Can't Replace Your Outdated Cabinets? Here's A Renter-Friendly Workaround

Renting has its advantages, but one major drawback is the restrictions when it comes to customizing or renovating your space. If your kitchen looks like it's from a bygone era, you probably yearn constantly to replace those outdated cabinets. Maybe you're dealing with an unfashionable cabinet color or out-of-style hardware that makes the heart of your home feel old and drab. Since most lease agreements forbid permanent changes, a common myth about renting is that any updates to the space are out of the question. But there are actually a few renter-friendly workarounds when it comes to outdated kitchen cabinets!

One remodeling task that some landlords permit is painting the walls in your space. Owners sometimes let their tenants paint for a few simple reasons. It allows a renter to create a space that feels like home, which makes for less frequent turnovers and encourages a sense of responsibility for the space. Refreshing the paint on your kitchen walls not only elevates the look of the whole room, but it can also draw the eye away from the eyesore of dated cabinets. While you're not updating the cabinets themselves, you're creating a kitchen that looks better with them. This is a surprising way to update cabinets without actually updating them — and without the risk of losing your security deposit.

There are a few dated kitchen design trends that make the space look tired, and the color of the wood cabinets is one of the most common dead giveaways that your kitchen is stuck in the past. If you're dealing with those orangey or yellow-hued wood cabinets from the early 2000s, you're not alone. This honey oak style was once popular for its warmth and country-inspired feel, but those orange tones give a cheap, dated vibe that clashes with the appliances and decor of a modern kitchen design. To offset the oranginess, throw in a bit of contrast by painting your kitchen walls a cooler tone, such as sage green, soft powder blue, or dusty teal. These hues help balance the warmness of the honey oak, giving your kitchen a modern twist without color clashing.

Alternately, you may be dealing with dated cabinets that are stained in a too-dark espresso finish. While dark wood furniture is making a comeback, many dark cabinets look dated because they darken the space too much — and the kitchen is a room that should feel bright and welcoming. To rectify the oppressive effect of your dark wood cabinets, try painting your kitchen walls a light neutral color, such as warm beige, light gray, or even blush pink. These shades warm up the space, create contrast, and give it a clean, modern feel.

Now, if your landlord or property manager isn't cool with you painting the walls in your rental space, there are still some other ways to pull off a renter-friendly cabinet makeover without violating your lease. The simplest thing to do is swap out the hardware on your cabinets. Replacing clunky and dated knobs and handles with ones that are more modern can change the whole feel of your kitchen. For honey oak cabinets, try hardware with a matte black finish to provide some sleek contrast. On espresso cabinets, warm metallic hardware such as brass, gold, or chrome can freshen them up and bring in some brightness.

There are a couple of renter-friendly tricks that can actually make your dated cabinets look like they've been fully renovated. For example, you can completely remove the doors and replace them with glass cabinet doors or ones that are a bold color and pair well with the remaining cabinet materials. Just make sure you keep the old doors in good condition so you can re-install them when you move out. If you've got some time on your hands, you can also cover your whole set of cabinets with vinyl wrap, which is available in a variety of finishes. To protect the cabinet finish, add a layer of poster board between the adhesive and the wood. It can also be used to cover any undesired paneling. All of these solutions are reversible and renter-friendly, but they make a big difference in creating a modern kitchen space that feels like home.