Simple Kitchen Apartment Updates

A Boost for Bland Walls

Even if painting your apartment kitchen walls is out of the picture, you can still spruce them up with splashes of color in the form of removable wall decals or washi tape.

• Add a large decal such as a chef's hat or loaf of bread shape to a wall for a focal point.
• Decorate the top row of tiles for a wall that's partly painted, partly tiled, for a custom tile border look. Add decals such as a fleur-de-lis, a coffee cup or fork and spoon design for a kitchen theme.
• Print or write out a kitchen-themed word such as "cucina" (Italian for "kitchen") on a piece of large paper, cut it out, then place it face down on the back of a sheet of clear contact paper. Trace and cut out the design, then peel and stick it on a kitchen wall for your own homemade decal.
• Apply strips of colorful, patterned washi tape to a few areas around the kitchen, such as the area of the wall between the sink and a window. Create stripes or chevrons on white cabinet doors or drawers for another simple way to update your surroundings.

A Portable Backsplash

A backsplash protects the walls from splatters, but it also adds a hint of color and decor for otherwise unadorned walls. Create your own backsplash for an area above and behind your cooktop surface, or for the space between a countertop and the bottoms of the kitchen cabinets.

The backing material for your portable backsplash can be made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or even foam core board. Your homemade backsplash fits into place over a plain wall or over an existing backsplash that is better off hidden. Since it is made from a magnetic metal, you can use it to hold notes or recipes. If you prefer another look, cover the backer board with glass tiles or tin ceiling tiles instead.

Swap Out Hardware + Fabrics

If the hardware and curtains in your kitchen look like they went out of style several generations ago, replace them with new options more suited to your sense of style.

• Measure the spacing between screws for drawer handles or pulls that have two posts, otherwise the new hardware may not fit.
• Purchase all the knobs, handles or pulls in the same basic style and color to maintain a cohesive look.
• Keep the old handles and their respective screws in small zippered bags, stored inside the drawers or cabinets they belong to. This way you can reinstall them before you move out, taking your hardware with you.
• Replace old cafe curtains by making your own out of tea towels, or sacks designed to hold coffee beans, flour or grains. Hang the new curtains up using curtain ring clips, allowing you to swap out the fabrics at any time with ease, no sewing required.
• Add decorative tea towels or dish towels, hung from the oven door or drawer handles, to add bits of style and color to the kitchen.