How I’m Transforming My Rental Kitchen
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Today, I want to talk about how I’m transforming my rental kitchen. The work on the subway tile is incomplete because the boxes had different shades of white tiles. Some of the peel-and-stick tiles are white, and some are gray-white.
Amazon is sending me more, but they were not in stock at the time. They’re sending them as soon as they arrive in their warehouse.
We thought maybe it was just the light on Monday. But yesterday, I looked at the walls in different light and dimness, and the colors were definitely not the same.
My daughter is still working on the fine cracks around the sink. Yesterday, she caulked again. She said she would keep adding layers of caulk, and maybe the cracks would at least be minimized. I think it’s looking much better. She’s a bit pickier than I am.
But I will still show you the kitchen today. Basically, everything is finished except the remaining tiles, some caulking, and maybe a little touch-up painting. Get a cup of coffee or tea and sit down because there are many photos.
The Subway Tiling Isn’t Finished:
As you might be able to see, the tiles at the very end behind the far right white pitcher are not finished. That’s because we’re waiting for the new subway tiles to arrive before she does more work.
No point in working with different shades of white when she’ll have to turn around and take it down. Which, by the way, was her choice as we advance.
The apartment manager gave me a new dishwasher, but I haven’t used it yet. It does look better than the old one.
The glossy countertop is nice and shiny. There are mistakes and imperfections, but it looks good enough for me.
Remember, with DIY projects, things don’t always come out perfect. You have to come to a place of acceptance and not be too upset when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Cover What You Can’t Fix!
My motto is to cover what bothers you that you can’t fix!
Below, you see the new refrigerator. It fits the space better, and I really like it a lot. There’s nothing fancy about it. I like its simplicity.
Also, note the gold drawer and door pulls that I changed out. The other ones were round and black.
In the above photo, you can see where she stopped with the peel-and-stick tiles when she had to leave on Monday to attend to other commitments.
When she came over yesterday I told her about Amazon sending more tiles.
She has a lot going on right now and some family issues with their dad they’re quite worried about. Plus she has four closings this week. So it’s just as well we put it off a little longer.
I told her that I could live with the two variations of color in the subway tile, but my daughter is a perfectionist and she cannot. So this project is taking a little longer than initially expected as I let her make the decision to leave it be or change it out.
The Glossy White Countertop:
I like the glossy countertop surface, imperfections, and all, and the clean and streamlined look of the open shelving. I like things I can access easily.
This all began when I removed the three cabinet doors and began to imagine how I wanted the kitchen to look.
I made quite a few purchases for this kitchen redo. One is the thin coffee maker you see in the photos above. It cost around $50 and takes up very little space. You can use both pods and ground coffee with it.
I also purchased a Simple Human trash can. The other one took up too much space, and you had to keep it at least a foot from the wall.
I put the other one outside under the roof extension so I could throw things away outside instead of coming in with dirty hands. Therefore, getting the door dirty and tracking dirt inside.
My Simple Human Trash Can:
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Simple Human products. But they get rave reviews. As you see, my Simple Human trash can sits right against the wall and opens fine.
Also, you can store the trash bags, sized to fit each size trash can they sell, in the back of the trash can. You just pull one out.
Another plus is that you can pull up the top and put the bag in; it fits very tightly and will not sag.
These trash cans are not cheap, but in a small space, you must make the best use of your space. And to me, that was worth the price.
Using My Birthday Gift Certificate:
The day I went shopping with my birthday gift certificate to Home Goods, I found the Simple Human trash can for $99.99. I snapped it up. The woman working there told me they could not keep these trash cans in stock due to their popularity.
The one I bought holds 45 liters and takes an “M” size trash can liner. I ordered those from Amazon.
You can see above where the peel-and-stick tiles have yet to be added.
Everything in this part of the kitchen is basically the same, except for the new countertop, the gold drawer pulls, and the fresh paint.
