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39 Things To Make Your Rental Kitchen Feel More Like A Custom Job
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. But, you know, let your landlord know that it's all temporary or reversible. Let's get that security deposit back! Anyone who's cooked a meal or 20 in a rental kitchen (present party included) likely has a mental list of things they'd change if they could. But, y'know, it's a rental. Welp, there lots of little upgrades that can make your kitchen work better for you and/or *look* nicer without compromising you getting your security deposit back after moving. Think a small cabinet-mounted kitchen trash can that won't be an eyesore, an under-sink organizer that'll fit around your pipes, and lots more stuff built to make life easier. StoveShelf is a small business, and these shelves are built to last a lifetime. Promising review: "This product is so simple but already feels like it has a huge impact on my kitchen. I have a tiny kitchen, so I need to sneak any extra storage where I can, and this adds a shelf that wasn’t there before. I am looking forward to adding the Stoveshelf oil bottle set to my collection, so my most frequently used cooking oils are that much easier to grab." —Alison W Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in three types and three sizes). I have VERY narrow kitchen drawers in my NYC one-bedroom apartment kitchen and buying one of these organizers has transformed my cutlery drawer. I'm able to safely reach in and grab whatever I need (like a manual can opener for tuna salad or a mini whisk for a hot chocolate) without having to sift tools around. You can peep the full TikTok showing how easily these go on. They're made by small biz ReVent Covers. They also make custom covers for air vents to make them less of an eyesore, so check those out if you have some unsightly vents in your home. I like the sleek look of these white ones, but Amazon sells these in a bunch of fun designs too if you're looking to add a pop of color. Get it from ReVent Covers on Etsy for $39.99+ (originally $49.99+; available in five designs and many sizes). Promising review: "TikTok inspired me. Guys, this thing is the real deal. Everything that doesn't fit on my spice rack ended up cluttering my cabinets. This thing solved that problem efficiently, quickly, and reasonably. We added a little extra double sided tape to the bottom to make it extra secure. Love it." —Kaitlyn B. Promising review: "Can't beat the quality for the price! Solid weight, none arrived scratched, bent or broken. Definitely get the template! It makes installation a breeze! With the template, I had 24 handles installed in less than 45 minutes! Immediately upgraded my cabinets. Very happy with this purchase!" —alexa Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in quantities 1–60 and in seven colors). Promising review: "I ordered these just to determine if we really needed under cabinet lighting. I really wasn't expecting much because of the price. It is very easy to install, with five levels of brightness with the included remote control, timers for on and off, and a manual on/off switch in the connecting wiring if you don't use the remote. Standard 2025 button battery for the remote. I really don't know how they can be sold for the price I paid. Also received in two days. The photo was taken in a very dark kitchen. Updated: I ordered two more packages to finish the lighting required. The electrical plug is much better since it does not stick out from the wall so far. Very pleased with these units." —Anthony E Spearman Get three 12-inch lights from Amazon for $13.59. Promising review: "This has been the best situation for organizing my recycling. I no longer have to deal with another bin on the floor." —Dora SnapPower is a small biz that specializes in unique and innovative lighting products. Promising review: "I ordered this after seeing it on TikTok. I’m very happy with this product!" —Miss. Harris "Game changer. When I get up, I don’t want to wake everyone up with flipping on lights and all. These provide plenty of walking through the house light. Super easy installation, too." —Monica Martinez Get it from Amazon for $22.98 (available in three outlet styles and four colors). Promising review: "I installed an expensive soft white tile (if there is such a thing) floor in the kitchen when I bought my house. At the time, it was a new product and it was beautiful – that fuzzy, warm feeling changed the first time I dropped a fork. I have been so frustrated no wanting to rip up and put down replacement tiles. The grout pen made it look new again, I am thrilled with the results!" —K. Robles Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes). Psst, as you can see above, this set also comes with a crumb catcher where your stovetop meets your countertop! Promising review: "I've been using the foil ones and while they do the job, they're not so nice to look at. I like that this is black so it matches the original color of the appliances, but more importantly I like that this has a larger surface area to catch the drips that the foil ones never could before. They're also trim to fit, so they get right up into each burner without leaving gaps where drips can burn where it's hardest to clean. Time will tell if they're as durable/reusable as they claim. If they are, then I'll try to trim two of the spares to fit the center large burner. Overall recommended." —Michael Get an 8-pack