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
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
Go shopping for new hardware for your cabinet doors. Itโs 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
So you canโt 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. Donโt throw them away! Youโll 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
Add hooksย to the insides of or beneath your cabinets. Ideal forย teacups and mugs.
7. Think vertically
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
Add designated task lights above your counters. A couple of swing-arm lamps add vintage accents and increase your functionality ten-fold. You donโt 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 youโre a little handy with a drill, LED downlights are to-die-for. I love mine. But I didnโt install them. Iโm smart enough to realise that DIY with electricals is not for me.ย If youโre 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!
โย 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.
Comments
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
Swing Arm lamps, where have you been all my rental life.
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.
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.
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
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