The Cooking Station:
I didn’t put the red microwave back on the countertop. Instead, this is now my cooking station on the kitchen cart I bought from World Market years ago.
I cook meals in the microwave and the Breville Smart Oven. The Breville Smart Oven pans are situated in the middle of the two appliances, where I can easily reach them.
My electric skillet is stored on top of the microwave. When I want to use it, I move it to the countertop.
My oven mitts are hanging on the wall near where I cook.
Having An Efficient Kitchen:
Everything in my kitchen has been relocated for better efficiency.
I have my dishes and glasses in the open cabinets. Some of the cutting boards, knife blocks, silverware, and kitchen utensils are below.
The spices are on the wall above the cutting boards.
Then there is a house plant, and next to that is the thin coffee maker, which is the best size for this small kitchen.
And next to that are the white pitchers I’ve had forever, holding the rest of my kitchen utensils.
The open kitchen cabinet shelves hold my white and red dishes, which are my kitchen’s featured colors, along with a bit of gold and black.
The Before Photo:
Here is how my kitchen looked before, about a month ago, just so you can see the difference.
The photo above shows the old dishwasher. Thank goodness that’s gone.
When the maintenance man took it out, he told the manager it was well beyond its expiration date.
Below is how my rental kitchen looks now. I forgot to remove the energy guide from the refrigerator, but I will get around to doing that.
The Cost Of Transforming My Rental Kitchen:
I will attempt to break down the costs of my apartment kitchen redo.
Of course, I did not have to buy the refrigerator, but I chose to. It is a Whirlpool, and after taxes and delivery fees, it was around $650.
I knew exactly what I wanted, so I walked into Appliance Solutions and said, “I want a white Whirlpool refrigerator that will fit within these measurements. It has to have a handle and plastic shelves instead of racks.”
The man said, “Well, we’ll have to order that.” I said, “Fine.” So I paid for it, he ordered it, and it was installed a week later. I am very pleased with their service and the care the man took when he installed it last week.
The dishwasher was free courtesy of the apartment complex. About time I got something free.
GianiGranite Countertop Kit:
The countertop kit from GianiGranite cost $179.95, and I bought it on Amazon.com. I chose not to use the marble effect. I wanted plain white counters, so I didn’t use the cans that would have created the marble look.
The drawer pulls were $38; I had almost a full box left over. They came in packs of 10, and yeah, you guessed it, I needed 11. They had a five-star rating. I value customer ratings highly. I never buy anything with fewer than four stars.
The peel-and-stick subway tiles were $70 for the whole backsplash wall. Of course, due to the defect, they’re now sending me the replacements free. We may not need them all, but I originally purchased two packets of 10.
The cabinet paint cost $52. It pays to get quality paint. My daughter didn’t use much of the gallon I purchased, so I’ll keep it in the closet for touch-ups.
The caulking done was courtesy of my daughter.
Total Cost:
If my addition is correct, the total for the supplies to DIY the kitchen comes to $330.00 (rounded up).
The other items, like the trash can, coffee maker, and refrigerator, cost around $800.00. I don’t consider them necessary to the DIY project, but they’re new nonetheless.
If you hate your rental, do what you can to fix it up. There are many things you can do that you can take with you should you move.
The peel-and-stick tiles are removable, and of course, the drawer pulls can be removed. Just keep the originals, which I did.
The only thing that isn’t removable is the refinished countertop. But if they disapprove of it, I’d rather lose my deposit than live with something I hate. They did tell me I could make improvements.
This looks fantastic, Brenda! I love your open shelves/cabinets. Did you paint them inside? I am just now getting caught up on blog posts after being out of town.
Wow, that’s one expensive garbage can! I have a Rubbermaid one hidden under our kitchen sink. Nowhere else to put a garbage can in our kitchen; at least not close enough to the sink/counters where all the cooking prep work is done.
It is lovely and grate post. Thank you for the sharing this. I agree with bamboo and wooden tools.
I have never seen a kitchen without an oven but I understand how your cooking appliances work for you.