from Amazon for $10.99 (also available in four colors). Enhances the natural beauty and depth of grain on finished *and* unfinished wood. For use on antiques, dining tables, kitchen cabinets, wood doors and trim, etc. Promising review: "I have tried numerous products on my wood kitchen cabinets, and nothing has worked. You can see from the photos that they were in really bad shape. I applied this product and let it sit for 45 minutes before I wiped the cabinets down. I can’t believe how well it worked! If this didn’t work, I figured I would have to refinish or paint the cabinets because they looked so bad. I’m so glad I tried it! It has saved me a lot of time and money!" —nicole feather Promising review: "I can't believe how well Old English works! I recently purchased a home where a dog previously lived and had horribly scratched the woodwork. I thought I may have to sand and refinish the woodwork around two doors. Old English saved me a lot of work! " —Behold Behold! Promising review: "I’ve used these to touch up our armoire, coffee table, chair and couch legs, kitchen cabinets, bar stools. The variety of colors make it possible to touch up almost anything. I’m not sure what or how to use the wax. The end result isn’t noticeable that it’s been marked up with a marker." —FrankSFO Promising review: "I like this so much that I actually just ordered another one for under the bathroom sink. Not only did it tidy the clutter and make items easier to find at first glance, but also made it possible for me to store another few items below the sink, including the spray cleaners I use for my countertops. I didn't configure it around pipes (as I see can be done), but actually used the flexible shelving options to place taller or larger items directly on the floor of my under-sink storage — rather than on the lowest shelf (see last photo) — to maximize my storage possibilities and keep regularly used items accessible. I also didn't fully extend the shelving, just as suggested by the manufacturer for stability purposes ... and still found it offered ample storage. Easy to assemble, with some flexibility for shelf height and placement — highly recommend!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $22.87+ (available in three finishes). The length expands to 30" and each rod is 6.5" tall to accommodate taller items. Synthetic rubber bumpers protect your delicate surfaces. Promising review: "Finally, a solution to corral all of these freaking pot and pan lids! It expands perfectly to accommodate my 30" wide cabinet. Actually, it can go a little further than that but it gets less stable when you exceed the maximum width. It also works great for smaller cabinets. I tried it out in a pull-out drawer that's approximately 24" and it serves its purpose well." —Nurse Bex Just make sure that the paint is a match! Promising review: "Rather than ditching furniture into a landfill, which is bad for the environment and one's pocketbook, this product allows you to give new life to existing furniture. Between the Soto touchup and new handles, my entertainment center looks like new....for less than $35. If you can use liquid paper, you can use this. I just ordered another bottle for porcelain. This is a fantastic product. You will love it!" —LexiNYC Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in 24 colors). Promising review: "Very awesome stuff. The bottom of my cabinets had a rough, crumbly texture. This is a great fix to keep the silicone pieces of my dishes from picking it up. Feels a lot cleaner and it looks great! Highly recommend for looks and function!" —Kelsey Ware (for the pic on the right): "Very pretty print, actually grips unlike everything else I’ve tried from Home Depot. Worth spending a few extra bucks." —Marie Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 10 sizes and 11 colors and patterns). Promising review: "Um, why haven't you bought it already? This stuff WORKS! As a repeat boil-over offender, this has saved my stove time and time again. No regrets buying it! First photo is after a messy cooking session, second photo shows just how great the pink stuff is at cleaning up!" —M.C. Useful Products is a US-based small business established in 2007 by car wash owner, electrician, and former bodybuilder Anthony LaPolla that specializes in drill-cleaning brushes and attachments. Each of the different brush colors indicates which tasks the brushes are meant for based on their bristle type, so be sure to check which one is best suited for whatever you need to for! Yellow is the “all-purpose” medium bristle, but some are softer and harder depending on what types of surfaces you’re cleaning (but none of them will scratch!). Promising review: "I manage many apartment properties and finding people to do the cleaning has been tricky business, so I end up having to get in and clean these horrendous filth pods tenants lived in and left me to deal with when they move out. The ovens and stove tops are usually the worst, and I absolutely hate cleaning. I came across this drill attachment set, and let me tell you, it helped me tremendously! I still had to get in with a putty knife on some of them but it really cut down my elbow-grease time." —alicia haats Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in six colors and stiffness levels). YouCopia is a small biz specializing in home goods. Promising review: "This is one of my favorite things I've ever purchased from Amazon! The fact that they're so customizable allows you to