Kitchen Essentials For Renters

Splurge or Save: Kitchen Essentials For Renters

I’ve spent about $500 on my rental kitchen over the years. Not on renovations – we can’t change the dated brown speckled countertops or white builder-grade cabinets.

But on the things that actually matter: cookware, storage, and small upgrades that make cooking easier. Some purchases were worth every dollar.

Others? Storage nightmares I regret. This is my kitchen breakdown – what I splurged on, what I saved on, and what I’m still dreaming about buying.

Total invested: ~$500

Best purchases: Glass containers, wooden utensils, popcorn machine

Biggest regret: Square pots that don’t stack

SPLURGE: What’s Worth the Money

Glass Storage Containers – $100-150 (IKEA & Costco)

I replaced every plastic container we owned with glass. Best kitchen decision I’ve made. Plastic stains. It absorbs smells. It warps in the dishwasher. After years of throwing away containers that looked disgusting, I invested in glass.

What I bought:

• IKEA glass sets (various sizes)
• Costco glass meal prep containers
• Mix of snap-lid and screw-top

Why it’s worth it: Glass doesn’t stain from tomato sauce. It doesn’t smell like last week’s curry. It goes from fridge to microwave to dishwasher without warping.

And it looks cleaner – like you have your life together even when you don’t. **Still happy?** Yes. Years later, they all still look new.

Wooden Utensils – ~$50-75 (HomeSense & Williams Sonoma)

I got rid of every plastic spatula and spoon and replaced them with wood. Plastic melts if you leave it in a hot pan. It scratches non-stick cookware. It looks cheap sitting in a jar on the counter.

Wood feels better in your hand. It doesn’t scratch pans. And it adds warmth to the kitchen – functional and beautiful at the same time.

What I bought:

• Wooden spoons (various sizes)
• Wooden spatulas
• Wooden mixing spoons

Why it’s worth it: They’ve lasted for years. They don’t melt. They look intentional, not accidental.

Popcorn Machine – $98 (West Bend, Amazon)

This one’s pure joy, not necessity. We make popcorn for movie nights, family game nights, and lazy Sundays. The popcorn machine makes it an event instead of a microwave afterthought.

Why it’s worth it: The kids love it. It’s fun. And honestly, homemade popcorn tastes better than microwave bags.

Still using it? Yes. Regular rotation, especially on weekends.

Kitchen Faucet Upgrade – $100 (Costco)

Our rental came with a basic faucet – no sprayer, short neck, hard to maneuver around large pots. I asked the landlord if we could replace it.

She said yes. I bought a Costco faucet with a pull-down sprayer and a longer neck.

What I did:

• Saved the original faucet (stored in the garage)
• Installed new one (easier than expected)
• Will reinstall the original when we move

Why it’s worth it: Washing dishes is easier. Filling large pots doesn’t require awkward angles. The sprayer makes cleanup faster.

Cost per year (so far): ~$10/year over 10 years. Worth it.

SAVE: What’s Not Worth Big Money

Cabinet Hardware Upgrade – $15 (Spray Paint)

The white cabinets came with silver pulls. They felt cold and dated. I didn’t replace them. I spray-painted them matte black.

What I did:

• Removed all pulls
• Spray-painted with matte black ($15 can)
• Reinstalled

Why save here: Same visual impact as buying new hardware ($5-10 per pull x 20+ pulls = $100-200). But for $15 and an afternoon, I got the look I wanted.

Reversible? Yes. When we move, I’ll either leave them (upgrade for landlord) or spray-paint them back to silver.

Dollar Store Storage Solutions – ~$40

I organized the entire kitchen with dollar store finds.

What I bought:

• Portable shelf organizers ($4 each, have ~4)
• Creates two layers in cabinets for dishes and spices
• Tiered wooden spice rack ($4)
• holds 15+ jars across 3 layers
• Bins ($4 each) – extra spices, taco mixes, gravy packets
• Drawer dividers ($8)

Total: ~$40

Why save here: These are hidden inside cabinets. No one sees them. They don’t need to be expensive to work.

Still using them? Yes. Years later, still organizing with the same $4 bins.

Sage Dish Towels & Utensils – ~$30

I rotate dish towels seasonally and replace them when they fade or wear out.

Why save here: They’re temporary. Trends change. Colours fade. I don’t want to spend $20 on a single towel that I’ll toss in a year.

What I buy:

• HomeSense, Winners, TJ Maxx – usually $5-10 for a set of two
• Sage green (current vibe)

Strategy: Buy what I love, use it hard, replace guilt-free.

Everyday Dishes – ~$50 (IKEA & Walmart)

We have three kids. Dishes break. I don’t invest in expensive everyday dishes. We buy simple white or neutral plates and bowls from IKEA and Walmart – $2-5 each.

Why save here: When they break (and they will), I replace them for $2, not $20.

Exception: My grandmother’s dusty rose pink plates and mugs. I keep those safe. They don’t get used daily. They’re for special occasions – or maybe just for looking at and remembering her.

Sage Green Hand Mixer – ~$40

I wanted a pop of colour on the counter without committing to a full set of colourful appliances.

Why save here: Small appliances trends change. Sage might feel dated in five years. I’m not spending $300 on a KitchenAid stand mixer in a trendy colour.

Strategy: Small, affordable, colourful items (hand mixer, utensils, towels). Keep major appliances neutral.

My Biggest Kitchen Mistakes

Square Navy Pots That Don’t Stack – $150 (Kitchenplus)

I bought a set of six navy blue matte pots for Christmas 2025. They’re beautiful – deep navy, modern aesthetic, exactly the look I wanted.

There’s just one problem: they’re square. Square pots don’t nest. They don’t stack. They take up twice the cupboard space as round pots.

