My Boho Rental Kitchen
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nice bright and happy kitchen! Looks so fresh and ready for spring!
You did a great job Brenda
Jeannette
I'm SO ready for spring!
This blew me away Brenda! I was not expecting such a great makeover and done on a dime as well. The tiles are awesome and you did good by limiting the color going on. I like the valances, too, that's thinking outside the box! LOVE IT!
Jane xx
I realize the other one I did last year was a bit overwhelming. I like this one better.
I was thinking plates in the area above the cupboards, or maybe flat baskets or trays….but some other thiings could work also. I have seen pics of faux ironwork made from paper towel/toilet paper tubes. Even stenciling could be interesting. You could probably think of something creative.
I'll give it some thought.
Love it Brenda! The tile cover things look so nice and like real tile and I love the window area. The bottles with the cute valance – soo pretty! So glad you found a solution to the counter top problem – it looks good. I like the cabinets with the doors on – I've never been a fan of open shelving in a kitchen. Great job!
I agree – you have to be happy where you live so if you're renting that may mean putting in a little bit of money. We're probably moving in October but that didn't stop us from chaining a few things and paying to have the yard cleaned up!
Already? Well, I do think you have to love it while you rent it!
Brenda, Brenda, Brenda – I haven't visited with you in quite awhile so I've caught up today. Wow, you are amazing. I wish you were right down the street so I could tap into your talent to help me with my home. Kudos, Brenda, everything is drop dead gorgeous. 🙂
I had a failed attempt with hot glue and oil cloth before I came up with this one!
I love the new backsplash. It adds so much colour and I love how you draw attention to eat by adding a lot more white than before in your kitchen. Great job!
I kept adding white paint, and wondered if I was overdoing it. But those colors are just so bright.
Brenda….long time follower, first time responder…. Girl, you knocked this out of the ball park! I absolutely LOVE it! Enjoy and I totally agree with you that if you don't get your deposit back it was so worth it, but I can't imagine that happening. It looks so much cuter than it every could have as a rental.
Thanks for commenting, long time follower! However, I just appreciate that you read it.
I Love your Talavera tiles! And your upgrades too! I'm looking forward to make my own. Thanks for sharing Brenda!
They have so many fun colors to choose from!
It looks wonderful! I love the "tile" and the window treatment. So clever!
I'm glad you like it.
It looks great! I never heard of those tiles before but Iove them. I'm sure I need some!
Me either. I stumbled upon them.
Brenda i love your adorable kitchen!! I love everything about it!!! The tiles are perfect. It's just adorable.
Kathy
Well, one thing you can usually count on is that whatever I do, it's going to look a little different because I look for ways to go the cheap route. Now I've taken the black metal piece that was above the washer/dryer off and am trying to figure out what I want there. I knew I wasn't pleased with that area. It will come to me.
And I'll be SO happy for you when you get your own place and can put your own special stamp on it, Laura!
It looks amazing, Brenda. SOme great ideas for me to keep in mind when I move. xo Laura
Such a nice design! Cozy little kitchen indeed… ^_^
And it cost me $45 for the island and part of a can of paint.
Sorry, read too fast. Thought you said kitchen island. Hence the first response.
I am IN LOVE with those faux tiles. Enjoy all of your posts so much!
Well, thank you. Go check out their shop in India. They make the most beautiful designs if you like that sort of Boho Moroccan look. They have different color combos too.
The last version was cute, but this is fantastic! You might need to start charging people for consultations on what to do to a rental!
I'd love to write a book on what to do in temporary dwellings, which to some people don't end up being temporary. Who knows? I may live here forever. However, I did some things that I know the management would probably have a real problem with. But I did it anyway. Not that I wanted to break the rules, but what I had to work with was SO ugly, I just didn't know what else to do. Every unit has the very same kitchen I think. So at least mine is different!
Oh my goodness I love it Brenda! Those stick on tiles really make the whole room, I'm definitely going to go check out that Etsy shop! It looks very homey and cozy. I agree that you should try and love where you live and make the best of it.
Tania
I just love that Etsy shop. And they were so accommodating. I hope you find something you like, because they can make it however you want it.
Brilliant! Brenda, you've outdone yourself! Such original thinking…using "cove molding" for your backsplash, to using tile decals…wow! And the best part…your kitchen looks bigger, more cohesive and definitely boho! Looks fantastic! 😉
I wanted a boho look without being "totally boho." I wanted to cut down on the clutter and color, which I think I did. A sort of a cottage-y white and clean kitchen with a bit of whimsical color on the back splash. It sure beats the oil cloth debacle!
I love the new look to your kitchen! The bright tiles really stand out against the fresh white areas. I am noticing one thing….please don't take this as criticism….but the white area above your cupboards (soffit?) looks like it could use your special touch…it looks a bit blank to me. But it is YOUR kitchen, so please do what suits YOU!
Do you mean put something on the walls above the cupboards? Like plates or something? I don't take it as criticism. After all, I asked you all what you thought of course. I thought about putting something there, but feared it would be too much. Let me know your thoughts and I'll sure take it into consideration!
Hi Brenda…I visit here often and always love what you do! Your cottage boho kitchen is absolutely beautiful. Love those sticker tiles. I would have never known they were'n't the real thing. I'm in the middle of a total kitchen renovation in my older mobile home. The hubby and I decided to renovate what we had that was paid for instead of going into debt to build a new home. We get to personalize it and put our touch on everything we do which I am thoroughly enjoying. You are always an inspiration. I love the colorful boho look you are going for. Happy perfection!
Blessings, Vicky
Like you, I'd rather keep what I had and not go into debt. Been there, done that. Have fun with your renovations. Take chances! Be different! Enjoy!
