That second distinction struck a chord with me. As a renter, I know that those of us not yet on the property ladder can be somewhat limited in our decorating abilities. We don’t necessarily have the countertops, cabinets or layout of our dreams, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have attractive kitchens! Here are my top five tips for adding style to a rental space, using the latest batch of small, cool kitchens as visuals.

1. A Lick of Paint (or Paper)
So, maybe your floor is ugly linoleum and your countertops are faux granite (mine are). You still have walls, right? Paint is one of the fastest ways to add colour and interest to a space, as this bright blue New York kitchen proves:

If you think your landlord would allow it, you could even paint the cabinets, as in this sunny San Francisco kitchen:

Wallpaper is another good option. It works especially well (and is less time-consuming to tackle) on one statement wall, as in this sweet space:

2. Look to the Lighting
As any kitchen designer will tell you, lighting is imperative not just to the practicality of your kitchen, but to its ambiance. Unless you have pot lighting in your rental, a simple change of fixture could be all your space needs. I like how the lights in Kate’s kitchen contribute to her colour scheme:

And the modern-retro pendant in this eclectic Philidelphia space works great, too:

3. Let Art Impart Style
We already know I’m a fan of art in the kitchen, so this tip should come as no surprise. Use what wall space you have to add colour, humour, or communicate who you are. The poster in this Portland Bungalow kitchen works perfectly with the tiled backsplash:

While Addie’s Cape Cod home features an oldie-but-goodie:

I especially like the sweet vintage-feel art in Alysia’s lake house:

4. Fun and Funky Accessories
If you don’t have the wall space for paintings and posters, you can still add colour in other ways. Pick your kitchen accessories carefully, and arrange them in an artful way. I love the turquoise dishes (and door knobs- how cute!) in this Las Vegas kitchen:

Alison has made storage work for her, with retro steel, blue-and-green touches and wicker baskets in her Burlington home:

5. Stand-Alones that Stand Alone
If you can’t move everything that you don’t like out, how about moving something else in? Megumi’s Brussels kitchen features vintage filing cabinets under a wooden worktop, which she uses as regular cabinets:

Ronna is a professional cook, and she added a big wooden island (for work space and storage) as well as an awesome metal equipment shelf to her Brooklyn kitchen:

When Inés bought her home, there was neither kitchen nor bathroom nor layout to speak of, so she was free to let her imagination run wild. I love the space that emerged, for its practical yet stylish nature. The white units, steel appliances and wooden countertops contrast so deliciously with the ornate mirror on the wall, and the cowhide rug in the adjoining living area.

But what I really love is the scale of this space. This isn’t a someday home, cavernous, it’ll-be-years-until-I-can-live-like-that kitchen. It’s real, approachable urban living. That just happens to resemble a design magazine.

Also, check out the space-saving, extendable island; normally accommodating three people, an extra section can flip out to seat two more! Genius, no?

Steve, an interior designer, says that he is “inspired by colour”, which is pretty evident from this space. I love the mustard cabinets and the aqua ceiling; together with the French grey walls, darker grey floors and stainless steel appliances, they make quite the modern statement. I also like how Steve has so much art in the space, the colours in which work perfectly with the decor.

Looking at these photos (you can see more of them, including “before” shots on The Kitchn’s post), I’m had a revelation of sorts. I think the defining factor in making a kitchen look “modern” is lack of overhead cabinets- bare walls or simple shelves are just so much cleaner, don’t you think? I’m wondering, though, how one goes about reconcilling the desire for a modern space with the need for storage. One to ponder, definitely.

I could go into my usual “Why this works” spiel now, but it would be a long list. The warm wood and cool subway tile, the huge storage island, the light fixtures and mismatched dining chairs… I could go on. I especially like the windows tucked between and above the cabinets. They bring in lots of light, making the space bright and airy but warm and inviting at the same time. 

Check out all the kitchen photos here, and the rest of Allison and Paul’s home here.

I love these colourful Log Bowls, from Loyal Loot. I might not want to eat out of them, but a larger one would make a great fruit bowl:

An eco take on the soap-repackaging idea, New Soap, Old Bottle from Amron Experimental: 

The idea of a rocking lunch might be a bit far-out, but I like the look of these Balancing Meal servers from United Design: