes, glasses or bowls on those open shelves. Make them things you use daily for easy use. Also keep countertop clutter to a minimum with one or two nice pieces or fun small appliances on the counter. Like a red and stainless inexpensive toaster from Target.

Saw some fancy wallpaper at Target today, the kind that is like a post it note...maybe try that on some or all go those cabinet fronts? Have no idea what it would cost...

Thank you all so very much for your excellent suggestions! I am really grateful!