Updating a tiny kitchen in a rental apartment (on a budget)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go with a classic white shaker style cabinet. Splurge on a granite or quartz counter tops - it's such a small space and not a lot of counter top that it won't be too costly and give you the biggest bang for your buck. Then you can get an under mount sink and a goose neck faucet. Replace the appliances with stainless. Do you have any extra width to get a reasonably priced cabinet depth refrigerator - 36"? That would help make the space feel larger. You can pick a fun back splash as well - again - shouldn't be too costly since it's such a small space. Nice modern neutral color tile floor. Your biggest cost in redoing the kitchen will probably be labor.

+1 Look at this and 21:27.

Is there any way to get the refrigerator on the long wall with the sink so that it is less oppressive as you walk in the kitchen? That might help. Also, a side-by-side look might increase height. Then a counter/shelf on the right wall as you face the space of the old refrigerator, or nothing there. But right now it feels like you're walking into standing room only. Or, can the stove and refrigerator flip?

White (or off-white) for cabinets is good to lighten the room; it won't get any 'dirtier' than dark and dark would be too much. Shaker style or something simple, definitely. Backsplash like white glass or subway tile.

[Anonymous]

White cabinets will show dirt imo. If you want timeless get something like natural maple cabinets and do some kind of granite countertop w/ undermount sink. Tile I'd pick some kind of neutral tile at least 12"x12" ideally set on a diagonal. That's timeless and nice. Put some recessed cans in the ceiling and a nice looking backsplash (just don't pick anything too crazy and you'll be fine).

For such a small job a handyman or someone similar should be able to do it. They have to know what they're doing of course.. First gut the kitchen, install new flooring, then cabinets, countertop, backsplash, plumbing. I'd definitely rip out everything now and redo it while you're in the process of doing it.

[Anonymous]

^Oh ya to add to my post above. I'd definitely look if you can relocate the fridge somewhere. It's hard to tell from the picture if it's blocking the countertop or what. A counter depth fridge might be worth splurging on if you can't move it as it's such a small space that every few inches counts.

[Anonymous]

There's a designer at HD who can help if you take in a floor plan and ask for help moving the appliances to a better layout. I used her for our kitchen, but only ended up getting the countertops from there.

[Anonymous]

I would go white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless appliances and a dark gray or black granite countertops. Some of this could have been the market but I put in 15k and sold the condo for 45k above what i paid for it after 2 years. I used Hope Depot semi-custom cabinets (was adding cabinets to the other wall in a galley kitchen that couldn't be full depth). I would also think about a skinnier dishwasher and a two door fridge for using the space better. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

i would paint them white or cream. add handles/knobs. get a new counter-top and new refrigerator. if you want, add a backsplash from home depot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused by your picture. Are the cabinets blocked by the fridge? Where is the stove?

The kitchen is a very small square, but you can't really tell that from this photo. Next to the dishwasher is a 12" cabinet, then the corner and another cabinet and the stove on your left. (Stove is hidden in this photo by the wall.

But the fridge is blocking cabinets, correct? If so, I'd move the fridge entirely.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the fridge blocking cabinets is so odd that it would turn me off from an apartment altogether. Was it on the outside wall before? Either gut the cabinets and make room for the fridge, or see if you can find a better place for it. Blocking the cabinets makes it even more glaring as out of place, a tight fit, and wasting valuable cabinet space.

[Anonymous]

Get a 24" fridge and put it on the same wall as the sink.
Summit makes one and liebherr is great if this wasn't a rental.
https://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Width%3A+19%22+-+23.9%22%3BRefrigerators/Nao~20%3BN~26+776

Also get an 18" dishwasher.
IKEA cabinets.

Go to http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath
And post a floor plan and your general budget and people will come up with awesome ideas for you!!
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a 24" fridge and put it on the same wall as the sink.
Summit makes one and liebherr is great if this wasn't a rental.
https://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Width%3A+19%22+-+23.9%22%3BRefrigerators/Nao~20%3BN~26+776

Also get an 18" dishwasher.
IKEA cabinets.

Go to http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath
And post a floor plan and your general budget and people will come up with awesome ideas for you!!
Good luck.

I agree with this, especially the 18" dishwasher. A slimmer refrigerator is also important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a 24" fridge and put it on the same wall as the sink.
Summit makes one and liebherr is great if this wasn't a rental.
https://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Width%3A+19%22+-+23.9%22%3BRefrigerators/Nao~20%3BN~26+776

Also get an 18" dishwasher.
IKEA cabinets.

Go to http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath
And post a floor plan and your general budget and people will come up with awesome ideas for you!!
Good luck.

I agree with this, especially the 18" dishwasher. A slimmer refrigerator is also important.

Refrigerator like this.

https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/FFBF191SS.html?mv_pc=fr&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=FFBF191SS&gclid=Cj0KEQjw6uO-BRDbzujwtuzAzfkBEiQAAnhJ0IAfhqF8oO8nWTI5vTRDasdzEmjFomsoay09M0niad8aAnxb8P8HAQ

[Anonymous]

Can you do a partial opening to create a knee wall and countertop "island"?

It would help add some value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go with a classic white shaker style cabinet. Splurge on a granite or quartz counter tops - it's such a small space and not a lot of counter top that it won't be too costly and give you the biggest bang for your buck. Then you can get an under mount sink and a goose neck faucet. Replace the appliances with stainless. Do you have any extra width to get a reasonably priced cabinet depth refrigerator - 36"? That would help make the space feel larger. You can pick a fun back splash as well - again - shouldn't be too costly since it's such a small space. Nice modern neutral color tile floor. Your biggest cost in redoing the kitchen will probably be labor.

I think those are all really great suggestions.

[Anonymous]

If you can work it in the space, I would do Ikea cabinets. You can always buy a new door for practically next to nothing and they take abuse better than builder grade home depot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can work it in the space, I would do Ikea cabinets. You can always buy a new door for practically next to nothing and they take abuse better than builder grade home depot.

+1 Also, the Ikea 'look' is very popular. And for a rental you definitely want to appeal to the larger taste.