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My Boho Rental Kitchen

Decorating & DIYs, Kitchen
184 Comments

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I decided that I wanted a boho-style rental kitchen. First, I ordered peel-and-stick tiles online for a backsplash.

My boho rental kitchen is now bright and colorful with faux tiles I added. this Idea

Peel & Stick Tile For Rental Kitchens:

The peel-and-stick tiles that I ordered on Etsy are very colorful and completely changed the look of my apartment’s kitchen. They gave it more of a boho look.

A Faux Backsplash:

In this photo, you can see a white strip at the bottom where the backsplash meets the countertop. I don’t know what it’s called, but I found this white roll in the flooring section at Lowe’s.

My boho rental kitchen, where I added colorful bottles to the windowsill and a chicken decal.

It is made of rubber. I attached it with strong double-stick tape and painted it white. Now I have a water barrier behind my sink. I guess you could call it a “faux” backsplash.

The colored bottles in my windowsill.

Embellishing With Wood Appliques:

I glued on a wooden applique I found at Lowe’s. It took a few days to make sure it would stick. Then I painted it white to match the cabinets.

Buying A New Faucet:

I purchased a different faucet. Some will say, ” You rent that apartment, why would you pay $69 for a kitchen faucet?” 

I absolutely detested that cheap faucet that came with the apartment. Hated it! I couldn’t clean around the plastic that housed the hot and cold water.

You know my motto: Love it while you rent it. And if you hate it, go ahead and spend a little money so you can love it.

The faucet I purchased was a Moen, and the cheapest decent faucet that I could find.

That “someday” house renters are hoping to buy might never happen. You might be run over by a Frito-Lay truck, or some other disaster could befall you. You might go into debt and never have good enough credit to get a mortgage. 

So put a little money in the place where you live NOW. You will be happier with it, and $69 for a new faucet is not a huge price to pay for a happier kitchen.

Whimsical Window Treatment:

Then I added a new window treatment. I simply used a regular old extension rod and layered vintage linens across it. Just switch out the linens when you’re bored with the look.

The chicken decal on the cabinet door and my washer next to the cabinet.

One of my favorite things about this whole redo is that the “faux backsplash” I came up with was under $10, and I had one whole section left. 

Painting The Countertops:

Here’s what I did with these textured counters that had all sorts of squiggly colors I hated. I used a very thick white paint, suggested by someone from Ace Hardware. With quite a few coats, it took away the texture, and my counters are now smooth, white, and pretty. 

Then I used polyurethane to coat the countertops to keep spills and such from ruining them. It takes about a week to cure, so it should be cured now.

It gave the countertops a fresh and updated look.

Painted Kitchen Island:

Another view of my boho rental kitchen redo.

Here is the newly painted kitchen island. The one I purchased for $45 last summer. I considered staining it. But I have absolutely no experience in staining furniture.

So I just painted it white.

Various vintage decor on the kitchen wall.
My boho rental kitchen cooking station with a convection countertop oven and my red microwave.

I painted the red “EAT” sign aqua.

New Electric Outlet Covers:

I also bought new electric outlet covers. They are silver. Really, this is not a big expense at all, and renters should think about making this small change.

It just looks a whole lot better than those beige covers they slap on because they’re cheap.

My boho rental kitchen view of what I put on the countertop I painted.
The corner view of the kitchen and the painted dishwasher I never use..

This old dishwasher (which I never use) did not escape my paintbrush. Since it is never used, I didn’t see a problem with painting it.

My boho rental kitchen with vintage linens layered over a curtain rod.

So there you have it. My boho-style apartment kitchen.

If I move and lose a $300 deposit, I’ll deal with it. I’d much rather be happy with it while I live here. And who knows. I may never move.

My boho rental kitchen redo.
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184 Comments

  1. Love it! Seriously. It's so bright and cheerful that it should make you smile when you go in there. I love the big ice sticker on your fridge. It reminds me of the Icee slogan when I was a kid 🙂

    Live the tile stickers, the island, the linen window covering, the bottles, the faucet…. everything.

    The runner thing that you used for a backsplash is the thing they put underneath the bottom cabinets on top of the floors in new builds. I know this because I took it off my wood cabinet flooring about three houses ago. It looks great the way you used it!

    xo,
    rue

    1. I'm always after finding something I can use as something else. That ICE slogan reminded me of my youth too. I found it on Etsy and I believe it's in Denton, TX where he makes them. You can choose your size. I think I paid about $15 for it. Everyone seems to love that when they walk in, because they remember those buildings where you bought ice that had that logo.

  2. You should re-post pictures of the kitchen when you moved in, the first redo and this one all on one posting. It would be amazing to see where it started and where it is now. Love it! Liked the first one – so Mary Englebreit looking, but all the accessories against the crisp white makes it another visual feast!

