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When you’re renting, on a tight budget, and in a small apartment, it can be hard to find inspiration to personalize and beautify your space. Here are a few ways I upgraded my 40 square foot mini-kitchen:
1. Changed the cabinet knobs. The dirty old plastic ones were once white but had turned yellow over time. They just needed to be unscrewed and these colourful ceramic ones could be installed. They always have beautiful ones at Haveli Home at the Junction, which is where I got half of mine.
2. Painted a statement wall*. A beautiful range of patterns can be found at online stores like this one from Cutting Edge Stencils on Etsy.
*Ask your landlord before painting.
3. After giving the cabinets a fresh coat of paint (kitchen and bathroom paint to help fight mildew), I laid shelf liners inside. It is comforting to know my dishes are sitting on a clean surface that can be wiped down and then the liners be easily replaced when they get too dirty.
4. Installed wine glass holders in upper cabinets to allow more dishes to be stored underneath.
5. To relieve some counter space, I installed rails just under the cabinets. They come with hooks that can carry cooking spoons, veggie peelers, or the items I use most often. There are even special attachments for dish racks, wine glass holders, and general purpose baskets to further relieve my counter-top and drawers from overcrowding.
