Here are tips to Freshen An Apartment Kitchen such as painting, adding window and floor treatments, and personal accessories. This is an updated post with the changes we made recently since this topic is often searched.
A lot of good food comes out of our galley kitchen in our San Francisco 100-year-old apartment. The view’s not bad either! It doesn’t make sense to overhaul it completely as we did here since we are renting. But here’s how we made it more pleasing with these ideas to freshen a dated rental kitchen.
Tips To Freshen An Apartment Kitchen
Tip One: Paint
Years ago, we asked the landlords if we could paint the cabinets a neutral color (Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter). They said sure (and now they are painting the cabinets in other units this color). We also painted the walls BM White Dove. It was a pickled oak…
Tip Two: Address the Floor
Detest is not a strong enough word about how I feel about our linoleum floor. The new rug runner by Ruggable helps. It’s not the most expensive-looking rug but I love that we can wash it in the machine and the premium rug pad is nice and soft on your feet. I may buy an additional top rug to switch out when one in is the wash.
Note: here is a review of Ruggable since some of you asked. I really like it as it is washable and I would use one in a kitchen or mudroom, but since the pattern is printed on and not woven, I personally wouldn’t use it in a living room with a more refined look. Also, I haven’t washed it yet…so there will be an update when I do.
Tip Three: Windows
The natural wood shade is by Blinds.com. I had a cloth one on the window but it got too dirty from the stovetop. This one is easier to wipe down.
The copper pans are easy to keep clean with Bar Keeper’s Friend (Amazon).
Tip Four: Accessorise Walls with Art and/or Cookery
Tip Five: Accessorize Counter Tops And Pantry
I try to minimize clutter, but some colorful accents from cookbooks and produce (don’t put tomatoes in the fridge and herb plants are nice to have on hand). Add texture with wooden cutting boards.
Recently we organized our pantry with this post. We took the doors off and will replace them when we move. Amazingly, the pantry is staying fairly neat.
And those are tips to freshen an apartment kitchen.
Susan says
Our daughter,who lives in Chicago, has ruggablesd, 4 boys and dogs! Loves the washability of the product!. Works for her! I have seen her do it, Amazing! I am tempted to do this in our Fla home too, again because they are so washable! good luck
Mary Ann Pickett says
Well, I like it so far. Thanks so much for commenting, Susan.
CINDY says
I THINK THAT RUGGABLE IS GENIUS. IT LOOKS GREAT TO ME! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR KITCHEN. IT IS THE MOST CHARMING “OUTDATED ACCORDING TO YOU” APARTMENT KITCHEN I HAVE EVER SEEN. ALL OF THE LITTLE DETAILS YOU HAVE ADDED COUPLED WITH THE VIEW. MAKE IT PERFECT!!
Maureen says
This is a wonderful article, Mary Ann! Love so much of it! Where did you find your La Maison sign?
Mary Ann Pickett says
It was from Etsy 10 years ago…sorry I don’t have the source.
Karen B. says
Mary Ann,
Great tips. However, with your view, I’m not sure I’d even notice the lovely ideas you’ve provided. As a renter, I completely understand the restraint shown on doing too much.
Have a great weekend.
xo,
Karen
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes…restraint 🙂 it’s not easy.
Alexis says
I forwarded this to a young Navy wife dealing with the challenges of base
housing. She is already out buying paint !
The before and after were great inspiration, paint truly is a miracle in a can !
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks! I think so too!
elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says
This looks fabulous! It is amazing what paint, art and a carpet can do!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Elizabeth.
Patricia says
Great ideas Mary Ann, thank you – and having to make your peace with the ghastly linoleum is a small price to pay for having that wonderful view!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I know, Patricia 🙂
Linda R Salazar says
You really have done an amazing job with your apartment kitchen. (actually the whole apartment!) I was researching ruggables recently…our elderly dog is having an accident here and there so we removed our wool area rug from the bedroom for now. I didn’t want to pay to have it cleaned only to get soiled again! I can see why you would have one in your kitchen area…but trust me your floor isn’t as bad as mine. No sense replacing ours until we get the kitchen remodeled.
Linda
Mary Ann Pickett says
Good luck, Linda!
LA CONTESSA says
A LOVELY REDO!
HAVE YOU ASKED THE LANDLORD IF YOU CAN REDO THE FLOOR?YOU TWO HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YEARS!
I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A YES since its so NARROW………
ITS A BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN EITHER WAY!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes, I’ve been thinking about that, Elizabeth.
Bonnie says
Love the rug idea, that is genius! I need a 5 x 7 for the foyer that is always getting dirty. Is that sizing accurate? I’ve bought 5 x 7’s before that were actually bigger and didn’t fit the space. Thanks
Mary Ann Pickett says
I would need to know the foyer dimensions but I have clients who are doctors with two young children and a dog and they put a 5 x 7 in their foyer.
Carolyn says
Are upper and lower cabinets different colors?
Mary Ann Pickett says
Same color…must be the lighting.
Marie Munroe says
Did you paint the cabinets yourself or have a professional do the job. I have a vacation house on Cape Cod with late 1970s brown cabinets-in great shape but very ugly. Trying to figure out the most economical way to do an update.