Now I’m constantly rearranging to make them fit. Every time I put them away, I regret not thinking about storage before I bought them.

Would I buy them again? No.

What I’d do differently: Choose round pots in the same navy. Beautiful AND practical.

What I learned: Function first, aesthetics second. If it doesn’t fit in your cupboard, it doesn’t matter how pretty it is.

What I’m Dreaming About

Our Place Always Pan & Perfect Pot – $310 (Salmon)

My sister has the salmon-colored Our Place set. Every time I visit, I use her Always Pan. And every time, I think about buying my own.

The colour is stunning – soft terracotta-salmon that feels warm and current without being trendy. It’s the kind of colour that won’t look dated in five years.

But more than the colour, the cookware is incredible. Non-stick that actually works. Handles that stay cool. A design that works for sautéing, steaming, frying, braising – everything in one pan.

The Always Pan: $145 The Perfect Pot: $165 Total: $310

Why haven’t I bought it yet? I’m still using the navy pots I already own. And as much as I love the Our Place set, I can’t justify spending $310 on cookware I don’t need right now. But they’re on my list.

When my current pots wear out, that’s what I’m replacing them with.

Why it’s worth the splurge (eventually):

• Daily use (cook every day)
• Quality (lasts for years)
• Beauty (leave it on the stove, not hidden in a cupboard)
• Function (works for everything)

DUPES: High vs Low

Sometimes you can get the same look for way less money. Here are living room dupes worth considering:

Dupe #1: Glass Storage Containers

High: Container Store glass sets – $40-60 per set

Low: IKEA & Costco glass containers – $15-25 per set

Difference: Brand name, slightly different lid styles

Function: Both store food, both go in dishwasher/microwave

Savings: $25-35 per set. Worth the dupe? YES. Same function, way cheaper.

Dupe #2: Wooden Utensils

High: Williams Sonoma wooden spoon – $18 each

Low: HomeSense/TJ Maxx wooden spoons – $5-8

Difference: Brand

Function: Both stir, both look good, both last

Savings: $10-13 per utensil. Worth the dupe? YES. Mix high and low – splurge on one or two quality pieces, save on the rest.

Dupe #3: Ceramic Non-Stick Pans

High: Our Place Always Pan – $145

Low: GreenPan or similar ceramic pans – $40-60

Difference: Design (Our Place is prettier), brand

Function: Both are ceramic non-stick

Savings: $85-105

Worth the dupe? Maybe. I haven’t tried the cheaper versions yet, so I can’t say if they’re as good. But if you want the function without the price tag, ceramic pans exist at lower price points.

Dupe #4: Tiered Spice Racks

High: Container Store bamboo spice rack – $30-40

Low: Dollarama wooden spice rack – $4

Difference: Material quality (bamboo vs basic wood)

Function: Both hold 15+ spice jars, and both create tiers

Savings: $26-36

Worth the dupe? ABSOLUTELY. It’s hidden in a cupboard. No one sees it. The $4 version works perfectly.

What I’d Do Differently Today

If I were starting over with my kitchen today, here’s what I’d change: Buy round pots instead of square. Function over aesthetics. Storage matters.

Invest in Our Place cookware from the start. Skip the cheap pots that don’t last. Buy quality once.

Keep upgrading with dollar store organizers. They work. They’re cheap. No reason to spend more. Add more colour gradually. I love the Sage hand mixer. Next: a sage kettle or toaster. Small pops of colour without committing to a full, colourful kitchen.

Kitchen Budget Breakdown

SPLURGES:

• Glass containers: $100-150 ✅
• Wooden utensils: $50-75 ✅
• Popcorn machine: $98 ✅
• Kitchen faucet: $100 ✅

SAVES: – Spray-painted pulls: $15 ✅

• Dollar store organizers: $40 ✅
• Dish towels/utensils: $30 ✅
• Everyday dishes: $50 ✅
• Sage hand mixer: $40 ✅

MISTAKES:

• Square navy pots: $150 ❌

TOTAL INVESTED: ~$500-700

BEST INVESTMENTS: Glass containers, wooden utensils, popcorn machine

BIGGEST REGRET: Square pots

Key Takeaways: Kitchen Splurge or Save

SPLURGE ON:

• Quality cookware (once current pots wear out, buy Our Place)
• Glass storage (lasts forever, looks clean)
• Wooden utensils (timeless, functional, beautiful)
• Small joys (popcorn machine – worth it for family fun)

SAVE ON:

• Hidden storage (dollar store bins work great)
• Everyday dishes (kids will break them)
• Cabinet upgrades (spray paint instead of replacing)
• Trendy small appliances (hand mixer, not stand mixer)

DUPE IT:

• Glass containers (IKEA/Costco vs Container Store)
• Wooden utensils (HomeSense vs Williams Sonoma)
• Spice racks (Dollarama vs Container Store)

AVOID:

• Square cookware (storage nightmare)
• Expensive everyday dishes (a waste of money with kids)

Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen?

Use this framework to decide where to invest and where to save.

Next Steps:

• 1. Replace plastic with glass (start with one set)
• 2. Upgrade utensils to wood (feels better, looks better)
• 3. Organize with dollar store finds (cheap and effective)
• 4. Save for quality cookware (Our Place or similar)

Want the complete framework? → Back to Splurge or Save Hub

Browse more room guides:

• → Living Room: Splurge or Save
• → Bedroom: Splurge or Save
• → Bathroom: Splurge or Save
• → Entryway: Splurge or Save
• → Kids Rooms: Splurge or Save

Want more rental decorating solutions? Check out my guide to rental-friendly decor, my post on design trends, and my room divider solutions for shared spaces.

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