I thought your previous kitchen re-do was very clever, but I like this new look even more. It has a softer, more easy-breezy look to it. The faux tiles are so pretty, but what really makes the room look light and airy are the small touches like the embroidered pieces for curtains and the EAT sign in aqua, the plates on the wall by the window and the pastel bowls on the bottom of the island. Very lovely.
If you feel worried about what you spent on the faucet, you could always put the old one back in and take this new one with you when you move. But, let's say you are only there for another six months, and you leave the faucet behind — the cost of the faucet will average out to only about $12 a month. I'd say you definitely will find it is worth $12 a month to you! Enjoy it.
Considering I never go to movies or use a smart phone and rarely go out to eat, it is my indulgence. I was actually afraid the embroidered linens on the window wouldn't go with everything else. But then I said to myself: Oh, to heck with it. I'm doing it. Taking some of the red out helped the kitchen I think, and most of the black I had previously. I didn't think anyone would notice the bowls on the bottom of island. You are very perceptive!
Count me in as someone who loves the tiles. In fact, I'm heading over to etsy now to see if they have any that might work for our stairs.
The kitchen looks perfect and so 'you'! Love it!
I love them on the stairs! They are beautiful in their photo. Makes me wish I had stairs, but then of course I couldn't walk up them! If you do it, you must post it for us!
Brenda . . . I LOVE it all, the new paint, the tiles the whole look is just so fresh and clean! So impressed!
I have to laugh because you all didn't see the disaster that was the oil cloth glued down with hot glue that I fussed with for a week trying to make work. When I gave up on that, I just felt deflated. Then I found these tiles and got excited again. Where do I go for ideas that might not be exactly what I want, but will summon an idea? Why, Pinterest of course!
Brenda, It looks lovely. So bright and cheerful! It has encouraged me to get myself in order and do the next couple things on my list…paint that dining table and my island. Think that will be my projects for the week :~)
Kath
Once you get all the materials together, it really doesn't take long to get things done. By the time I'd get one coat of paint on something, it would be time to add another coat to something else. Like a factory line.
Love it! Looks fresher and not so busy. I have already checked out the Etsy shop for those tiles because I think they'll work for my kitchen. Also the stuff on top of the counters (I think it's called cove molding) would work for my kitchen also. Thanks for the great ideas. Well done Brenda!
Yes, someone above said it is called cove molding I think. Oh, I'd love to know your experience and see photos if you get the tiles! Which ones are you looking at? They have various combinations. I bought the 5 inch tiles, but they'll make them whatever size you want them. They were very nice. And I love all the other ideas I saw on their site for other ways to use the tiles.
Great re-do Brenda…your kitchen is so bright and cheerful. You can store those extra plates
from the cabinets into the dishwasher.
Oh, I have that poor dishwasher filled with cookie sheets and pots and pans and lids since I don't have an oven anymore!
saying this as I have my head tilted to the left and a smile….looks great. I love the freshness, cleaness and order. you are pretty ambitious to paint the counters and appliances and i love that. enjoy.
Thanks, Laura. When I was married, I had everything most everyone gets now. The fancy stuff. (Except I never liked the stainless steel appliances). It was fine for a time, the granite counter tops, the fancy floor tiles. But it bored me after awhile. Truly I'd rather just paint my appliances when I'm bored with the look, and that goes with the counters. I don't know if things will work till I try them. (Remember the hot glue oil cloth fiasco?), but when it works, it's great! Won't know till you try!
I adored your kitchen before, but now? It rocks, Brenda!! Cottage Boho!! I think the tiles is what did it! Wow, I really like it! The coloured bottles in the window must be a colour feast when the sun shines on them! Sorry about all of the exclamation marks, I am just so happy and excited with the kitchen!
I will say that I think I may have woke my daughter up when I hooted about the Fritos truck! Who gets run over by a Fritos truck? I really hope it wasn't you 🙂 I will think about that all day 🙂
Have a restful day. You deserve it 🙂
Hugs,
Deb
No, just made the Fritos truck comment up. I think I used to say the milk truck, but think that's long out of vogue! I was really struggling until I found those tiles on Etsy. Once you find one magical piece of the puzzle, the rest falls into place, I've learned.
Oh My! I love, love those tiles! Was it difficult matching the corners/edges?
So bright and cheery! Also, I love the window treatment 🙂
Good job!!
Well, I had to pull them up and get them straight here and there. I know it's best to just lay it down once and be done with it. But I'm a stickler for getting things straight. And even then, I wish I could have gotten them straighter. I told myself if they come up, I'll decoupage them down maybe with Mod Podge. So if you have a better eye, should be easy for you.
Hi Brenda 🙂 Just introducing myself from Australia. I have been checking in with you since finding your blog a few weeks ago. I absolutely love how you have decorated your home and garden. It is so me. I love mixing old and new with a pop of colour thrown in. Love it. Your kitchen is perfect. I'll be totally honest here and say I think it is 100% on your past scheme. Your tile stickers are gorgeous. So, pat on the back and job well done. Thanks for your continued inspiration. 🙂
Well, it's completely different! I appreciate your honesty. I always love feedback. I too love mixing old with new. And you're welcome, of course.
HI again Brenda. I just re read my comment comparing your new kitchen decor to the previous and I hope I didn't come across as rude? However you decorate your home is how you love it and that's all that matters. It's funny, because back in the day, I would have had a similar style to the previous scheme in my own home. I have found it interesting how our tastes change and evolve as we get older. I love mixing things up, not just for the look, but also out of necessity, due to finances, or the lack of at times 🙂 Take care 🙂