• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australiaโ€™s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      Weโ€™re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesnโ€™t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • DINING-6-AFTER-0P9A4023Before & After: This week’s Selling Houses recap (Clermont QLD)
    • AFTERLush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at home
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other peopleโ€™s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether youโ€™re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • Screen Shot 2023-03-26 at 6.58.44 pmAmazing $2k balcony transformation using Kmart stone tiles
    • AFTERLush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at home
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? Weโ€™re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • MargueriteNew Sage x Clare range + creative director’s top picks!
    • Screen Shot 2023-03-08 at 9.49.47 amKmart partners with Wiradjuri artist Judith Young on home range
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jenโ€™s a legitimate interiors addict, sheโ€™s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the countryโ€™s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Capella Sydney Main Entrance – Farrer Place LRNew Sandstone Precinct hotel blends history with luxury
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      Weโ€™re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks youโ€™ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • Sashi X Cobram Shoot – 15th November_GRIFFIN SIMM_Finals 36Foodie Friday: Sashi Cheliah’s chickpea curry in a hurry
    • Capella Sydney Main Entrance – Farrer Place LRNew Sandstone Precinct hotel blends history with luxury
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

10 DIY updates for your rental kitchen

By Guest Poster โ€ข 6 Comments

FacebookPinEmailTweet

By Kay Harrison

Rentalย kitchensย are not known for their idyllic makeup. From dimย lightingย to a lack ofย storageย options, they can be aย source of everyday dissatisfaction.ย However, with a little kitchen-whispering, you can coax more usability from your space. Here are 10ย quick and easy tips, ranging from storage to aesthetic, to set you on your way.

Ugly cabinetry?ย 

1. Line your shelves

SZ_lcnfZbGtypakk8VFzEhuPWtDUMiaJcyCdG4pLYRg
Photo credit: Jessica McIntyre Interiors

This is a sleek and simple solution to dingyย cabinets. It keeps them neat and chic without tempting the wrath of your landlord. Select from a range ofย wallpapersย and adhesive coverings.ย This injects pops of colour and personality into your space โ€“ understated or brazen according to your taste.

2. Change up your cabinet handles

ART91ymCj5AV0oY5wf5JILPQ_6vr-ena3l69iTnRdac
Photo credit: House to Home

Go shopping for new hardware for your cabinet doors. Itโ€™s amazing what a difference this can make to the overall look of your kitchen. And there are plenty of cheerful-on-the-wallet options available.

3. Remove your cabinet doors altogether

NOA4mt_ru2KVRuAwGChQkq_SZtKrYQGhRfFXqNI3wLw
Photo credit: Jenny Steffens

So you canโ€™t stand the sight of those bland pine panels or (worse) that wood veneer? Get handy with your screwdriver and remove them for a fresh open-cubby look. Donโ€™t throw them away! Youโ€™ll need to attachย them again before you leave but in the meantime clean-lined kitchen shelving is uber-chic.ย Make-good the edging/cover the holes with wallpaper or adhesive covers.

Starved ofย storage?

4. Wire shelf inserts

Inserts areย a great way for increasing the space available. Hook them under your shelves, over your doors or stand them over your plates to maximise the useable space.

5. Magnets

Consider a magnetic knife boardย to free up your counter space.

6. Hooks

ym137nA23W6Z9cRDi2pRQnee6v533o_G2wYJVmMn70Q
Photo credit: Fortikur

Add hooksย to the insides of or beneath your cabinets. Ideal forย teacups and mugs.

7. Think vertically

PFAYcyoldipOE6mwS8WZhOHSbfic26YqPByW81Z6K20
Photo credit: A Gentlewoman

Install a series of hooks on your ceiling or walls to utilise this hanging space. This is a visually impacting way to display yourย pots and pansย for a rustic aesthetic.

Too dim?ย 

8. Increase the wattage

A wattage of 80-to-100w is recommended for the kitchen.

9. Addย swing-arm task lights

L9eaccSE1uMMzYvsdVH80yMRrpOUGqpkUlKpaSwxCXk
Photo credit: Dan The Sparky Man

Add designated task lights above your counters. A couple of swing-arm lamps add vintage accents and increase your functionality ten-fold. You donโ€™t need to hardwire these in necessarily โ€“ just ensure some care is taken to secureย the cords out of the way.

10. Install LED ribbon lighting under your cabinetry

If youโ€™re a little handy with a drill, LED downlights are to-die-for. I love mine. But I didnโ€™t install them. Iโ€™m smart enough to realise that DIY with electricals is not for me.ย If youโ€™re the same, outsource the install or opt instead for stick-on battery-operated lights โ€“ you can buy them in mostย supermarkets.

La-voila! There you have it. Not too taxing on the grey matter Iย hope.ย Happy renting!

โ€”ย Kay Harrison is a feature, blog and copywriter. She has work published in ACP magazines, ABC fiction, Overland, Seizure, trade publications and online forums and her creative writing has won several awards. Kay wrote this piece forย Zanui.

