How to get A Pinterest Worthy Kitchen

It’s week 3 of the $100 Room Challenge and I have some great tips on how to get a Pinterest Worthy Kitchen on a Small Budget.

In my quest to get a Pinterest Worthy Kitchen– I have been participating in a fun and creative decor challenge. We’re here in week three of the $100 Room Challenge, and I have met something that has not happened to me before- I have completed my list of projects. A week early. What?

I know– how did that happen?

If you’re just checking in on my $100 Room Challenge– go and check out weeks one and two to see where I started.

• Renter Friendly Kitchen Makeover for $100
• Week Two- $100 Kitchen Refresh

The $100 Room Challenge is hosted by Erin of Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry. Check out her blog and Instagram for so much inspiration on diy projects and home decor on a budget!

Without giving too much away- let’s take look at all the small details of this makeover room.

That will take you one step closer to a Pinterest Worthy Kitchen!

Let me back-up a little and take a look at the list of projects in my plan for this $100 Room Challenge- Rental Kitchen Makeover

• Deep clean everything from top to bottom
• Paint the ceiling
• Paint the walls white
• Stencil or wallpaper a backsplash
• Purge the pantry
• Paint sideboard, and other furniture pieces to match
• Swap out all cabinet knobs for something gold or brass
• Change metal bins for woven baskets
• Bring in more low light plants
• Add vintage-looking style rug

Half of my project was completed in weeks one and two- as that was mostly just cleaning and painting. All of the other small projects were completed in week three. Without sharing too much of the overall completed room- I will share some of the small projects and details that have brought this Rental Kitchen so much closer to the Pinterest Worthy Kitchen of my dreams!

Wallpaper the backsplash

The backsplash gave me a bit of a run for my money this week. I tried out a couple of different stencils that I had in my craft stash, and even drew out a tile pattern with some cardboard and a Sharpie paint pen.I wanted to test and see what I liked. Turns out- I liked none of it! Okay…

As I was taking some wrapping paper to the basement- I passed this roll of Opalhouse peel and stick wallpaper I had gotten over the summer from Target. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for this kitchen makeover- but I had it on hand and decided to give it a try.

And I like it! It’s bold and colorful- and I already had it in the craft stash.

Want to see the project I got this wallpaper for? Check out this post- A Simple Tray Upcycle

I know that this wallpaper is a bold choice, but I love how everything in front of it seems to really pop and stand out. The different wood grains in the cutting board seem bolder. The basic black paper towel holder looks elegant. And the brass fruit bowl ties in the yellow gold color of the wallpaper. Love it!

I highly recommend peel and stick wallpaper to any renter. These removable wallpapers are so easy to apply- and most are very affordable. And if you change your mind, or move- easy to remove!

Kitchen Decor and Accessories

Here is an easy tip to take your rental kitchen one step closer to the Pinterest Worthy Kitchen of your hearts desire. Buy the best quality kitchen decor and accessories that you can afford. They will last while you are renting and will go with you on your next move.

I bought this Le Creuset tea kettle at my local Williams Sonoma last year in the clearance section. The variegated Blue color is a nice little pop on the stovetop and the quality will last us for years.

Another kitchen accessory that most kitchens have is a utensil holder. This can be basic white crock or go for something like I did with a bit of personality!

I have been using this Talavera planter as my utensil holder for just about a year now. All I did was put a piece of cork to cover the hole in the bottom of the planter. I can use it now in the kitchen, and if ever I change my mind about it- I can use it in the garden! A versatile piece for sure.

Does your rental kitchen lack storage? Use a vintage piece of furniture for an open pantry.

A project on the list was clean out the pantry, then organize and paint. Painting the cupboard a light gray color makes all of the food items and baskets and crates pop. And believe it or not- it still looks this good two weeks later. Oh how I hope we can keep it up!

Bringing in and using old pieces of furniture is an easy way to make a rental your own! It’s yours to paint any color you would like, and can be used in a variety of ways if you ever move. And if it doesn’t work? You can sell or donate it!

Want to see how this quirky cupboard started out? Check out my post- A New to Me Kitchen Cabinet- a Thrifted Makeover

Add baskets and crates for organized storage

Another project that I wanted to do on my $100 Room Challenge was to change out some of my galvanized bins for woven baskets. I shopped my home and found these in the basement- I love the texture and color they bring to the open pantry.

