Three Kitchen Decorating Tips for Rentals

No matter which room of your rental house you’ve designated for company to sit in, the likelihood is that you’ll find a group of friends standing in your kitchen during a party. Kitchens tend to be an accidental hub in nearly every house or home. Vital to our health, kitchens are used nearly every day, and without a certain amount of organization, your kitchen can become your nightmare in the blink of an eye. Luckily there are steps that you can take to both declutter and redecorate your cooking area. Each kitchen can be as different as each person’s individual taste, so there is no perfect answer to decorating yours, but with patience and a bit of effort, you’ll find your new kitchen is an excellent place to create and entertain.

Storage Space

One of the most challenging things about redecorating a rental kitchen is the fact that you can’t always do what you want to do. Oftentimes there are too few cupboards for all you need to put away, and your landlord may not want you to make structural changes to the room. Some landlords are open to the idea of hanging pot racks, or a colorful pegboard to double as an accent and storage space, but other times these removable items are frowned upon. Before making these types of changes to your kitchen, consult your landlord to find out what changes they oppose to avoid unnecessary issues in the future. Standing shelves with cupboards are a great way to hide clutter, while still being removable, whereas some prefer open shelving to encourage organization and ease of access.

Think Outside The Box

Many people have an idea set in stone for what is appropriate kitchen decor and what is not. Do yourself a favor and shed your preconceived notions, as this will allow you to find excellent furnishing options that you may have overlooked. A small rug in a certain spot can pick up the aura in your kitchen without making structural changes, and a change in curtains or blinds can add light to make the room seem larger. Consider mirrors, dressers and an additional pantry cupboard if you’re finding counter space limited by an abundance of appliances.

Use Patterned Fabrics

While it may seem counter intuitive in a small room to add patterns or fabrics, you may find that these are just what your kitchen needs to get the facelift you’re looking for. Color coordination can make a huge difference in the appearance of your kitchen and the comfort it offers your guests.

Whatever changes you decide to make to your rental kitchen need to be easily removable or approved by your landlord. Never neglect to request permission in writing, as this protects you from future unpleasantness due to assumptions. After you’ve created the kitchen look you’ve always dreamed of, be sure that you’ve insured your rental home so that you’re protected against theft and disaster, which can strike when they’re least expected.

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Allison writes with RentersInsurance.com, where you can get more decor tips and find information about insurance for renters.