Cost of a DIY Renter-Friendly Kitchen Revamp: Receipts

Welcome to Show the Receipts, a series where we ask interesting people to share exactly how much it costs to get shit done. No matter the task, we’re tracking every last dollar from start to finish. Up next: a DIY kitchen revamp.

Revamping your kitchen as a renter can feel tedious, especially when considering cost, potential damage to the property, and creating a realistic plan.

When I first moved into my one-bedroom apartment in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, I was thrilled with the space but eager to modernize the dated kitchen. The ’60s linoleum floors and barn-style latches on the cabinets left much to be desired, not to mention the old white refrigerator glaring at me. They say the kitchen is the heart of any home, and I found this true; as I tweaked my kitchen, it infused my entire apartment with a sense of joy and livability.

I’m not the only one dipping my toes into the DIY home space recently: DIY projects in home spaces have grown exponentially over the last several years. In 2020, the National Association of Realtors estimated that Americans spent an average of $420 billion on home renovations, with 22 percent of those projects completed by homeowners to help manage costs.

This year, a report published by Houzz highlighted that the kitchen is a top space for upgrades among home dwellers. However, many reported challenges with staying on budget, with 39 percent citing rising costs of materials and products as a significant issue during renovations.

I faced several issues in working around my budget of revamping my kitchen for under $1,000. I felt I had to downsize my initial big scale plans to settle for something cost-effective and easy to accomplish with my little to no remodeling skills.

Task: Kitchen Makeover
Occupation: Freelance Writer
Location: Chicago
Timeline: 2 months

The Receipts

Custom kitchen mat: $441
New spice organizer: $40
Pan rack: $51
Fridge decal: $100
New cabinet knobs: $225
Total: $857

How I Did It

Where I Splurged

For several weeks, I pondered how to change the floor in my kitchen. Unfortunately, I couldn’t ask my landlord to retile my floor, as the linoleum tiles in place were created before the ’80s and likely contained asbestos. Removing them would cost thousands and pose a health risk. I briefly considered temporary floor tiles but quickly learned they aren’t practical or durable for high-traffic areas or places exposed to water.

Ultimately, I found a reasonable solution: V-mat’s Kitchen Floor Mat ($400) in a custom size. To ensure the perfect fit, I measured my kitchen floor with a measuring stick, which came to 83 inches long and 45 inches wide. I chose a stylish chevron marble-style mat with durable, water-resistant vinyl that’s easy to clean. This quick fix transformed my kitchen, covering the floor entirely without damaging the underlying surface — which was one of my main concerns.

An Affordable Tweak With Major Impact

Overhauling your organization can significantly refresh the look of any space in your home. I spruced up my spice organization by incorporating a sleek silver pan rack. Instead of having my spices haphazardly strewn around the microwave, I now have them neatly arranged in Umbra’s Bellwood Lazy Susan Countertop Spice Rack ($40).

To complement this, I found a much-needed pan rack organizer on Amazon, like this one. The two-tier pot rack features 10 hanging hooks, perfect for holding a variety of pots and pans. For just $51, it adds a seamless, modern appeal to my kitchen. Although the installation required some drilling into the wall, it can easily be patched up with wall putty.

Look For Creative Solutions

My plain white refrigerator humbled the overall look of my kitchen, so to elevate its appearance without replacing it, I searched for creative solutions. Although the options were limited, I eventually found an Etsy shop offering stylish refrigerator decals. My eyes locked on the design of Gold Ginkgo Leaves ($65-$242), knowing it would completely revitalize the exterior.

However, applying the decal was a bit tricky — I had to trim some of the vinyl to fit my fridge perfectly. Since the decals are essentially large stickers, I was careful to avoid air bubbles by smoothing each section down slowly with my hand as I applied it.

Trust Your Inner Handyperson

The most complex task I undertook for this mini kitchen revamp, replacing the horrendous barn-style latches with new knobs transformed my kitchen to a whole new level. I mixed luxe knobs from Emtek with budget-friendly ones from Amazon. For my pull-out cabinet drawers, I used Emtek’s Knurled Cabinet Pulls in Flat Black ($25 per pull, four total). For the upper cabinets, I chose Emtek’s Cadet Cabinet Knobs in 1 ¾ inches ($10 each, 10 total) also in Flat Black. Lastly, I installed Ravinte Cabinet Pulls ($21) from Amazon on the bottom cabinets. For installation, I used a cordless drill set and ordered Dewalt’s 3/16-Inch Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bits ($4) to install each of the knobs.

Final Thoughts

Revamping this space to fall within my budget and remain as renter-friendly as possible was certainly a challenge. There were so many things I wanted to add, but I worried they wouldn’t turn out right or would cost me down the line when it came time to move out. I learned that you shouldn’t feel pressured to create a “perfect” home or one that looks unattainable for where you are in life right now. Instead, focus on making small, impactful changes that help to enhance the spirit and vibe of the place you call home.

Jada Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance journalist focused on fashion, beauty, identity, and culture. She is passionate about covering stories that showcase Black creatives and the Black experience through a global lens. Her work can be found in outlets such as Vogue Business, Allure, Teen Vogue, the South China Morning Post, and more.