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If you’re interested in seeing how I took my builder’s grade rental kitchen and transformed it using 100% removable materials, check out Parts 1, 2, & 3 here! I go through the step by step process of covering my cabinets, countertop, and backsplash!
cabinet update
My cabinets have been the best so far, and it’s fantastic. Every day I look at it and remember what it used to be and take about 2 seconds to appreciate it, as temporary and as vinyl-covered as it may be. When using the cabinet doors, I do try to to be a bit gentle on the edge so that I don’t pull it back over time, but this has not happened yet. I’ve had to rub my fingers over the edges of some of the cabinet doors to make sure that the paper stays tightly against the grooves, but again, it’s nothing that you would notice unless you were looking for it.
countertop update
The countertop is holding up well also. I have noticed that water doesn’t affect it at all, which is great because I have a horrible habit of washing all of my dishes at once and putting wet ones directly on the counter. Speaking of dishes, I have a folding dish rack from Ikea that is pretty great in terms of smart space usage in my micro-kitchen. The downside of it is that once the dishes are dry the drip pan has water in it. Since it’s attached pretty solidly to the rack, there is always inevitably some water left in it as I flip it up to go back behind the sink. This water always drips down along the wall and onto the counter, but does not get behind the countertop covering which is a huge relief! As I mentioned in Post 2, I make sure to use trivets rather than putting hot pans on the countertop, and let warm pots and pans cool on the stove itself to minimize the chance of burning through it. The only issue I have is the one damaged corner that I’ve needed to glue since I first “installed” it.
backsplash update
The backsplash has held up best of all. Maybe its because I’m not running my hands over it all day, who knows (I do. It’s because I’m not running my hands over it all day). I wipe it down with a damp cloth when needed, but even behind the stove there’s been no issue with it detaching or bubbling away from the wall.
final thoughts
It’s been a fantastic choice in material for my budget rental renovation and I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a cheap way to update your temporary home! It’s inexpensive, easy enough to install, and is security-deposit friendly!
Have you done your own temporary remodel? Let me know how it’s holding up in the comments!
