My Refreshed & Updated Apartment Kitchen
The other day I decided to work on refreshing and updating my apartment kitchen a bit.
Nothing major, just little changes here and there to switch a few things and make kitchen work easier.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the most difference. Like moving something closer to where you work to save steps. Or placing something closer to the sink that often needs water or cleaning.
As I’m writing this, I also decided to share my best rental apartment kitchen tips as well.
When I’m about to refresh my apartment kitchen, first I take everything off the countertops. Then I give it a good wipe down and selectively choose what to put back.
What do I need there for every day use? I choose those items first.
If I want to add decor to my small kitchen, I try to make it minimal. And I’m careful not to put it in my work area or where it might get in the way.
For instance, I added the old vintage mixer. It doesn’t take up much room, but it makes a statement heralding the days of old. Other than that, everything else in my kitchen has a purpose.
Small Kitchen Tips:
My suggestions for small kitchens:
- Use trays to keep things organized on the countertop
- Take a few cabinet doors off to make the space seem larger
- Consider using small lamps
- Utilize vertical storage space
- Hang what you can to utilize vertical space
What’s On My Small Kitchen Countertops:
On my kitchen countertops, there are the kitchen utensils near the stove top. Cutting boards within reach. Paper towels near the sink. Spices in jars near the stove.
I have clear glass jars containing sugar and flour. And then I added small red and white polka dotted bowls to dip the sugar and flour out with. I’ve had those little polka dotted bowls for years.
Then there’s the wood box with cutting boards stored in it. And of course there are three lamps, which is at the top of my list of necessary kitchen items. I don’t think I’d want a kitchen that didn’t have the space for at least one small lamp.
Then there’s the kitchen utensils over by the KitchenAid convection countertop oven. I have them corralled on a cutting board.
When I first walked into this apartment, I noticed a fairly large pink stain on the countertop near the stove.
So I decided to cover it with the large cutting board. Then to make the cutting board useful, I added things on top of it to best utilize the space.
Such as my kitchen utensils, salt and pepper shakers, a spoon holder, and a pair of reading glasses.
I cook food in this convection countertop oven almost every day. It’s even how I toast bread so I don’t have to have a separate toaster.
That thing has been a life saver. First at my old apartment where I chose to have a washer instead of a stove. And now here.
It cooks in about half the time and I just love it. When this one eventually goes out, I’ll buy another one.
My Countertops & Backsplash:
I’m not crazy about the countertops and backsplash in my apartment. But then I decided I don’t hate them either. Steve has brown countertops and I think I’d be more upset if I had his.
My countertops and backsplash could certainly use a little updating. But I would probably want to use the peel and stick tiles like I used at my old apartment.
The problem there was that the peel and stick tiles wouldn’t stay in place. My daughter said there was dampness somewhere in the walls.
Here, what’s used for the countertop surface also covers the backsplash. It’s smooth and I don’t detect any dampness, so peel and stick tiles might stay in place better.
But I’m not ready to go down that road. I’m trying not to get into those types of projects as I’m just now starting to walk pretty well without walking aids.
Best Place To Store Spices:
I think a kitchen wall is the best place to store spices. It’s something I’d otherwise have on the countertop. By using vertical wall space, I free up more precious countertop space.
A few years ago I came across this wall spice holder on eBay and bought it for under $20.
It keeps all my spices organized and within sight in the space where I’m cooking.
Choosing What To Put On Countertops:
When you have a small kitchen, it’s sometimes hard to decide what to put on your countertops. You don’t want too add too much where it looks cluttered.
But you want a convenient space for things you use daily organized in an orderly fashion.
Remember the kitchen at my old apartment? I spent lots of time figuring out the best way to store things.
There was no pantry, and some of the cabinet drawers would not open. So I had my work cut out for me there. I ended up using vertical space a lot.
Coffee Bar:
Then there’s my coffee bar in the corner near the window. I like that piece of furniture there because it fits like it was destined for it.
I’ve added a couple of red and white checked place mats on the cupboard top to protect it from coffee spills.
Simple Human Trash Can:
If you’re looking for a good trash can, I highly suggest the Simple Human trash can. Mine is just below my kitchen window, though you can’t see it in these photos.
I bought mine at Home Goods years ago. Much thought was put into the design.
It holds extra trash can liners in a small compartment in back so you don’t have to leave the trash can in order to locate them.
I order the trash can liners that fit this particular Simple Human trash can from Amazon.com.
So when you’re refreshing your kitchen or trying to arrange things close to where you use them, just use common sense.
I choose the biggest item and put it on the countertop first. Then I use the rest of the space for smaller things that I need.
Everything I don’t use is put away, because countertop space in a small kitchen is valuable.