cut them and shape them to any drawer size! I think this will be my go-to gift for all of my friends who love cooking as much as I do! Freeing up cabinet space and having something that can so easily be rinsed off in the sink makes this a for sure buy!" —momonono Get a 10-foot roll from Amazon for $15.99. Promising review: "This is an amazing tool to organize, declutter, and gain accessibility. I used to have a shelf of boxed teas that I had to rummage through when I wanted to make a cup. Now I can see what I have, I save cabinet space, and it is easy to store along side my kettle. I loved it so much I ordered a second one for my office. I get many compliments." —D. Burks Get it from Amazon for $16.60+ (available in three colors). Note that this kit includes just the decals and measurement labels, not the horizontal holders or hooks for the measuring cups and spoons. Promising review: "Bought these for my mom. I applied them inside her baking cupboard and it makes doing conversions for recipes a breeze. So convenient." —Kelly C. Promising review: "So I saw this tiny trash can on TikTok, and I was moving into a tiny studio apartment and thought this would be perfect. Turns out it's one of the best things I've ever bought. I installed mine with the over-the-cabinet hooks (also comes with adhesive stickers) on my kitchen island, and it is so convenient I can't even express with words. The lid is on this nifty hinge so you can open it by flipping the lid up, or by sliding it forward and it folds down out of the way. I usually keep it open while I'm cooking but I can close it super quickly if I see the dog coming. There is a little pull tab for easy opening. It is so easy to use and easy to clean. It's also so cute! I use my plastic grocery bags as trash can liners for this and they fit perfectly. It comes with a roll of bags as well. The lid lifts off easily to change bags out. Clicks back on easily over the new liner. Can't recommend this enough!! This is going on my list of 'best things I've ever spent my money on.'" —Ginger Get it from Amazon for $20.39 (available in three colors). I lucked out with some similar racks already mounted in my apartment (like these!) and I adore them. Promising review: "These could not have been easier to install! They hold my everyday stemware securely, and they make for a nice display. Game-changer in my cabinet organization." —C. Mathes Get three rows (enough for nine glasses) from Amazon for $18.99 (available in four colors and two styles). macraYAYmacrame is an Indianapolis, Indiana-based shop that makes a variety of cool macrame accessories. My colleague Jenae Sitzes owns and loves this: "I recently picked up this macrame basket (in the Cactus shade) and *highly* recommend it if you're looking to add a cozy touch to your kitchen. As someone with a relatively small NYC kitchen, I need every bit of counter space I can get, and this lets me keep produce out without having to take up space with a fruit basket or banana stand. I'm a big fan of utilizing vertical space as storage, and this does just that; plus, it allows for ventilation to help your fruit stay fresh for longer. I'm constantly cooking with onions or grabbing an apple as a mid-day snack, and having them right there at an arm's reach is sooo nice. BTW, these come with hooks that screw directly into a cabinet, but if you (like me) want to avoid that damage, I recommend using Command hooks — I'm using four of these small toggle hooks and they've held up the basket *with* produce in it wonderfully." Get it from macraYAYmacrame on Etsy for $33. Promising review: "This organizer is so useful! I recently moved and ended up with a much smaller kitchen, so I've been doing everything I can to make sure there's a place for everything and no wasted space. Luckily, I have pretty wide cabinets, so this works out perfectly. I have one holding my cutting boards (four standard plastic boards) and another holding my foil, cling wrap, and parchment paper boxes. The organizer is super easy to assemble and it's completely versatile. Hang it over the cabinet door or attach it to the wall/cabinet door, which means it's great for renters and owners." —Kerry Get it from Amazon for $16.97 (also available in a two-pack). Check out a TikTok of the plastic bag dispenser in action. Psst — these come with optional sticker labels so you know which size bag you're grabbing! Promising review: "I like it very much. Not so large. Lightweight. Would look nice on top of the counter. What I like is that you do not have to wrangle the box into the slots. Simply pick up the roll of bags from their packaging and put them in the designated slot." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three-, four-, or five-slot models). Promising review: "My wife bought these for kitchen appliances after seeing a TikTok video. They work great and help things look neater!" —Josh&Shan Promising review: "Fits my Kenmore like a charm. Don't know why it took me so long to figure this solution out." —Shell Promising review: "Great addition to my galley kitchen! I placed by my fridge for easy access while cooking and it has worked seamlessly for my needs! Easily stores spices, plastic bags, and aluminum foil." —Elizabeth B. Promising review: "I purchased this item as I am a quilter. It is a wonderful item. I find the height to be good for ironing. I use the bamboo topper with a wool iron pad and am able to iron near my sewing machine. Also the storage underneath is good too. I