The DIY Diaries: Rental Kitchen Upgrade
Easy, Low-Commitment Upgrades to Turn a House into a Home
The Magic of Peel & Stick.
Welcome back to The Prim Life!
If youβve been following along, you know life has been a whirlwind for me and my three boys. A few years ago, I found myself navigating a divorce, moving into a rental home, and rebuilding my life piece by piece. Just when I felt like I had found some footingβsettling into a new routine, single parenting, and building my businessβI faced a second move. Another uprooting. Another scramble to find a place that felt safe, comforting, and, well, home.
Iβm not going to sugarcoat it: Moving for a second time REALLY rocked me.
It meant dealing with the stress of packing boxes, updating addresses, and recalibrating my lifeβagain. And for someone like me, who thrives on order and stability, it was tough. More importantly, it meant once more explaining to my kids that weβd be leaving the place theyβd started calling home.
Iβm a believer in turning lemons into lemonade. I knew I couldβand wouldβdo whatever it took to make this new space comforting and a happy place for the boys and me, even if it wasnβt my dream house or had design elements I couldnβt stand.
My mantra became: I might not be able to change everything, but I can change enough to love living here.
So, Here We Are: The Blue Bungalow
My affectionate nickname for this rental, inspired by the color story woven throughout my design choices. Itβs a fine house in a competitive real estate market, but like most rentals, it came with its quirks and its fair share of outdated details.
When you rent, you have to be strategic. I wasnβt going to pour money into a home I donβt own, but I also refused to live in a space that didnβt feel like me. More than anything, I wanted my kids to walk through the door and feel homeβa place that felt warm, inviting, and ours. Not just another temporary stop, but a space that gave them comfort and stability.
That meant getting creative: focusing on high-impact, low-commitment upgrades that made a real visual difference without requiring a contractor (or my landlordβs approval).
βI wanted my kids to walk through the door and feel home β a place that felt warm, inviting, and ours.β
BEFORE
Unchangeable vs Upgradable
the design game plan
Like any rental, there were elements I had to work aroundβfeatures that werenβt ideal but were non-negotiable. Instead of focusing on what I couldnβt change, I honed in on what I couldβsmall upgrades that would make a big impact.
UPGRADABLE
The Wallsβa fresh color story to brighten the space
The Hardwareβsmall swaps for a big aesthetic shift
The Lightingβbecause good lighting changes everything
The Overall Vibeβbringing in design choices that made it ours
UNCHANGEABLE
The Countertops: a warm-toned granite that dictated the color palette
The Backsplash: A backsplash that wasnβt my style but needed a workaround
Dining set: my existing dining table, Serena & Lily chairs, and buffet, which had to stay
Layout and Cabinets: A fixed layout and cabinetryβno knocking down walls here
Instead of fixating on the limitations, I focused on where I could make the most impactβwithout sinking time and money into something I couldnβt take with me when we moved.
My dining set β including the Serena & Lily Riviera chairs and since-discontinued Crate & Barrel table and buffetβ came with us from the last house. These were pieces I already loved and had invested in, so it was important to make them work in the new space.
To make better use of the counter space for my three boys, I added the Serena & Lily Riviera Counter Stools in white with the swivel seat. Like the dining chairs, these stools are sturdy, easy to clean, and hold their value. Honestly, youβll never regret buying the Riviera chair in any style if you have a family β theyβre basically bulletproof. And if you ever decide to switch up your look, someone will snatch them up in a second.
Later, it became clear we needed extra kitchen storage β something clean-looking that wouldnβt compete with the dining set. I turned to my go-to for more temporary furniture needs: IKEA. I added a white BESTΓ unit that felt like it belonged: Itβs simple, affordable, and didnβt fight the design.
The BESTA Ikea Unit.
Serena & Lily Riviera Rattan Swivel Counter Stool
Classic, well made, and easy to clean.
βThat meant getting creative: focusing on high-impact, low-commitment upgrades that made a real visual difference without requiring a contractor (or my landlordβs approval).β
GET THE LOOK
Kitchen & Dining Makeover: The DIY Highlights
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper: A Game Changer
When I first walked into this house, the walls felt flatβmonochrome and lifeless. I needed something to brighten things up, to pull focus away from the warm-tone granite and outdated backsplash. I wanted the eye to focus on the elements I could control.
Enter peel-and-stick wallpaperβa rental-friendly miracle.
Why Peel & Stick?
No glue, no damage, no stress. Perfect for renters.
Adds personality without a long-term commitment.
Removes easily when itβs time to move on.
I chose a soft blue grasscloth from the NuWallpaper x Society Social collaboration for the dining areaβa color that plays off the rest of the house and makes the space feel fresh and layered. Plus, the textured look helped hide any imperfections, which was a major win for a first-time peel-and-stick DIYer.
The transformation? Immediate. The space went from feeling temporary to intentional in a matter of hours.