Another tip for all of my renters- use baskets! Whatever type of basket that appeals to you- plastic, fabric, wire, woven, or wood. Small, or large baskets can be used in so many different ways. Hold small items and keep them organized and out of sight. To hold pillows and blankets. Or coral toys or magazines and books. They add an element of texture to your decor.

And that vintage yellow Coke Crate? It is one of my vintage unicorns that I had wanted for so long! We found it a couple of years ago during the Longest Garage Sale and I love it. The yellow ties in with the yellow wallpaper and the warm tones of the baskets. All while keeping the hot sauce collection neat and organized!

I ended up not having enough of the right size woven baskets to swap out all of my galvanized bins. Which I think is actually okay! Having a mix of stained and painted crates with woven baskets and galvanized bins keeps the textures and colors interesting for your eye to look at.

A look that I’ve seen in many a Pinterest Worthy Kitchen photo- is a mix of styles of decor on open shelves. Everything doesn’t have to match- so if it works for you and your space use it!

Change the hardware

Our rental kitchen had shiny silver knobs on all of the cabinets and drawers. Which is great- I believe that all cabinets should have knobs. It keeps the wood or painted cabinets much cleaner- as your hands grab the knob and not the cabinet itself.

That said- the shiny silver wasn’t doing it for me. I swapped out the knobs on these four drawers for a few dark bin pulls that I had in the garage leftover from our bedroom dressers makeover.

We had just enough of these Ikea knobs that were included with our dressers for the rest of the cabinets. And I love how they look! The matte gray black color is perfect! My original plan was to change to something gold or brass- but I am glad that I didn’t paint these and left them as is.

Changing the hardware is a super easy renter hack! I left the screws in the cabinet and just changed the knobs. It took just a few minutes to do the whole kitchen. And one step closer to that Pinterest Worthy Kitchen!

Bring color in with vintage furniture

During week two– I had painted this slim pantry cupboard the same gray color as the open pantry above. We only lived with it for around a week when I realized that it needed a brighter paint color. I wanted to use this poster- more about that below- and pulled the green color from the leaves in the print. I just love it now. It makes this little corner so much brighter!

I don’t want to give too much of the reveal of this vintage sideboard makeover- but I did want to share the sunflower yellow that I painted it. It goes with the wallpaper, but doesn’t match exactly. They compliment each other very nicely.

I also scrubbed all the paint off the hardware bringing it back to the dark vintage brass- which I now love! That was a job that was well worth the time!

Add Wall Decor

A super simple renter hack to get that Pinterest Worthy Kitchen is to hang wall decor that is your style. Here I hung a clock, a tile, and a couple of woven trivets.

Can’t put nails in the walls? Use double-sided tape or command strips- a great renter alternative.

Adding an oversized poster to our renter kitchen- hides an old phone jack and adds color to this side of the room.

I’ve had this poster for a couple of years- it’s a weird size. Since finding a ready made frame was becoming too hard- I decided to decoupage it to a canvas that I had in the stash. Before the reveal next week I hope to make a frame for it- just as I did in this post here- DIY Stenciled Artwork

Styled Open Shelving

Many of my Pinterest inspiration photos for this Kitchen Makeover had open shelving. We already had this shelf up- so this is not a new element for us. It just needed to be decluttered and styled.

Here I have used some pretty Talavera patterned melamine serving platters. Which you know I love! A pretty black and natural woven basket, a white coffee canister, and a glass jar with plant cuttings. All of these items are functional, budget friendly, and me give that Pinterest Worthy Kitchen style.

Add greenery with plant cuttings!

Another element that I wanted more of for my kitchen was bright green plants. This kitchen is on the north side of the house and doesn’t get as much natural sunlight as I would like.

My solution? Pothos low light plants! I have several Pothos plants that I could take some cuttings from to fill glass bottles and jars. This was such an easy and $0 decor item to add to my Pinterest Worthy Kitchen.

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How to get a Pinterest Worthy Kitchen on a small budget!

So, I feel like that was a super long post to share so many small details. But I hope that you were able to find some inspiration and an idea or two to help you get a Pinterest Worthy Kitchen on a small budget too!

Make sure to check out all the other $100 Room Challenge participant’s projects below! There are so many crazy good ideas to be found- and ALL are budget friendly!