FacebookPinEmailTweet

May 18, 2015

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Before & After: This week’s Selling Houses recap (Clermont QLD)
  • Breathtaking new Hamptons style home in Melbourne’s south east
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Amazing $2k balcony transformation using Kmart stone tiles
  • Before & after: Classic, contemporary Adelaide bathroom reno

Follow us on Instagram

Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

#duluxcolour #duluxpaint #duluxaus #duluxcolourawards #duluxcolourawards2023 #moodykitchen #allwhitekitchen #designerkitchen #sagekitchen #boldkitchen #colourfulkitchen #colouredkitchen #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount
We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #australianwallart #australianwallpaper #wallmurals #wallpapermural #wallpapermurals #wallpapereddoor #digitalwallpaper #digitallyprintedwallpaper #customwallpaper #wallpaperaesthetic #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaustralia #grafico #graficowallcoverings #melbournebusiness #melbournesmallbusiness #openhomesaustralia #theblock #becdouros
Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed ๐Ÿฅฐ
Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before ๐Ÿ˜‚

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno. L Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno.

Located inside a 1912 sandstone villa in Adelaideโ€™s Kensington, this bathroom makeover combines classic and contemporary elements that complement the homeโ€™s original, period features. 

Designed by the homeโ€™s owner @designby_Tahirih, who is a property stylist too, the renovation came sooner than expected after water ingress made the makeover of their only bathroom an urgent necessity!

The whole project cost an impressive $20k, project managed herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

#realrenovations #realhomes #realreno #heartyourhome #renoaddict #freestandingbath #classicbathroom #classiccontemporary #classiccontemporaryinteriors #theinteriorsaddict  #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #homestaging #laundrymakeover #bathroomrenovations #bathroomremodels
Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we find some of the most colourful interiors from my motherland, the UK!

This beautiful lilac kitchen is found in a renovated apartment by @llidesign in a grand mansion block in London's Bloomsbury. You can tour the rest of it on the blog now, via link in bio.

#londonapartment #bloomsbury
#bloomsburylondon #luxuryapartment #westendlondon #lilackitchen #colourfulkitchen #londonhome #londonhomes #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #kitchenshelf #kitchenshelves #kitchenshelfie #openshelves #openshelvingkitchen
I remember the chair being such a key purchase whe I remember the chair being such a key purchase when I put together my first ever baby room for Seb. I spent many an evening relaxing on mine while pregnant as I tried to get my head around impending motherhood! Not only are glider recliners like the Chelsea fromย @iltuttoย the most comfortable chairs EVER for those many hours spent feeding and settling, why shouldn't they look this good too, am I right?!

Did you love your nursery chair? Did it look this good?!

See more on the Il Tutto Chelsea Glider Recliner Chair via link in bio now.

#feedingchair #nurserychair #nursingchair #reclinerchair #nurseryroomdecor #nursery #nurserygoals #nurserydesign #babyroomdecoration #babyrooms #babyroominspo #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #iltutto #newmumlife
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Avatar

About Guest Poster

If you have high quality, original, relevant content to share, we might be interested in publishing your guest post on Interiors Addict. Please email [email protected] with your submissions.

More from Kitchens

Kitchen

Lilac kitchen stars in luxury London apartment reno

Kitchen

Modern Hamptons style: How to bring it into the kitchen

A budget Hamptons kitchen makeover for just $1500!

Buildmat

How to choose a stylish yet functional kitchen mixer tap

Sustainable kitchen features being chosen by 95% of renovators

AFTER kitchen

Kitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes

Marble look porcelain a cheaper alternative to natural stone

Frama hand wash

The best-looking pump handwashes for your bathroom

Australian kitchen trends: The latest high-tech oven and fridge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarBelinda Smith says

    May 20, 2015 at 9:49 am

    Totally agree! Making a rental property more attractive and functional results in tenants staying longer and a stress less investment property. The kitchen is the first space that tenants will comment about if it’s not up to scratch

    Reply
  2. AvatarJanine says

    June 4, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    Swing Arm lamps, where have you been all my rental life.

    Reply
  3. AvatarJE says

    August 23, 2015 at 1:34 am

    I’m not sure that majority of these are realistic for a rental property if you would like you bond back? Drill holes are a big no no.

    Reply
  4. AvatarMiri says

    September 16, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    Interesting, but realistically, other than changing the light bulbs (adding wattage) and putting a wire shelf into the cabinet, none of those are actually doable in rentals (at least not in any of the ones I’ve occupied over the years). Hooks, drill holes, hardware changes = a no-no.

    Reply
  5. AvatarIrina Burgess says

    November 19, 2015 at 5:24 am

    Some great ideas for me as someone on a tight budget, and please can you include tips re “where to buy?” e.g cupboard handles and hooks, I have been looking for some funky door knobs for a while… without success. including online suggestions would allow for geo
    graphy differences? thanks, irina

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 10 DIY updates for your rental kitchen | Rent Blog says:
    May 16, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    […] By Kay Harrison Credit: The Interiors Addict […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP ยท Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!