am able to store many extras and keep them near me as I sew." —Mary Get it from Ikea for $37.98 (available in three colors). Made from heavy-gauge steel and can store up to 36 cans of various sizes. Promising review: "These units were easy to assemble. They felt sturdy. I love that they are made of metal and not cheap plastic. I'm considering buying two more, and going side by side and stocking up on can goods!" —Amazon Customer It has an about six-step installation process and includes all the parts you'll need. The brace adjusts to any size between 4” and 6” and fits the standard base sockets. They can be used on sloped ceilings up to 45˚, works in damp locations, has a 50-pound maximum load rating, and is paintable with no visible screws or hardware. Promising review: "This was a pretty easy installation considering the work is on the ceiling. I've been wanting to change out the two can lights over my sink for years, so I started investigating the easiest possible way to do so. Ran across this item, and watched the video on YouTube. What the heck, I thought! Rewatched the video before installation, looked at the directions on both the converter kit and the pendant light, gathered the necessary tools described in all instructions, and set upon my mission. The hardest part (for me) was getting the self-tapping screws started. I'm pretty pleased with the outcome, I must say! By the way, I'm a 55-year-old female who has worked at a bank all of my life. Yes! It was that easy. I would highly recommend it." —Trisch Reeve Promising review: "I have a weird skinny window in my house where no normal window covering works. People walking on our community trail can see up into our upstairs bathroom when the light is on and it's dark outside. Not a good plan at all. So I used this window film and cut different-sized circles and placed then on this window to interrupt the view into the house. Worked perfectly! Very easy to use." —Marsgard Get it from Amazon for $5.51+ (available in 14 sizes). Promising review: "Repeat customer! I purchased one to organize the garden tools (rake, hoe, cultivator, shovel, etc.) in our garage and by alternating the tops of the tools up/down, was able to fit them neatly in the holder. Liked it so much, going to install another next to it for the other items. The hooks are a nice feature to hold our gloves and a simple plastic bag to hold things when needed." —Rob C. Check out a TikTok of the yogurt storage rack in action. Storage Theory is a small business that specializes in home and office organizational products. Promising review: "Works great, wish I would have gotten more!! So very handy to have and see how many yogurts we have. Comes with two super-strong 3M adhesive stripes. Highly recommend product!!" —Amanda Adams Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in packs of one or two). Promising review: "I really needed something to store my big pots and pans in the cabinet. I have other racks in which I have stored small- to medium-sized pots and lids, but for big ones, I needed something different. I just took a chance and ordered this. I was worried that this was going to be very flimsy. I was wrong. It's very strong. I have expanded the rack and put two big pots/pans on top and two big on the bottom. It's amazing how much space my cabinet has now. This is really a good buy." —Mrspjr Get it from Amazon for $16.87 (available in bronze and silver). Check out a TikTok of the rectangular Lazy Susan in action. Promising review: "Wow! I love this turntable organizer! I can fit so many items on it, and because of that, I now have so much more space on the door shelves. With this organizer, I will have easy access to all of those extra items that just don't have their own space. Now they do have a place to go! I would highly recommend this product to everyone who wants to feel more organized and doesn't want to lose items in their fridge." —Amazon Customer Promising review: "This holds a lot of utensils, freeing up space and making it super convenient for me. I’m about to order a few more. It looks amazing in my kitchen. Love love love!!!" —kimmy coe Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in a variety of lengths and wood types). * Clever Ways To Hide All The Eyesores In Your Home You’ve Been Glaring At For Ages * Your Bedroom Is Your Sanctuary — Treat It Like That With These 31 Products * Inexpensive Tweaks You Can Make To Your Home For Under $10 A Pop * Products That'll Make Your Friends Think, "Wow, Your Place Looks *So* Nice" * Things To Make Your House Smell Amazing 24/7 * Products That’ll Help You Automate Your Home Beyond Clapping To Turn On Your Lights * These 31 "Dream House" Products Are Surprisingly Affordable * Things That’ll Improve Your Kitchen So Much You’ll Think You Entered The Twilight Zone * Easy Upgrades For Anyone Who Spends A *Lot* Of Time In Their Home Office * Products That’ll Help Revive All The Things In Your Home That Are Currently On The Chopping Block Plus, options for your WFH space, and finds from Anthropologie, Etsy, Ikea, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, and Wayfair. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Elizabeth Lilly is a deputy editorial director with more than a decade of lifestyle journalism spanning a range of subjects under her (tool) belt that includes four and a half years at a home improvement magazine. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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