    1. Hey, that's a great idea. I shall do that.

  3. Oh! That is so pretty. Airy and it also looks bigger. I am so tempted to pait my cabnets. My kitchen is so dark!

    1. Paint them! If you hate it, paint it dark again. Or put something else over it Paint is cheap. And yes, I am surprised that it does look bigger. A nice surprise I wasn't expecting! Whatever you do, don't hot glue oil cloth to your counter tops!!!

  4. Brenda, No matter how you decorate it always looks fabulous! You have a real eye for design. What inspired me most is your willingness to take risks and make mistakes. I am going to try to remember this in my own life. I love the clean lines of the kitchen. Enjoy your new space.

    1. If you don't take risks, you won't fail. But if you don't take risks, you won't know what you can do that will look wonderful either. I am not a risk taker in life. But I LOVE to wander a Lowes or Ace Hardware and just look at what they have. And ask myself what I might use it for that they don't. I love the unexpected!

    1. I don't know now that I'd want anything other than white counters again. Others can have their fancy counters made of high-end materials. I have had them too. But you can see everything on white. And I like things to be clean.

  6. I love your new look! I actually like it better than the re-do last summer (not that that one was "bad"; I just like this look better). I really like the stick-on tiles and I love what you did with the window treatment. You worked so hard and your efforts show. Pat yourself on the back – and now go take a much deserved rest!

    1. I really try to rest. But I'm one of those people who doesn't like to be still for long. Which is probably why my ankle does not get enough rest! I liked last summer's too. But now that I have this one to compare it too, I too like this one better. Lighter and easier on the eyes!

  7. Denise Z. says:

    I like your changes! The colors are happy and the white counter top really lightens things up–both light and bright, and lighter vs. heavier looking. Good job! (And on a totally different note…I finally read The Good Girl this week…and really liked it! I've had it on my list since you did your review of it and it didn't disappoint! Looking forward to her new one!)

    1. You and me both! Glad you like the kitchen and enjoyed the book.

  8. Absolutely fabulous! I'm stealing the kitchen window idea, too beautiful and I have a ton on inherited linens. The faux tiles are beautiful and I love the 2 plates that go perfectly with the backsplash.

    1. I hate to keep pretty things in drawers. Such was my vintage linens. Layer them for use as a curtain. It is fun! I'd be proud if you copied my work!

  9. I love it! I need a nap after reading about all your work. You should be very proud of the finished kitchen (as if any room is ever really finished).

    1. I am catching up on my rest for a few days before I get something else into my head! And of course, spring beckons.

  10. Hi Brenda! Oh, I love your little kitchen! Those tiles you used for your backsplash look wonderful! I love it that you're making your pretty now! I think many folks are afraid to just jump in and begin. your happiness matters most where you live and I'd say your little kitchen thanks you very much!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    1. Poor little kitchen. I nearly did it in with hot glue.

  11. love it – I totally agree with you that if you rent you might want to paint and change things up a little bit – small expense – My daughter and her husband rented a house for 5 years and the landlord would never agree to repaint the interior even though it was dingy – I told them just go get the paint – so you loose your deposit you planning on staying here awhile so make it your own for now and surely a coat of paint would improve the place! they never did paint and were unhappy with it the whole time they were there but they got their deposit back and they were happy with that

    1. We're all different. To each their own.

  12. it looks Fabulous… good job Miss- so proud of you and happy for you.

    1. You know how bull-headed I am. That would be me AND you.

  13. Now that you are finished (at least temporarily;-) are you entertaining?? Must be tons of people lined up to come to your cozy little cottage Boho Kitchen!! How could there not be? LOVE this–all of it. so weird, but my husband and I just finished putting in Mexican Talvera sinks in our Master Bathroom. We used wood to make a vanity. I stained it and put the kind of poly they use on ships to make it more water friendly We also ordered Mexican tiles to use a back splash and toe kicks.Talk about Boho!!…;-) .Thanks for sharing!!

    1. Oh, those sinks must be beautiful! No, I only know a few people in this whole big city. All my friends are online. And I entertained today by having all of you see my kitchen.

  14. Brenda, I am tired just reading about everything you have done. Sit and have an iced tea to cool off. The peal and stick tiles are very clever, and look so attractive in your kitchen. Such a cute happy space! Sheila

    1. I am SUPER tired. My back is killing me. My ankle is holding up pretty well. Yesterday was worse. I just wanted it done. I'm like a dog with a bone once I get started.

  15. Brenda, you've done it again. Genius!!!! The tile looks so beautiful, what a wonderful idea, alto you said it was expensive, it looks more expensive than what you had to pay. How did you ever find it? It looks like it was made for 'your' kitchen. And your vintage linens for your window treatment. LOVE! Again, I don't know how you think of such great ideas, You are a true artist…The white piece behind the faucet looks so nice with your white counter tops. I can't even imagine what a difficult job that must have been..
    But,I certainly know what you mean about a new faucet making you happy. We down-sized from a large home, into a brand new custom-built mobile home, where I was able to draw the floor plan, length of different walls and room arrangement, choose the counter tops, closets, shower, tub, appliances, floors, carpets, size of windows,(and doors) drapes, lighting in the kitchen, crystal Chandeliers,
    everything. The one thing I couldn't change. was the kitchen faucet, because it came with the sink. So even tho, it was a nice new faucet, not shabby, I replaced it with the bridge-faucet I wanted, and it just looks so much nicer, and I love how it looks. Like you, it is fun to make your living space "your own".
    I enjoy reading your blog each day, and really enjoy all of your pictures. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

    1. I would LOVE to design a custom built mobile home. If my ex had paid me what he was supposed to, I'd have had more than enough to do that. And that WAS my dream. Good for you that you didn't just live with the faucet that was there. You deserve to have what you want.

