Renter's Kitchen Transformed with Two Low-Cost DIY Upgrades
A Chicago renter faced a kitchen with no counters or cabinets, making cooking and storage nearly impossible. Over two years, she added secondhand IKEA storage units for counter space and used removable wallpaper as a tall backsplash to cover old holes. The project also included painting the beadboard trim in a muted green to modernize the space.
Johanna Beach's Chicago rental initially lacked essential fixtures, prompting a two-year incremental overhaul. She sourced secondhand IKEA units through local marketplaces to create prep space, and painted the existing beadboard trim a muted hunter green to set a modern tone.
To avoid patching holes, she applied a herringbone-patterned removable wallpaper as a tall backsplash, cleverly mimicking marble and gold grout. She later acquired discarded neighbor cabinets, spray-painted them white, and added a matching steel shelf, finishing with a spontaneous orange door paint job.
This story could inspire renters to tackle non-permanent upgrades without risking deposits. It may demonstrate that functional improvements are achievable through secondhand sourcing and removable materials, potentially shifting rental design norms. It could also encourage landlords to reconsider bare-bones kitchens, as tenants show demand for adaptable, low-cost solutions.