Yeah, I know people think it’s strange. But it’s worked for me for 6 years now. I see no point in having an oven in my case.
Good morning Brenda, everything looks fabulous! I love the new kitchen design. It reminds me of kitchens in Europe, small, efficient and with the washer in the same room.
Brenda your kitchen redo is amazing!!
I love the open-ness of your cabinets & ive started adding red to my kitchen.
Gr8 job & your daughter helped you so much. Counters look perfect Brenda!!
Brenda the re do is absolutely amazing it feels fresh and modern! I especially LOVE the open shelveing nr the fridge. I think the only thing I’d do now is to change up those cafe curtains. I would get some blinds that would complete the more modern look! Apart from that I think you and your DD did an amazing job!
I was thinking of doing just that. But I can’t get up there to switch them out so I will need to find someone to help me. My daughter is overrun with tasks of her own and her children to do and I don’t want to keep asking her. I was thinking something like I have in the living room. Simple bamboo.
It turned out great! I’m with you on the countertops. I like the plain white. Nice arrangement of your dishes and things in the open cabinets.
I have enjoyed watching you transform your kitchen. You’ve definitely given me some ideas on how to freshen up our kitchen on a budget. It looks fantastic!
just absolutely LOVELY! and the happy pops of red… and black… and the new pulls…
and I have ALWAYS loved open shelving. it’s ALL great! 😀 xoxo
I love,love,love your new forever kitchen!!! It looks very professional. If you do ever move I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to live there exactly as is. Good job Brenda!!! Enjoy ?
I will just second all the positive comments above. I think it all looks great. Tell me, though, do you just stick those tiles up without having to grout them? If that’s the case, I may very well try them in a couple of places in my house. I have a plant window in my main floor bathroom where I have painted the bottom shelf multiple times and the paint still peels. I even used oil-based paint the last time and still it has peeled. I use a bathroom ceiling fan to deal with the moisture from showers but I guess it’s not enough. Anyway, I’ve been wanting to tile that window shelf but putting it off because of dreading using the stuff for sticking the tiles down and then the grout between the them. If I could just stick them down and be done I would do it in a heartbeat. I suppose I’d still have to cut a few to fit around the window molding but I think I could manage that. Now I’m actually getting excited! I’m going to check them out and see what it would cost. Thanks for the inspiration!
P.S. The one thing I really like about your kitchen overhaul is the open shelves. I wish I could have some in my kitchen but I have such a motley collection of dishes etc. that it would just look untidy and disorganized! I love how they look in your kitchen, though. Nice and orderly.
Congratulations on having your kitchen close to finished. Enjoy!
A motley collection of dishes is okay if you place them right and not too many at a time. These tiles are like stickers that are thick and very sticky. I’ve had some before in the bathroom that weren’t all that thick and sticky. These are REALLY sticky. You just measure, cut and place on the wall. Butt them up against one another along the “grout lines”. There are YouTube videos to help you. Just go to YouTube and put peel and stick tiles in the Search.
Oh,wow, Brenda! Its just perfect!
Hi Brenda – Your kitchen looks absolutely beautiful!! I love the tiles and the way you have decorated it!! You and your daughter are so talented!! Sending hugs to you and your precious fur babies!!
Your reno looks wonderful! I understand when you say even if you are renting, you have to like your surroundings. I would be the same. Great job!
Everything is just beautiful ! You are so creative . I wish I was more daring to change things up here .
Push your limits. Just for the heck of it. See what happens.
I had no idea you could buy tile that was peel and stick, and remove it too,if you had to. I LOVE it in your kitchen, it just looks great!!! Well, actually, I love it all, the shiny counter top, the new fridge, that cute tiny coffee maker, the gold pulls, and the way you arranged everything in the open cabinets. Brenda, you never cease to amaze me. I am so happy you had your daughter help you. I can’t imagine taking on a big job like this alone…I’d be so nervous that I would screw up. BEAUTIFUL….what else can I say, but again, LOVE it!
