Rental kitchens are often not the most beautiful on the day you move in. And let’s face it, after putting down all your rent deposits, there aren’t loads of disposable funds available to spruce up your kitchen with the most high-end of accessories. Including thrift flips and low-budget diys, this post outlines three easy projects that will immediately elevate the look of your rental kitchen, while taking it easy on your wallet.
1. Copper Towel Rail
If your rental oven doesn’t have a handle that you can drape a dish towel off of, this one is for you. I’m not here to walk over to my sink every time I need to wipe my hands as I’m cooking. And I can bet you’re not here for that either. This copper towel rail sits just to the outside of my oven door handle, granting me the ability to hang a cute dish towel from my oven door. Not only is this more convenient (no walking to the sink); but it also means I can easily change up my styling, and do so often. Plus, who wants to look at an ugly oven door when they can look at a cute dish towel?
This process is so simple, it doesn’t even deserve its own full blog post. All of the information you need to know is right here! To make your own, buy some 1/2-inch copper pipe (and cut it down to your preferred length with a handheld pipe cutter), two Ts for either end, and four end caps (two for the ends, and two for the part that sticks to the oven. You can find all of these supplies down the plumbing aisle of your local hardware store.
And now, how does it stick to the oven, you ask? PSA: ovens are made of metal, people. Ergo, magnets stick to it! Use E6000 glue to securely bond some very strong magnets to your copper pipe rail. And when I say “very strong”, I mean *very* strong. (This way, the rail doesn’t slide down the front of the door with the weight of your dish cloth.) Use neodymium magnets as they are the smallest and most discreet, yet strongest magnets you can buy. Drape a cute dish cloth over your new handle, and you’re golden.
2. Retro apothecary-style spice jars
A surefire way to up the ante in your rental kitchen is to display your spices in stylish little jars. It’s eye-catching and will look like you have your own little apothecary. Not only will it make cooking easier by having spices visible and easily accessible, but I can guarantee you that your guests will take positive notice of your cute, retro-labelled row of spice jars when they visit.
Click here to read how to make your own eco-friendly and budget-friendly apothecary spice jars.
3. Faux ceramic utensil crock
Someday, I will have funds to buy the perfect, handmade, speckled ceramic utensil crock from a local maker. Until then, I present to you one of my favourite thrift flips: the faux ceramic utensil crock. Outlined in detail here, this thrift flip consists of a cylindrical glass vase, thin-set mortar, paint, and rust-oleum aerosol clear coat. It is the perfect size and mimics the style of my dream utensil crock. (Many a dinner guest has been fooled into thinking it’s authentic!) In comparison to other affordable options like stainless steel or plastic crocks, this faux-ceramic effect provides a high-end look while remaining a cost-effective way to display my cooking utensils.