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I agree that sometimes small changes can have the biggest impact. Also, every time I see those red floral dishes I swoon!
All good ideas for small kitchen decor and organization. I really like that wooden thyme box for organizing cutting boards.
Your kitchen looks nice. I love your coffee bar area. The less clutter on the counter, the better.
I noticed your laminate countertop and backsplash are a neutral sort of “beige,” it can work with different types of decor. I like that the backsplash goes all the way up the wall from countertop to the upper cabinets. That’s a clean look and easier to apply peel and stick tiles or removable wallpaper if you want to change things up. The coffee bar is so cute! I am a fan of using small lamps on my countertops rather than installing under-cabinet lighting. I have two on the countertop in my U-shaped kitchen. I like the cozy feel of lamp light at night. I rarely use the overhead light in the center of the kitchen ceiling or the boob light above the kitchen sink – which I’ve been meaning to switch out since I bought this house 9 years ago (as of July 7) and still haven’t gotten around to do! I guess I should change my middle name to Procrastinator.
I’ve been meaning to do a lot of things I have yet to get around to. Just doing the day to day stuff seems to fill my time.
My kitchen was not laid out with cooking in mind. It’s basically two corners separated by the stove, and just enough room for a dish drainer beside the sink. And it was built back in the early 60s, when two outlets was deemed more than enough for countertop appliances. The only fix for my kitchen is a can of lighter fluid and a match.
Is there a space like a dining room where you could put things like a countertop oven. If you had a long piece of furniture (a cheap folding table would do) you could work from there. Remember how I used my big World Market rolling island at the old apartment? I had my countertop oven and my microwave on it. So that was my cooking space. I ended up leaving it there. Too big to get back through the doors without taking it apart.
Omg, your last sentence made me laugh out loud! Totally didn’t expect that, lol!!! Thanks for a good laugh! 😂🤣
It looks nice! You have a lot of really cute things to work with.
Love you kitchen and all of the pops of color. I have the same toaster oven, we use it frequently.
Have a wonderful day Brenda.
I pretty much use mine at least once a day. But I don’t do a lot of baking like you do, where you might need the big oven space to cook.
I, also, have a countertop oven. I love it. I use it at least twice a week. I thought long and hard about it as one more thing on my counter but sooo glad I purchased it. I, too, will purchase another when this one bites the dust. It’s just my husband and I and I hate heating and cleaning the big oven with my stove. My only complaint about the little oven is I find it very hard to clean. I have had it for years and I’m hoping the newer ones are easier to clean.
I had problems keeping the Breville oven clean. But this Kitchenaid is tall and nothing seems to get dirty except the little crumb tray underneath.
I have a Breville oven and I agree, it is very hard to keep the inside clean! We’ve tried everything we could think of and have read. It still looks filthy and is greasy inside.
I love your kitchen for so many reasons so I get excited when you share pics of changes you’ve made. Once again, thank you for sharing.
I’ve always noted that your spaces reflect warmth and coziness due to your placement of small lamps. That ambient lighting is so much more flattering than glaring overhead sources! I have no area in my kitchen for a small lamp, however, I’ve added a few table top ones in other rooms of the house inspired by you!
My daughters come in here and immediately turn on the overhead lights. I’m not accustomed to having them on, so I blink like an animal who lives mostly in the dark.
Brenda. very cute kitchen…..! You have some interesting angles, which I love, my small kitchen is U-shaped, but since I own my condo, I was able to remodel and incorporate a lot of in cabinet storage. I agree with you , a lamp is a must!..I have one from Lumens, that I just have to recharge…small but mighty. I also have a wonderful old butcher block cutting board that is always on the counter, it has a lip that fits over the counter so it doesn’t move when I use it…..also liked your bathroom makeover…apartments don’t need to be utilitarian, all you need is imagination…all in all, I think your apartment is really cute and personalized…
I wish they’d let us do more here. I did what I wanted at the other apartment because they said they didn’t care what you did. As long as you were making improvements. I like the sound of that cutting board!
I love your kitchen! I love functional beauty of a kitchen. I see some I wonder how they prep in it, but it is theirs, right? I replaced my micro that was above the stove since it did nothing to combat cooking smells. A new one would have sat even lower towards the stove and being tall, that was just a no go. Next time I’ll replace it on a lifted shelf and/or remove the cabinet above. I opted for a regular fan that finally vents properly. The problem is the micro, however small takes up precious countertop space that is beginning to annoy me. It’s changed my coffee area to a place I despise. Oh well. I love your countertops. Mine are also brown and depressing and the cost was outrageous to replace from Lowes using laminate!!! Anyway… cute kitchen.
You don’t have space for a rolling cart for a microwave?
No, sadly. Well, one place but then I can’t get through to the kitchen. LOL.