#renter-friendly

#renter-friendly

If your counters are stained, damaged, or just outdated, you don't necessarily need to invest in a costly kitchen countertop upgrade. There is actually a cheap trick to protect your kitchen cabinets and countertops, making it easy to temporarily cover up ugly counters until you have the time and money to find a permanent solution. Contact paper is a DIY-friendly way to hide unsightly stains and blemishes, revitalize your kitchen, and try out different countertop styles and colors before making a commitment.

I recently got inspired by a trend on Nuuly, a clothing rental platform, called "The Wrong Jacket." It's all about pairing an unexpected coat choice - whether that's the proportion of the jacket, the color, or its texture - with your outfit (think: an oversized blazer with track pants, for example.) It's kind of the unexpected red theory of the fashion world.

Here's how it works: First, plug the Sleek Socket cover into the top plug on your outlet. A thin white wire leads from the socket cover to a power strip, which is where all of your plugs will go before being tucked away behind a small appliance, large piece of furniture, or another item. Every Sleek Socket includes an adhesive kit to securely fasten the white wire to the wall and create a neat, streamlined look (and reviewers say it's renter-friendly).

It seems like all the bathrooms I've ever had, big or small, have rarely had enough cabinetry. (Or is it just that I have too many toiletries?) Luckily, there are ways to add bathroom storage that don't rely on the built-ins that came with your house or apartment, whether you're dealing with more toiletries than your medicine cabinet can handle or some other storage woe.

I love to cook, so naturally my kitchen cabinets are filled to the brim with spices, condiments, and sauces I've picked up during various farmers market runs, international trips, and grocery store visits. Organizing these spice rubs and infused oils is easier said than done when I'm ready to try a new recipe, and I usually end up pulling out half of my cabinet's contents to find that one jar that was hidden in the very back.

Even though I'm not a renter anymore, I'm still always on the lookout for clever renter-friendly DIYs and upgrades - to share with readers, of course, but also because I don't necessarily want every change I make in my home to be permanent. Lately I've been thinking a lot about peel-and-stick backsplashes, and I keep coming back to this mini kitchen makeover's gorgeous checkerboard pattern made with Smart Tiles zellige peel-and-stick tile in orange and beige.