My kitchen is too dark. I have red decorations, light wood color dining table and have some black chairs. The cabinets are a dark brown. I can't paint or change the cabinets or the walls, either. It is not my own place, it's an apartment. The walls are like a beige color. I could paint my furniture. Should I? Please help.
By elizabeth from Berwyn, IL
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Can you bring any extra light into the room? A tall pole light that just needs a plug?
You could paint your chairs a couple of shades lighter than your table, and add some seat cushions, and also put a light colored table cloth or place mats on your table. You could install under-mount cabinets lights (the kind that just plug in) under your top cabinets in a couple of places, and you could put down a couple of light colored area rugs; one in front of the sink, one in front of the fridge and/or one under the table depending on how big your kitchen is.
Can you put up sheer curtains? Or just put up some sheer valances or if you have curtains take them down if you are allowed to do so, have blinds only, good luck.
You could go online and find some stick on material to place on the cabinet doors. I'm sure there are products that stay on but isn't hard to remove and won't leave residue when removed. If you find this product, choose something that will lighten the kitchen. I once rented a house for about four years and was told not to change anything but I did anyway.
When I moved in, the walls were all dingy white, cabinets all very dark and I hated it. I love color. I knew that I would never see my deposit again so I painted the house the way I wanted it. I even did faux finishes on the doors and did a very cool crackle faux finish on one of the bathroom vanities. Because I sealed the finish with several coats of clear coat, I would bet the vanity is still there!
Everyone who posted here have great ideas for you. It is difficult to change things when you aren't allowed to but I truly believe that there are products available to use temporarily like the cabinet door coverings. Lighting would make a huge difference. Good luck and when you get everything the way you want it, post some pics here so we can see.
Can you talk to your landlord about things you can do that will make the place more marketable once you leave? I would go for painting the cabinets, but I see your point. If the landlord would allow it, it would be the biggest bang for the buck. Here's more on that:
www.oldhouseweb.com/
Use fabric, first spread liquid starch on the surface you want to put the fabric on. Cut the fabric to size and dip the fabric in the liquid starch. Apply fabric and smooth out. When ready to remove, just spray with water and remove.
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