Rental properties, by their very nature, can be devoid of personality. Unlike when you own a property and have free rein to rejig rooms, add wallpaper, replace floors and generally make the whole place an expression of your own taste, you're much more restricted in a rental, which has to be neutral enough to appeal to a long string of renters. Normally, the rule is that you must leave the place exactly as you found it, so colourful bathroom tiles, new kitchen worktops or floorboards are out of the question. When it comes to the kitchen, which is arguably one of the most important rooms in the house, the image that comes to mind is one of a bland space with zero frills.
But, don't despair – there are ways to inject a rental kitchen with a few decorative flourishes which really bring it to life. We've turned to interior designers to find out their top tips for creating a space which feels well and truly yours (even when it isn't).
Place freestanding lighting at different levels
One thing all interior designers can agree on is that when it comes to making a space feel warm, cosy and personal, good lighting is absolutely key. Mixing lights of different heights and provenance will add layers of intrigue (and depending on the shade, can add pattern and colour), to your kitchen. ‘Rentals always seem to have poor lighting, but can be completely transformed with just a floor lamp and a table lamp’, says Natalie Tillison, the designer and antique dealer behind Folie Chambre. Honorée of our 2024 Rising Star award, Alice B. Davies, suggests taking it one step further, and actually switching out any ugly light fittings for prettier ones. ‘Make sure you keep the removed one, and then you can simply reinstall it before moving’, she says. The benefit of both lamps and light fittings, of course, is that these things can come with you when you leave your rental.
Layer textiles
‘A curtain on a cupboard can add so much character’ says Alice. ‘It’s easy enough to source some inexpensive vintage fabric and remove a cupboard door or two. It could transform a dull kitchen into something with oodles of charm and texture’. ‘I also love a kitchen rug’, she adds, ‘use one that can take a bit of tough love, my favourite is a sturdy seagrass rug that doesn’t mind being hosed down and hung on the washing line every so often’.
Add a lick of paint
Yes, you might have moved into a rental house with a kitchen that doesn’t feel quite ‘you’. Often, this is because the landlord has chosen a colour palette (or lack thereof, in the case of those white boxes you often find on Rightmove) that isn’t to your taste. But these things can be changed just as easily as they can be changed back – though obviously, you will need to get permission from your landlord first. If you have kitchen cupboards which can be painted, then interior designer and one of House & Garden’s Rising Stars George Jessel recommends painting them in a ‘really bold colour to make a big impact. This can be a long and arduous process and not something to be taken lightly, you have to fully remove the doors off their hinges and paint a few layers and then re-hang the doors’.
If you have a linoleum kitchen, or one which can’t be painted, try painting the walls or ceilings, suggests Alice. ‘It makes a real statement. Choose colours that compliment the things you can’t change, such as the floor finish, the worktop, or the tiles’.
Disguise spotlights
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There is a long-established tension between interior designers and spotlights in the ceiling. Whether because they can be unflattering, or because they allow very little room for decorative embellishment, they are often shunned. In a rental you don’t have the luxury of choosing what kind of lights you have.
If you do find yourself confronted with the dreaded spotlight, Natalie suggests finding ways to disguise ‘frightening spotlights – there are quite a lot of options of magnetic or clip-on shades to cover them’, she says. Martin Brudnizki – another anti-spotlight campaigner – has designed some rather lovely spotlight diffusers which come in a range of finishes and will add a glamorous touch to any kitchen.
Embellish your cupboards
You may have been lumbered with a bland, possibly unattractive kitchen with very little promise, but there are some small changes you can make which will have a surprising impact. Interior designer Emma Ainscough’s favourite trick is to upgrade the handles on cabinets. ‘They can change the feel of a kitchen instantly and are a very easy change, particularly if the holes are already there. You can easily put back the old handles when you move and take the new ones with you’. Her go-to handles are Matilda Goad’s coloured knobs, which, she says, will ‘instantly elevate any rental kitchen’. George turns to Anthropologie for handles.
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Make a the most of your walls
Nothing says ‘rental’ more than endless stretches of empty walls. ‘Any wall can be improved with art on it’, says Alice. ‘It is such an easy way to add character and personality to a space, even if you can’t do much else! I always think oversized pieces create drama and lots of smaller pieces hung together add so much character. I tend to advise staying away from too many prints and modern style framing as this can feel flat. Instead, trawl eBay and markets for characterful second hand works in decent frames’.
It’s not just art that can be hung on the walls. An eclectic mixture of what George refers to as ‘dressing pieces’ will instantly add a sense of personality to a space. ‘I love to put small frames on the wall, or a little built-in shelf on brackets with my favourite cookbooks and hooks for teacups. I also love a hanging bar for pots and pans, herbs, utensils, and tea towels. It is a really nice way to add a cosy feeling’.
‘Shelving is a quick and easy fix, and easy to remove if the rental ends’, says Natalie Tillison. Shelves can be as simple as a single length of wood resting on brackets, or if you can’t make holes in your walls (or don’t want to have to fill them in when you leave), opt for a freestanding shelving unit. ‘Fill them with beautiful vintage ceramics, interesting pots, candles and vintage art. It can make a bland rental kitchen feel like your own’.
Mix in some antiques
‘A moveable antique island is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. Add a couple of vintage stools and it becomes the hub of the house, and can all be picked up and taken with you when you go’, says Natalie. It’s a point of view shared by Alice, who recommends trawling auctions and second-hand sites for a kitchen table and chairs. Her other favourite way to add a sense of personality to a rather stark kitchen is with an armchair. ‘I love one in the kitchen if there’s space – there are so many second-hand options out there and they can really elevate a space’.
Don’t forget finishing touches
Plants, flowers, tablecloths and candles are all lovely flourishes which can take a space from bare to bountiful. There’s a real charm in a couple of terracotta pots with herbs in them, or a lovely vintage jug with cut flowers. For our favourite accessories to bring vibrancy to your kitchen, take a look at our round up of the best kitchen accessories to buy now.
