Ugly Rental Kitchen Makeover 

I live in an old, very outdated rental house (what this single mom will do for the best school district for her kids!) I literally stopped the video and got up and found a silver piece for my sponges! Now I’m off to get a mirror up (shopping my own stash) and then to shop for a small lamp! Great video!!! Appreciate the “realness”!!!

Mirror was brilliant. Just a perfect shaped frame. Painted counter tops totally elevated the first impression to a solid counter. Personal effects made it feel like home. Loved your fridge work. I once used a granite look (grey speckled) contact paper to cover my almond refrigerator. I faux finished the walls and the cabinets took me months to get just the right finish. No one noticed the laborious detail work only that contact papered refrigerator(painted the handled black and reattached the Kenmore badge. It looked real). And can I just say, THOSE SHOES? Those shoes are totally what you should be wearing hanging out in your rental kitchen. You owned it! The shoes that is. : )

I really love how you deal with real spaces. Rentals are usually not ideal, and it's always a balance between investing in your rental space and really just wasting money. Your tips hit just the right spot, and your style, as usual, is impeccable. Thanks! I now feel invigorated enough to tackle our ugly tiny kitchen :-).

YES! Non over head lighting! I NEVER EVER use over head lighting. I think they are so harsh and cast all the wrong shadows. I have lamps in my kitchen, closets, bathrooms, laundry room...EVERYWHERE. Yay you, yay us

What a beautiful, intelligent and nice woman! It’s great to see a woman with incredible talent who combines that with an excellent taste and elegance! Congratulations!

This video changed my kitchen!!! I just got my mirror over my stove , my rug, plant and I’m going to get floating shelves to make extra space !!

Not sad at all! You're own cozy space! Thanks for the tips! I 💖 your style!!

Your style is amazing!! Kitchen and bathrooms are the HARDEST things to fix in rentals but this is so good. Would love to see how you decorate a rental bathroom too!

I would never have thought about a mirror in a kitchen but that's a great idea, esp for this kitchen..soooo pretty!!! And I love lamps in the kitchen!!

I watch all your organizing and decorating videos. Love them. Gotta say that I liked your kitchen before and after, except for the beige fridge. I love your taste, so personal and cozy.

Mood lighting! Haha I love mood lighting! Love to have it in every room at night. Seeing a small dim light pop out of an open door in the hall at night is awesome

PS: The star of this showplace, is for sure that gorgeous mirror...but tell me you don't regret it for the cleaning of it every time you cook! All your 'stuff' is very awesome. love this.

Loved before & after! I do all these things too, but one thing I haven't is the mirror....LOVE that! But agree EVERY kitchen needs a small lamp.

I absolutely love what you did with your galley kitchen! The mirror above the stove is genius! I love the painted countertops they look like soapstone! Also you inspired me to put some rosemary near the sink! Thanks for the inspiration!! I love your kitchen!!

Great ideas.... and love the red heels!

I commented on the kitchen but those earrings and shoes are so gorgeous!!!

I love that you painted the countertop! 👏🏾 I've got to find away to conceal appliances and stuff that I have on a metal stand because of the lack of cabinet space.

I just now stumbled on this video & will be watching the others. Love the mirror behind the stove for all the right reasons, plus....it's great feng shui. Also love the idea of the little lamp in the kitchen, what a great idea. thank you.

I love what you've done with the kitchen, especially the black countertop. I love white kitchens anyway. Very nice, very reasonable. TFS.

Best best best advice I’ve looked all over RU-vid for a video like this. Thank you!

Very nice. I saw some of my antique coffee cups in your cupboard. I got mine from my grandmother and adore the ivory and platinum. It was fun to see that someone else has them too.

Hahaha ha! "IT'S LIKE PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A PIG!!!" Miss Piggy's eye just bulged out! 😄😅😲I really like your ideas! I would have never seen your kitchen as "UGLY! !!" So warm and cozy and charming! Love it!

I love all of these types of videos, but the main takeaway I have from this one is how much your skin was GLOWING.