Society Social Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Foolproof, easy to install, and nobody will know itβs not the real thing. Color: Whisper Blue
Peel & Stick DIY: What You Need
Measuring Tape
Ruler (this really helps with cutting)
Craft or Utility Knife, with extra blades
Plastic Smoothing Tool
Peel & Stick: Tips from the Trenches
Not all peel-and-stick wallpaper is created equal. Different materials and finishes behave very differently during application β and some are far more forgiving than others. Hereβs what I learned:
.01 Know your material.
My faux grasscloth had no pattern to match, which made alignment easy, but it was super thin and tended to stick to itself. Spoonflowerβs thicker paper, on the other hand, was much easier to reposition and apply β and felt more like real wallpaper.
.02 Only peel back a little at a time.
Donβt remove the full backing all at once. Start with just a few inches and gradually peel as you smooth.
.03 Use a proper smoothing tool.
Not your hand. Not a credit card. An actual smoothing tool. Trust me, it makes a difference.
04. If youβre working with a pattern, budget more time.
Lining everything up just right takes patience (and a second set of hands wouldnβt hurt).
.05 Save your scraps.
Youβll need them for patching and touch-ups β or what I like to call "wallpaper surgery."
.06 Cut with care.
For thick wallpaper, I smoothed it into place and used a utility or craft knife (plus a straightedge) to trim at the molding. Blades dull quickly β replace them often.
.07 Order extra.
Especially with custom-printed wallpaper (like Spoonflower). If you need to reorder later, the colors might not match exactly.
pro tip for renters:
While peel-and-stick wonβt destroy your walls like traditional wallpaper, it may pull up a bit of paint when removed. Itβs a minor fix, but worth knowing.
Toolbox
KITCHEN HARDWARE
AFTER
BEFORE
Mehhhhhhh. We can do better.
And yesβI know the hardware isnβt totally straight, but I didnβt drill the original holes!
Upgrading the Hardware
I couldnβt swap the cabinets, but I could update the knobs and pulls. The original silver-tone hardware was an outdated vibe and clashed with the warm countertops, so I swapped them out for sleek, brushed gold pulls that complemented both the countertop and wallpaper.
Super affordable (thank you, Amazon!)
Instantly modernized the space.
Rental-friendly.
TIP: store the old knobs in a labeled bag and swap them back when you move out.
Brushed Brass Drawer Pulls
A luxe upgrade (at an Amazon pricepoint)? YES.
LIGHTING
Lighting: The Game Changer
The original lighting situation? Brutal. The recessed lights were so bright they may as well have been fluorescentβharsh, unflattering, and gave the whole kitchen a clinical, doctor's-office feel. And while there were spaces for pendant lights over the counter, they were empty, leaving the kitchen feeling cold, unfinished, and lacking any visual break between the kitchen and dining area.
At first, I tried to live with it. (Because, as AF Contracting explained, changing recessed lighting isnβt always as simple as swapping a bulb.) But I hated it. Walking into the kitchen at night felt like stepping onto a badly lit stageβway too intense for a space thatβs supposed to feel warm and welcoming.
I swapped out the recessed lighting for a softer, warmer option, instantly transforming the mood of the kitchen. It went from clinical to cozy in one easy change.
I added Mitzi pendants by Meghan Molten over the counter, and when I say they changed everything, I mean it. Not only did they bring a much-needed design element, but they also created a natural division between the kitchen and dining area, making the space feel intentional and complete. And since I can take the pendants with me when we move, it felt like a worthy investment.
Full disclosure: I didnβt DIY this one. I had a contractor handle the electrical workβbecause while I love a good project, rewiring isnβt one Iβm willing to mess with.
Mitzi x Meghan Molten Pendant
Stunner! These pendants really completed, and defined, the kitchen and dining room.
THE DETAILS
PEEL & STICK BACKSPLASH
Peel-and-Stick Backsplash: The Ultimate Kitchen Glow-Up
The existing backsplash wasnβt doing my kitchen any favors. It was the same tone as the granite countertopsβmeaning dark, flat, and uninspired. I love a bright, airy kitchen, and I knew that updating the backsplash would instantly lift the space, making it feel more modern, fresh, and high-endβwithout a permanent commitment.
Enter: Smart Tilesβchic, removable, and shockingly realistic. I chose a large white herringbone peel-and-stick tile to create a crisp, clean look that would brighten the space and add a subtle yet sophisticated pattern.
Iβve tried several other brands of peel and stick tile. Smart Tiles is BY FAR the easiest to work with, because you can take it off and reposition it. Other brands I tried were a much more βstick this on and it is not going anywhereβ type of application. I HIGHLY recommend Smart Tiles, especially if you are doing this without any help.
Smart Tiles Peel & Stick Herringbone Backsplash
The best, and truly simple to reposition or remove.
From Temporary to Intentional
None of these upgrades cost a fortuneβor required permits, special equipment, or a full renovation plan. But every single one helped turn a space that felt like a placeholder into a place that feels like home. Itβs still a rentalβbut now it reflects our style, our needs, and most importantly, us.
You donβt need a forever home to create a space you love. You just need a game plan, a few smart swaps, and the confidence to get started.
Stay tuned for more from the Blue Bungalow seriesβthereβs plenty more to show you!
Love Where You Live. xx Meredith
All photos by the talented Julia DβAgostino