Before and after rental makeovers

Small kitchen? No problem! These 11 before and after remodels show that size doesn't matter when it comes to designing a kitchen you love.

Bathroom renovations can be tricky since you’re working with plumbing and large fixtures, and money is often of the essence. Some of these bathroom makeovers involved significant renovations, while others show you the power of some paint and basic accessories. Whether you’re sprucing up a rental or gutting your space, you can find some inspiration from these ten go-getters.

The kitchen is so dramatically different!

Perhaps the next best thing to your landlord offering to fix up your rental bathroom (which rarely happens), is your landlord granting their blessing for you to fix it up yourself. Justyna was thrilled to get the green light from her landlord to make some bathroom improvements and she got straight to work. See what she accomplished on a small budget in this small rental: From Justyna: This summer I decided I couldn’t live with my rental bathroom any longer.

A renter overhauls a builder-grade kitchen (with her landlord's approval) with a clever paint job and on-trend styling.

Decorating and renovating a home nearly always comes with challenges — but that’s especially true if you’re working within a small space. Perhaps a couch is too big and a rug is too small, or a wall cuts right in the middle of where a coffee table should be. Sometimes it feels like small spaces don’t come with easy solutions.

Richard added so much personality and warmth to his rental, it’s kind of astounding. The totally fine but pretty sterile space was full of the standard rental woes; outdated overhead lighting, bland cabinets and a kitchen floor that has seen better days. With a mix of gifts, Craigslist and new purchases, Richard turned the bland apartment into a welcoming and charming home.

I have been living in my home for almost 5 months now and I was finally motivated to spruce up my shared bathroom. When I first moved into this rental with my b…

Orangey wood cabinets, beige walls, and basic laminate countertops are each hallmarks of a rental kitchen. And if you have all three, like Toronto-based renter Megan, that’s basically the jackpot. So it’s no wonder Megan called on home decor YouTuber Alexandra Gater (@alexandragater) for help in adding a little life to her cook space.

It can be difficult as a renter to make big changes in a kitchen, but it’s not completely impossible. Take this kitchen transformation with funky renter-friendly checkerboard floors, for instance, or this one that completely changes the look of the cabinets and counters but can be easily undone when it’s time to move out.

My rental kitchen renovation before and after

No remodeling, no renovation, no repainting, and no replacing. Still, a major transformation.

Spending money on a rental isn't for everyone — but if you love to cook, have a horrible kitchen, and plan to stay put for a while, then a little investment may well be worth it.

No remodeling, no renovation, no repainting, and no replacing. Still, a major transformation.

It’s so organized, too.

We dedicate this to all the easygoing landlords out there the world.

You probably didn't think you'd be able to do these things in a rental (without jeopardizing your security deposit), but you just might be able to!

This vintage bathroom had a color scheme its renters described as "lentil yellow and seafoam green."

It can be difficult as a renter to make big changes in a kitchen, but it’s not completely impossible. Take this kitchen transformation with funky renter-friendly checkerboard floors, for instance, or this one that completely changes the look of the cabinets and counters but can be easily undone when it’s time to move out.

Proof that a small budget can make a big impact.