The kitchen look great! One caveat: your landlord can keep your damage deposit because you painted the counter surfaces. Seriously. If he hates it, it's damage, ESPECIALLY when you used the wrong paint. If you absolutely cannot live with the counter tops, try covering them with Contact Paper or something similar, that looks good to you, but is easy to remove when you leave.

Before I even finished watching the video, I put down a rug and brought in a little plant. 30 seconds, and the feeling in my teeny tiny kitchen is already ah-mazing! My feet love the feeling of the rug! I have two adorable mirrors I was wondering where they'd go, and they're actually perfect for my kitchen. Wow! Best Video Ever!

I loveeeeee what youve done in your kitchen. Its so tefteshing amd has such character

I got so excited when I saw the title of this video! I have a small apartment kitchen and always looking for a new ideas. So excited I like the video before even watch it! 😄

Love your show..i too live in rental i used contact to redo my tops...as i always use a huge chopping board heats not a prob.looks good and cheap....im happy thanks fir all the great ideas.x

Mirrors can really transform a room, a small bathroom (specifically with no windows) really works, glaziers give away mirrors, just go in and ask if they have any left over glass, bring it home and get creative. Cabinets with mirrors on them work well too

LOVE THIS! Exactly what I do! I have a similar runner in my kitchen. Use small boxes for storage. Ugh! Perfect!

Mary, another awesome video. I love how you take simple things and use them to change a look or make them dual purpose. These tips are not just for rental, I'm not a renter and find this video very useful, thanks. You are so beautiful and pretty, it shows in your work!!

I love the idea of hiding your vitamins in an ice bucket. That's a great idea. Looks good and practical. I'm gonna do that!! I have my dog treats on the counter in a glass canning jar with a chalk board label. :) (the dogs know exactly when I touch that thing!! and then they don't come inside when I call them!! dogs with selective hearing!! haha your Kitchen looks great!!

I love it all! You did an excellent job & I love your smart tips to cozy it up a bit. I really enjoyed the trays, light, and plant tips! I’m gonna try em - thank you!

My dad's rental, has yellow and gray tile counters, old laminate flooring and needs to be painted. You've given me some great ideas.

I'm a renter and RU-vid needs this!!! TY

I love your style. It's so you...unique in every way.

Love the tray with the flowers. Have a blessed day.

Amazing you have inspired me to tinkle and change some things in my boring kitchen. Thank you. Love your work x

Omg!! You are my kitchen spirit animal!! LOL....I have done most of these ideas im my own galley kitchen. I'm lucky to have 3 BIG windows and I've actually developed a bit of a green thumb(after a lot of fails lol) and have a lovely little indoor garden. I don't cook much but I have a nice amount of wall space so i use the kitchen almost as an art gallery and to show off my tea mug collection. I, too, changed out the cabinet handles and hung little ornaments from them for color and personality. It may not be your ideal kitchen, but from my POV, what you have done to yours is beautiful and so charming....

We totally agree with you about a lamp in the kitchen...you are right! There is just something about it!

Oh my gosh, LOVE YOUR CHANNEL! What great ideas, and how CUTE are YOU! I'm a mom of 6 and dont have a rental, but need ideas for changing up things! Look forward to checking out your videos!

You are my favorite You Tuber! Creative, funny, and well spoken! I always look forward to your next video!

Honestly, your kitchen looks so cute! Loved this video!

Love love love love your videos!!!

so very lovely..including the stool and your use of it. Another option: use a mirror as tall as the present one, twice as wide, and with beveled edges and pick-up on the horizontal axis the effect of which widens the kitchen.

Mary Elisabeth! you are so inspiring! i love your style, your videos, your tips and tricks on decoration and life! I m always so happy everytime I see the notification that a new video of yours is uploaded! I know I will spend a beautiful useful moment watching you! keep going! you are doing a great job and thank you for the efforts that it takes to make such a good quality work! love you, hug you! looking forward your next video! ;) ciao Mary Elizabeth! !! :*

Love your kitchen update, I need to update my counter top in my cottage and thanks to you I know what I’m going to do.😀 Love your videos and love your style❤️.