Mary Ann Pickett says
It’s been seven years since we had them painted. And since there is no hardware, they need touching up where our fingernails scrape the cabinets. You have to have a good painter who takes off the fronts, sands, primes and sprays them.
Deb K says
Love the practical advice for those of us making do with what we have. Of course, who would notice what the kitchen looked like with that view?
How have the painted kitchen cabinets held up? We have a similar “before” look with the detested oak cabinets that I would love to paint. But our daughter uses a wheelchair and is not a careful driver so the cabinets will take a beating. And I would hate chipped paint more than the oak!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Hi Deb, see my reply to Marie. I think almost any painted finish would get marked by a wheelchair…even factory finished so I’m not sure what to tell you.
Brenda says
I would love a bit more of a review on the rug by Ruggable! I have been looking at getting an 8 X 10 for my family room. I have two dogs and think the washability factor would be a plus. However I have read on other reviews that an 8 by 10 wouldn’t fit in a front load washing machine! What are your thoughts? I know yours is a smaller runner, so it might be difficult to compare. Once you have washed yours, does it lay flat again? Does it keep its shape? I find that the reviews on this brand are so mixed and I live in Canada so I really need to be sure of my purchase because returns aren’t easy!!
Mary Ann Pickett says
The pattern is printed on so it doesn’t have the look of a more expensive woven rug. This is 2.5 x 10 feet. I will let you know how it washes…it’s still new.
Brenda says
Thanks so much!!
Caron says
Hi Mary Ann! Can’t believe that I just discovered your blog – we are neighbors. Well, sort of… we live in Half Moon Bay and are also lovers of our Bay Area life. LOVE your view – mine overlooks a big farm with the ocean just beyond. Great kitchen re-do. Just started following you on Pinterest too.
Mary Ann says
Sounds so heavenly where you are!!!
Lori says
Hi Mary Ann. I found your blog recently from a post by Brend Kinsel. Your kitchen is perfect. Love how you organized the coffee and tea items. I ordered that cute little striped tray and would like to get one of the Weck jars for tea bags. Can you tell me the dimensions and style (tulip?) of the jar you used? Thank you!
Mary Ann says
Thanks! The jars are about 4″ round and the tea one is about 6″ high. Williams Sonoma and Amazon has them. Good luck!
Jill says
Did you replace all the appliances? I see the white dishwasher in one before pic and stainless in after.
Was that done by you or the landlord?
Mary Ann says
The landlord did it right before we moved it…thank goodness!
LA CONTESSA says
LOVE THE VIEW!
THAT COVERS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!
BEAUTIFUL CLEAN KITCHEN!!!!!!
XX
Paula says
Beautiful! Of course, with that view I think I’d spend about 90% of time staring out the window!
In this case, I like that you’ve kept the base neutral so that it can be enhanced by the art. Why not art in the kitchen? I hate to see a neutral kitchen that is simply a blah basic neutral with no personality. This one is great. Especially great for a rental!
Mary Ann says
Thanks, Paula!
Carla Aston says
Nice, MaryAnn. You did a great job! Love those Spicher vinyl floor cloths. Yours looks perfect in your kitchen!
Mary Ann says
Thanks, Carla!
Trudy says
Beautiful kitchen. I love how the cool neutral colors let your amazing view shine. Thanks for posting on Style by Emily Henderson, so that I could find your site. My favorite blog is Remodelista – have you shared your kitchen with them? It seems right up their alley.
Mary Ann says
Thanks, Trudy…I will check Remodelista out again…it’s been a while. Have a great weekend.
Karen Bunch says
Mary Ann,
This is great. We plan to move to a rental sometime in June-July. I’ve saved this info so I can use it as needed in our new (to us) rental.
Karen
home before dark says
I think you have a quick, enjoyable, practical refresh…but the view! What a piece of art. Barkeepers Friend is a BFF. Love the art, but probably your best, most colorful accessory is one you didn’t mention: Your husband at work cooking dinner.
Moira says
Beautiful!!
Any suggestions for affordable window coverings when your windows aren’t a standard size?
Thanks!!
Mary Ann says
Budget Blinds or check out Etsy.
Janet Lorusso says
Excellent advice, Mary Ann! Paint is an incredible game changer, isn’t it? Lovely job!
Mary Ann says
Gotta love paint!
Robin says
Beautiful kitchen! Looks like a fun place to cook while sipping on a glass of wine & admiring that spectacular view. Just ordered the cute pear art! Thanks for the inspiration – always enjoy your posts.
Mary Ann says
So glad you got that, Robin since it is one of a kind. There are others on Etsy in case anyone is interested!
Gail Storti says
You made this small galley kitchen look wonderful without any major changes. Love all your accents, especially the vinyl floor cloth! I’m definitely going to look into getting one for my kitchen floor. And then there’s that view! Great job!
Mary Ann says
Thanks, Gail. I love looking at the portrait of Rocky that you did in there!
Stephanie says
Love the copper pans…and the pattern on the vinyl. We get some water damage near our ice dispenser so I will check them out! Thanks.
Taste of France says
Congratulations for being a good role model that your landlord decided to copy! So you did yourself a favor and one for the other residents, too.
It looks like a bright, functional space, although I would be distracted by the breathtaking views.
Stacy Koehn says
Weck canning jars for coffee stuff = brilliant!!
Mary Ann says
Thanks! From Amazon.