12 Renter-Friendly Ways to Create the Colorful Eclectic Kitchen of Your Dreams

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.