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Source: Jess Ann Kirby
Cute colorful eclectic kitchens have been filling our Pinterest feed lately and we’re slightly obsessed! We don’t want to totally dismiss bright white kitchens, because they are still beautiful and will always be classic. However, there’s something so fun and cozy about the eclectic kitchen aesthetic that we aspire to achieve.
Since the kitchen is a natural gathering space in any rental apartment or rental home, adding some personality to the space can make a huge difference. While there are limitations to what you can do in a rental, you’d be surprised at what you could actually do to make your kitchen look totally custom.
Whether you’re looking to paint your kitchen cabinets, swap out light fixtures or add backsplash, all of this totally possible to do. Here, we’re sharing 12 renter-friendly ways to create the colorful electric kitchen of your dreams.
RELATED POST: 15 Small Apartment Kitchen Decorating Ideas That'll Take It From Basic to Stylish
This post is all about colorful electric kitchen.
12 Renter-Friendly Ways to Create the Colorful Eclectic Kitchen of Your Dreams
1. Paint Your Cabinets
One of the biggest transformations you can make in your rental kitchen is changing the color of your cabinets. With the permission of your landlord or super, paint your kitchen cabinets a beautiful, cheerful color. Whether that be a mauve pink, pastel green, butter yellow or a light peach color.

Backdrop
The Early Stuff
Cool, crisp blue with hint of gray

Backdrop
36 Hours in Marrakesh
An earthy pink

Backdrop
Rose Quartz
Soft, smooth pink

Backdrop
Mood Lighting
A neutral, soft yellow-beige

Source: @dustsheets_and_decor
2. Swap Out Your Hardware
Whether you decided to paint your cabinets or not, swapping out your hardware will add so much personality to a space. It’s something so small that can make the most dramatic impact. Swap your basic builder-grade hardware for some gorgeous brass hardware, bistro tile knobs or gorgeous nickel pulls.

Anthropologie
Wiggle Knobs, Set of 2
3 color options

West Elm
Reeded Drawer Hardware
3 finish options

Anthropologie
Wiggle SwitchPlate
6 color options

Anthropologie
Bistro Tile Knobs, Set of 2
3. Add Peel and Stick Backsplash
If there’s one thing that most rental apartments get wrong, it’s the kitchen backsplash. Having lived in several apartments over the years, we haven’t liked any of the backsplash options we’ve been handed.
Applying peel and stick backsplash is a super easy fix to create an eclectic look in your kitchen. There are so many fun patterns and colors to choose from — any one choose will make such a stunning feature.

Wayfair
Pink Morocco Peel & Stick Tile
5 color options

Wayfair
Mosaic Peel & Stick Tile

Walmart
Feather Tile Peel & Stick Tiles
4 color options

West Elm
Mosaic Marble Peel & Stick Tile

Source: @alexandragater
4. Mount a Rod and Hook System
Adding a rod and hook system to your kitchen wall or underneath your kitchen cabinet is such a unique and great way to add character to your space. Since rental kitchens often lack character, this is such a great way to do it and create more space to store coffee mugs, kitchen towels and other utensils.
When it’s time to move out, all your have to do is remove it from the wall and patch the holes.

Target
Brass S-Hook Wall Rack
2 color options

Anthropologie
Floral Mug
2 color options

Anthropologie
Le Cafe Dish Towel

Anthropologie
Heidi Serving Spoon Set

Source: Swoon Worthy
5. Decorate with Eclectic Dinnerware
If you’re looking to add color to your kitchen, a great way to do that is decorating with eclectic dinnerware. Add colorful bowls, patterned plates and cute mugs to open shelves or as a decorative moment on your kitchen counter.

Anthropologie
Beatriz Dinner Plates, Set of 4
3 color options

West Elm
Archie Glass Cereal Bowls
2 color options

Anthropologie
Amelie Assorted Latte Pasta Bowls
4 color options

Anthopologie
Lucia Acrylic Goblet Wine Glasses
7 color options
6. Swap Out Lighting Fixtures
With rental apartments and homes comes some of the ugliest light fixtures we’ve ever seen. If you know, you know. If you’re dying to swap them out with something cuter and more aesthetic, it’s totally possible.
Adding new flush mounts or pendants to your space will transform the whole vibe and give you the look you’re wanting to achieve.
*Just remember to keep the original lights in storage and swap them out if you ever decide to move out.

Amazon
Rattan Flush Mount
3 color options

Anthopologie
Harriet Ambient Flush Mount

West Elm
Sculptural Cone Pendant
5 finish options

West Elm
Joseph Altuzarra Ribbon Pendant
7. Add Floating Shelves
Another affordable and practical way to add character to your kitchen is with floating shelves. If you have empty wall space in your kitchen, adding open shelving to a small corner or open wall will instantly warm the space. Decorate the shelves with colorful, eclectic tableware to create a more curated, styled design.

Etsy
Custom Wood Floating Shelves
4 wood variety options

Amazon
Cook This Book Cookbook

Amazon
That Sounds So Good Cookbook

Anthropologie
Amelie Latte Pasta Bowls , Set of 4
8 color options

Source: Jess Ann Kirby
8. Add a Kitchen Runner or Rug
Rugs instantly add warmth and coziness to a space, and that’s no exception in a kitchen. We love adding a colorful or patterned runner or small area rug to a kitchen to make it feel more like a home.

Ruggable
Marcela Copper Coral Rug
2 color options + multiple sizes

Wayfair
Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Francis Rug
8 color options

Amazon
Boho Washable Rug
9 color options

Wayfair
Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Rosemarie Rug
9. Cozy Things Up with a Small Lamp
We’re convinced that everyone needs a small lamp in their kitchen. It adds the perfect warm glow and decorative element to a kitchen counter, and makes the space feel instantly cozy.

Wayfair
Momsen Lamp
7 color options

Target
Faux Wood Mini Table Brown Lamp

Pottery Barn Kids
Rattan Table Lamp

Wayfair
Amishi Ceramic Table Lamp
8 color options
10. Display Faux or Fresh Flowers
Faux or fresh flowers bring life to any space, but we love how they brighten a kitchen. Faux flowers are amazing, because they give you that sophisticated look for years and years — plus there are a few brands that make them look and feel so real.
Fresh florals are so beautiful and special in a space. If you have green thumb or love to splurge on a new bouquet every week, they would add such an amazing statement.

Pottery Barn
Faux White Lilac Bundles

Magnolia
Dutchess Rose
1 color options

Magnolia
Small Tulip Bundle

Magnolia
Potted Bouvardia Flower
11. Accessorize with Retro Appliances
Colorful eclectic kitchens are often marked with adorable retro appliances. We are slightly obsessed with these appliances and think they add such a fun, personality to a space —especially when they come in such adorable colors. Decorate with a beautiful retro toaster, espresso machine or tea kettle.

Crate & Barrel
Smeg Pastel Blue Toaster
12 color options + 2 Slice or 4 Slice

Amazon
Smeg Black Retro Tea Kettle
6 color options

Williams Sonoma
Smeg Espresso Maker
6 color options

Amazon
Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
22 color options

Source: @annawpage
12. Hang Art or Photographs
Artwork has a way of bringing emotion and aesthetic to a space. It has the power to tie a space together too.
You may not have room for large art pieces in your kitchen, but try decorating with small, framed art. Place some art or photographs on your kitchen counter, open shelves or on an empty wall.

Target
Matted Gallery Framed Art

Anthropologie
Philippa Frame
4 color options

Target
Silent Still Framed Art

Target
Checkerboard Framed Wall Art

Source: @the_interior_lens
This post is all about colorful electric kitchen.