Fantastic job on the kitchen! Love the jane Fonda poster and you are funny and adorable!

The mirror looks nice but it will get dirty and greasy when cooking

I liked the counter tops a lot more before as they made the kitchen seem bigger and brighter - but, of course we should go with what we like. I also liked the old door knobs more, they added some nice character. Otherwise I did like the changes, especially the decorations!

This makeover goals

Simple, inexpensive changes made this rental feel like a home, KUDOS!

I contact papered my fridge with a bold print. Love this kitchen! The mirror is brilliant in the galley kitchen. Love the silver too.

I love the black countertops! Also you!

I hope you are feeling better love you and your channel

Best video I've seen in long time. Love your personality for not being like everyone else. A nod to the Jane Fonda picture. ✊

Super great ideas. Love all this!

OMG! We could be twins! My kitchen has everything you mentioned. . . everything. We have an eat in rental kitchen. In addition to your list, we put under the cabinet halogens, beautiful and better to work with. We hung some nice art and pulled in an electric fireplace to be a coffee bar. We hung a ticking wall clock for additional ambience. I do like to trade out linens, candles and scented soaps during the seasons. Thanks for affirming that one more over the top decorator is out there. ❤️

I wish you upload more :( LOVE those videos!

M.E.--- I continue to be a fan...of you and your style! I'm inspired!!!

Just stumbled across this video on the home page, and I totally love your personality!! New subscriber! 😃👍🏻 (the kitchen makeover was pretty excellent too!)

yOUR IDEAS ARE ALWAYS SO AMAZING!

I like that wooden counter!!

That's my kitchen, you did a nice job!!

Ugh I loveee it!!!😍 You are amazing! And your style is so different and interesting I just love it!!!😍

fabulous video and great fun! lots of ideas...thx

Some good ideas. I want that pink plant.

I love it, Mary Elizabeth. I want your mirror, and think it (along with your silver) is an awesome touch in the kitchen.

Gorgeous..love your ideas!

I love the results

Lol @ painting lipstick on a pig. Never would have thought to put a mirror over the stove. You did a good job.

Love the ideas and love your earrings!

Girl me and you have some of the same ideas especially with the little lamp,can't stand the white overhead lighting!! I have a dated kitchen too and I'm trying to make it look more cozy also. Thanks for the video.

Thank you, I really enjoy watching your interior decorating videos please keep them coming 😄

So happy to see you and your kitchen looking great! I love all the elements you used to make it feel cozy. My kitchen is terrible and there's nothing I can do about the horrendous tile and cabinetry because it's a rental and my landlords are very strict about not changing a thing. I put a random narrow table against the bigger wall and put cute trinkets on it to distract from the overall ugliness. I put my favorite things on it and it changed the whole thing for me. I have the cutest light pink ceramic garden gnome flower vase and a beautiful ceramic retro/cute pony cinnamon shaker (I'm sure it was intended for salt or pepper but YOLO) and a few other cute things. I hope someday I'll be able to have a home of my own and make it look cute and feel cozy like yours. Love love love youuuuu ❤️✨

I have to tell you- you are my design icon. I think you’re brilliant! I love your aesthetic and love when you share your little hot tips!!

Omg yay! I know you have a life but please upload more! We love you!

Liked this 7 seconds in because of your down to earth intro😄 New subscriber here!

I even loved the look of the old kitchen, but I absolutetly adore the new one. Mary, your make overs are always spectacular. My favorite parts of the new kitchen are the counter tops, the litte cute buddahs, the lamp and the stool. The following has nothing to do with the video, but Mary I have to tell you that I'm so in love with your style! You are so chic and your fashion, as your living space, reflects your personality perfect. You always look glamorous but never overdone. And your body type is so feminine and elegant, too: body goals.

Hi Mary Elizabeth! I love your decorating ideas, the kitchen is adorable!