Yes, my daughter pulled down one of the 12 x 12 tiles that I put up wrong and it comes off easily. I tell you, it sure sticks to the wall well too! There’s been absolutely no problem with that. She just smoothed them on with her hands and they stuck well.
Stunning! I lived with an outdated kitchen for 10 yrs. I am beyond frugal and pay cash for everything! When I remodeled my kitchen I re-used all my old golden oak cabinets. I removed the fronts and sprayed them white(Sherwin- Williams White Duck). I reconfigured my kitchen and only have a pot rack, custom built range hood and artwork on my walls. I’m not a fan of uppers much; but needed them for storage. I had my contractor build taller bases for all my cabinets (42″ tall + counter top). I used the uppers as lower units and made a huge island. I do a lot of canning(blueberries and cherries and apples from my gardens). My husband and his friends fish and hunt so a group of us do large scale seafood(salmon and dungeness crab) and deer and elk home processing and canning.
I love your color palette- it’s hard to go wrong with white because of it’s versatility and cleanliness! I like your touches of red and black…..I wonder if your red and white curtains played a part of your color choice? You did a fabulous job!
Your transformation look so nice. The counter tops are so pretty and glossy and I love the subway tile look. Your new dishwasher (being all white) sure looks good in its space. And the gold drawer pulls add pizzazz. An amazing job — but we all knew it would be.
Have a great afternoon.
it really looks great Brenda! It is so light and bright now and not so busy – though I loved your last look too.. but I’m into a lighter and less busy look now. For some reason, bunching things together has really made a difference! and I’ve gotten some good ideas from you. I too like things where I can reach them easily, so love your silverware in the pitchers. I did that for awhile.. used some clear glasses, but after awhile, I put it all back away in the one drawer I have, as gave me less counter space for cooking. I keep my spoons in a little stonewear jar as use spoons more than anything!
From where we stand, we can’t see any imperfections in the counter…… the counter looks wonderful! So do the tiles. Also.. the open shelves look great and I love how you’ve placed your dishes and pops of red here and there. I’m now inspired to do that to our cabinets that hold our dishes! I even showed this photo to my husband and he liked it! We have dark brown cupboard doors which I want white!
I have a few questions on things I see and maybe you could let us know where you got them: the lights under the cupboards, the white wooden trays I see used in 3 places (love those!), and the board that holds all your cutting boards.
Now I’m more excited to get our kitchen painting underway as I love the brightness of the all white.. and again, the counters look fab!
Oh.. one more thought. I love the open shelving above your washer and how you’ve placed everything you use there. One thought I had would be to put all the boxed items into clear Ikea or Tupperware (or whatever you can find) canisters with red lids! The red lids would look so neat there, holding your cereals or rice or nuts or whatever. Just a thought.
It all looks great! Marilyn
The lights under the cabinets I bought at Lowes years ago. I just kept forgetting to get new batteries for them! The white wooden trays I bought as a trio off Amazon.com a few months ago. I’ll see if they still have them. And the board that holds the cutting boards I picked up at Tuesday Morning one day. I don’t recall exactly what I paid but it was under $10.
Amazon is no longer selling the white wooden trays I purchased. But here are very similar ones…https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XH5Z53C/ref=psdc_3735091_t3_B07JFKSWML
It is absolutely beautiful, Brenda…and the best part is that a great lot of it can be taken elsewhere if you move!! I thought the previous setup was pretty too…you are indeed fabulous at these things!!
It’ fantastic. I know you must be very pleased with it. So happy your daughter has been able to help you out, too. I’m going to ck that coffee pot out.
Brenda, It looks wonderful, so fresh and clean looking. You have inspired me!
You could use your extra pulls for maybe in your bathroom or dresser? I just know how it is to have to purchase items and then you do not use them. I hope this help. The kitchen is really awesome and LOVE the way the cabinets look.