  16. Fabulous job, Brenda! Your kitchen redo looks wonderful. I have to admit when I read that you were redoing it, I couldn't imagine it looking better than what you'd already done. But it does! Love the faux tile and I'm going right now to check them out. Thanks for sharing the link.

    1. The guys who make them, and they'll make them any size you want, emailed because I sent them the post, and said they hoped it brought people their way. I wrote back that their faux tiles were the hit of the kitchen.

  17. I have to use that faucet to wash dishes, do laundry. And you just can't clean between those plastic ones. They always looked dirty.

  18. Wonderful job, Brenda! I like all of the white with your new "tile" back splash. You have such creative ideas. I think you're smart to change out things that really bug you even if it does cost a little to do it – totally worth it to be happy especially when it's something you look at everyday!

  19. Love those colorful tiles, Brenda! What a great solution. It's such a cheerful room.

    1. Now Kim, you KNOW I have to have cheerful rooms. Drab dark rooms would depress me.

  20. I love your kitchen redo! I'm glad you put the doors back on the cabinets. Open shelving bugs me. I like everything behind closed doors in a kitchen.

    Your new window treatment is so pretty. I really like that idea of using vintage linens.

    1. I had all these varied sizes of embroidered linens. It just came to me: why not use the varied sizes to my advantage? Otherwise they're sitting folded in a box.

  21. Brenda, it looks great! I love those 'tiles' and how colorful they are. I'm a renter also and I have been thinking about buying a new kitchen faucet also. I hate the one I have and so what that I can't take it with me, I'll be happier while i'm here and I should be here another year plus at least (probably longer). Love how the counters look also. You really searched out some great products to use! Cottage Boho at it's best!

    LInda

    1. Spring for a new kitchen faucet. You'll pat yourself on the back every day. When Volare took that old one out, I thought, well, I may eventually get rid of the one in the bathroom, which is the same cheap kind. But for now I'm satisfied with that one in the kitchen!

  22. wow Brenda, it's fabulous!!! LOVE those tiles, they totally MAKE that kitchen, great job!!!

    1. I can't imagine tackling a real tile job. I saw these faux tiles and fell in love.

  23. Once again, you never cease to amaze me! Those faux tiles are terrific. I'd never have known unless I started looking for grouting! They add such interest to your adorable kitchen. It is the perfect size for one. Everything looks so crisp and clean and I never realized you painted the dishwasher! Love the curtains. They keep the sun out and let light in at the same time. So cute. The back splash was a great idea to keep the water off the walls. I so agree w/you, even if we live in a rental, the kitchen is a place we need to be comfortable and we use the sink all the time. Best to be happy w/it.

    1. I tend to start painting and not know when to quit. After I did the wall behind the fridge, I ended up painting the next wall, then the next wall, and before I knew it I'd painted one wall of the living room! The dogs better keep moving if they don't want to get a coat of paint!

    1. Except for the tiles, pretty muted for me I'd say!

  25. You are a true artist, Brenda. You can transform any space into a warm, inviting place. Both designs are lovely (the before AND after)! Good on ya!

    1. I'd attempt to decorate a tent if one was put up for me to fool with I suppose!

  26. You should be so PROUD, Brenda, with the way you accomplished this redo. In the meantime you have learned to not mess with oilcloth!
    Deeds done/attempted are what count, not how many succeed.

    1. Wise words. I just hate to have wasted $20!

  27. I sure didn't rock that failed oil cloth. Kicked myself for days for wasting $20 worth of Etsy oil cloth. Oh well. Live and learn.

  28. Wonderful ideas, great job and fantastic final look, Brenda! You ROCK!

  29. I love it all – especially those tiles which I am pinning. The vintage linens as a curtain is genius. Such a clean and pretty kitchen. i think I'd be in there putseying about most of the day!

    1. Today I'm doing laundry, which I've been putting off because it entails me dragging a hose over to the sink. Go look at that Etsy site I linked above and see what all people put those tiles on. I may have to have more!

  30. the new kitchen is beautiful and so fresh lookingI love, love, love your window treatment. Everything you did looks amazing. And I live your statement to live where you are now. Don't wait for the future.The furure is not "for sure."
    Have a great day!

    1. No, it isn't for sure. Enjoy your life wherever you live. I was guilty of thinking "when I" as a young adult. Now I'm wiser and live in the moment.

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