Her Kitchen Tips: - repaint your fridge w/ Appliance paint - Hang a large mirror somewhere - put a long woven runner rug in it (non-kitchen style) - Put new hardware on cabinets/drawers - Take cupboard doors off - Antique/vintage dishes for soap, vases, urns, porcelain box for tea etc. - Small statue - Potted plants - Some type of seating, like a stool - Put a small lamp on the counter / non-over headed lighting - Consider painting your laminate countertops (oil-based paint)

I love you always and forever gurl. Gotta say I am not a fan of the counters but it looks good overall. I wish you had a heart vine where the flower pot is going up over the window. So cute tho!

I absolutely love your videos! Keep up the good work

A-MAZING job. So cute with all the trinkets, good advice on hiding all the little things ON the counter (I've just been putting them in the cupboards and I've installed some metal shelving but this is a more personalized touch) and I love the non-overhead lighting. Personally, I have two of those basic black with the frosted plastic upside-down shade Ikea floor lamps because the fluorescent ceiling light (um, who's bright idea was that?) is so so awful and doesn't even have a cover. Bad mood lighting. My cabinets aren't even white, they're this old darkish milk chocolate wood with some sort of protection painted on it that I think is yellowing. I wish you could see my awful kitchen. It's on Airbnb so many people can see it but wish they couldn't. I'm going to paint those white and keep the original fancy bronzy leafy hardware before I do the counters.. Thank you for sharing about the countertop, that was just the info I was looking for. My countertops are like old faded pink marble which sounds cute now that I've typed it out but they are so worn out and have chips on the edges and missing pieces... They need an overhaul. I've been in my place for nearly 6 years, and I think that is nearly 6 times longer than anyone else I know has lived in the same place without being renovicted so I am feeling pretty lucky despite the place falling apart. I think I can save it! My landlord really doesn't care if I do things to my place because anything is better than the way I moved in. It's time I stop looking at my kitchen like "Hmm, am I going to move soon? Should I even bother?" and just finally do it. :o Best advice, though, is the mirror above the stove. I have three large windows in the kitchen which sort of annoys me because there is literally no wall space but it is great for natural light, the only catch is that the only place without anything happening is above the stove (that's where the disheveled spice rack is). Thanks so much!

Omg i love the Jane Fonda mugshot

THANK YOU for saying No to the overhead lighting. I'm in the process of putting in a new kitchen and my big dilemma is the lighting. Now I feel free to not do the over heads. I'm settled on just doing under cabinet task lighting, I already have and love little lamps. So thank you, thank you, thank you!!! :) also.... Love the shoes!

Just love it!! U r app creative!!

Love the attitude of gratitude note to self on the fridge. I'm so happy and grateful that you got your new home ;)

I personally preferred the gold door knobs. I think the white looks cheaper. Nice renovation though. I had a kitchen like this once. Love the tiny lamp 👍

Oh I love it!! We’re in a rental as well and have been wondering what to do with it. So happy to see a new video from you 😊

Love it! Loved the rug!

I mean... This is just SO good.

Lovely ideas. So personal and homely x

lmao...I LOVE your realistic commentary of how you felt about this kitchen...lol. The ONLY vid I've ever seen where someone told it like it is...I also like the black counters. I WISH I could paint mine. I own the house, but the counters were here when I bought it--soapstone blah ugly beige counters...HATE them. Just do not have the $ to replace them, so trying to find a way to work with it.

I cannot tell you how many times I've watched this video. I LOVE it! I am trying to incorporate some of these ideas in my kitchen. Number one - THE MIRROR! It blew my mind! Amazing! Thank you so much! Please would you consider doing another video like this - maybe a little series! Extreme budget makeovers using thrifted finds only - under $300! Thank you!

Looks fantastic

Look into sealing the countertop with epoxy. There’s also special countertop epoxy. But if you can’t afford that buy the epoxy on amazon or hobby lobby or wherever. You do have to tape and seal the bottom cabinets off. Use plastic drip clothes. It’ll make it look black stone but shiny. Good job 👏🏽

You’re channel is so great. This video was inspiring for sure

I like the placement of your mirror and all the rest of your additionals like the floor rug.

So cozy