Your decorating projects are by far the best posts in my opinion. I love your kitchen.
Brenda, I just love the new look of your kitchen! Isn’t it refreshing to change it up once in a while? I have a new kitchen but I still get bored with it sometimes, so the canisters go into the pantry for a while, then they come out again. Sometimes I like my cake stand, other times it needs to go away. I go from minimal and bare to adding red pieces back in. I also will look for your coffee maker and put the big Mr Coffee in the pantry until I have houseguests. It’s a shame you had to pay for this look yourself, but I agree that it’s important to love your home. Now rest your body for awhile lol!!
So impressed with your upgrades and the clever use you have made of the space available to you. My Mom rented for many years.and always possessed the pride in place that you demonstrate Brenda. Enjoy your lovely new look and thank you for the example you set for the rest of us!
It is beautiful, Brenda! You created such a wonderful, functional space on a budget!
I am so impressed with how it turned out!
I like the open shelving. I may buy that coffee pot. I like the small size. You really transformed the space. It looks wonderful. Lovely that you and your daughter are collaborating on this project.
You did a great job!!!! Everything looks fresh and bright. I’m glad the new dishwasher has white instead of black near the controls. Very impressive!
Wow! I love the countertops, they look brand new! And the open shelves too. You did such a beautiful job staging them.
There are many mistakes that I made with the countertops. Lots of air bubbles and cat hair that drifted in while the epoxy was drying. But I’m satisfied with it and love it. You only have a certain amount of time to smooth out the epoxy before it begins to set and air bubbles were a pain to try to get out.
Yes, I have learned about cat hair. It floats through the air. I have two air cleaners and I still have cat hair everywhere. Who knew?
Wow! it looks great! What a difference a few changes can make! Your floor looks like mine. Mine is vinyl planks which I chose because it is easy to keep clean and doesn’t scratch with all the pets I have.
Before I moved in to this apartment there had been a fire and they had to remove all the flooring. I told them I personally would prefer NO CARPET anywhere. I truly hate carpet.
The kitchen looks lovely. Love the red!
May I ask what you do for a dryer? I have a tiny under the counter European style ‘washer/dryer in one appliance’ at the cottage. While some things do come out completely dry, the queen size sheets never do. I drape them outside on the lawn furniture and it is a pain.
I drape things over chairs and lamps and tables, etc. Doesn’t bother me to do that. And my things will last longer. Nothing comes out completely dry. But I’m so glad I don’t have to do my laundry somewhere else that that’s fine.
What a lovely makeover. The open-shelf cabinets and monochrome white palette sure create a feel of roominess.
I thought so too. I feel serene when I walk in there!
Looks fabulous Brenda. I love peel and stick tiles. Sorry you found them to be different shades of white. Your open cabinets look so much brighter and makes the space feel more open and bigger. Great kitchen re love.
Kris
It looks really nice! And I’m glad that you got a new dishwasher, which was bought by the apartment complex. It’s about time they did something, even though it sounds like there won’t be anymore of that. Can you share the coffeepot brand? I’m looking for a smaller one that I can use grounds in.
I guess I forgot to do that. It is Gloridea, which I’ve never heard of. Here is the link…https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MT4HNX4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Very nice!
Looks like it’s a little bit brighter too.
Enjoy!
It looks great. It is so clean and fresh looking. I do miss having a dishwasher, but I have learned to live with out it. I also have a lack of counter space. I am very restricted with what I can do, but basically I am satisfied with what I have. Now I just need to get busy and spring clean it. xo Laura
Brenda, it looks wonderful!! Of course I expected nothing less from you, your home is always so cozy and welcoming. What a wonderful refresh and right in time for spring! I have two simplehuman products in my home – my shower tower that holds all my shampoos, body wash, lotions, etc. Love it so much. And I have a small trash can in my guest bath….which was necessary when my Lily was around, as she would go in and drag out all the garbage with the previous trash can, which did not have a lid! I love both items, they still look like brand new after 5 years.