Here's a great example of what people tend to do when they don't know what to do:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/bathroom/sharons-bathroom-before-after-good-question-revisited-120622

Like Sharon (in the before photos), they load up with a bunch of mismatched junk because they don't think it matters. So you're not alone. "It's just a rental, and I hate it, I can't change anything anyway, so why waste money trying to fix it up?" You see some of these rental kitchens (or bathrooms) and they look like crap because people just give up.

But it doesn't have to be that way! First of all, keep your counters and surfaces free of stuff that doesn't belong. There's nothing worse than ugly visual clutter. It can really make you hate your room. Too many unwanted colors and textures only make matters worse. Instead, choose a "theme" and stick to it. If you like "rustic," add some baskets and a cute little vintage painting propped against the backsplash. If you're into MCM minimalism, stick to a few sleek accessories. But don't stray! Don't clutter up with mismatched dish towels, and old pot holders, and an ugly cookie jar, and a hand-me-down rusty tea kettle, and a stack of mail.....

It's sort of like decorating a plain sofa with beautiful throw pillows. You're decorating a plain kitchen with beautiful (and hopefully useful) accessories.

Good luck!

a few easy things:

(1) change knobs on drawers and cabinets
(2) change the faucet (keep the old one so you can change it back before you move out)
(3) use anything you like that screws into the wall - we added a few wall shelves and a magnetic knife holder - you can just remove them and fill in the holes when you leave
(4) hang art. or try wall decals - they can generally be removed without totally ruining the wall.

You can always change out hardware, just keep the old stuff and put it back before you move (that's what I'm doing. I painted, too, with plans to paint back before I move).

You could create a backspash with a sheet of copper or another metal fastened using those 3M velcro-y picture hanger things. Since it would be resting on the counter, you probably wouldn't need many of them.

If there's room, a side table of some sort in the kitchen helps. I have one to give me more counter space but also make the kitchen more "me." It's got some decorative stuff on it, too.

Plants. If you can find space, plants look great. I used those same 3M things to stick jars on the wall and put air plants in them. There's lemongrass growing in a jar above the sink and ferns on the bookcase in the dining room (that is really an extention of my kitchen). You might be able to stick small terra cotta pots up for herbs with those strips, too, but I'd test it first.

Art on the walls is a big help, too, even if it's just a small thing.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your comments and the photos/information! These have been so helpful thus far.

I'm also battling a fiance that likes a ton of random things that don't match. Must get him in the "theme" mindset and stick to a common look or color.

Looking forward to more comments/suggestions!

- Katie

Here are a few photos of the kitchen I'm referring to, this was right after we moved in and hadn't a clue what to do with it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nudista/2882786137/in/set-72157607455338418/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nudista/2883622280/in/set-72157607455338418/

I know what you're feeling!

Open shelving is a good landlord-friendly solution. You put a few nail holes in the wall, but they can always be spackled. I did this and was able to use my pretty plates, glasses and a few attractive baubles on the wall as "decoration." It took up an entire wall!

See here: http://rosemaryonthetv.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/my-new-place/

I put in my own kitchen backsplash made of fabric vinyl, and then you just nail it to the wall (you'll need to spackle the holes if you move...). It adds some color.

I put my How-To Renter's Fabric Backsplash on my blog, here.

We moved into a town house in a fantastic location, that was huge and affordable, but had an awful kitchen- mismatched appliances (we had black, stainless and black, white, and almond), 1980's faux-wood melamine cabinets and counters, drop ceiling, and high gloss vinyl tile floors. Ick.

We re-covered our floors with this product: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=BP_Trafficmaster_Allure&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&navFlow=3&searchRedirect=allure&locStoreNum=256&marketID=4

It is a super-thin, flexible, pre-backed laminate. There is no glue or special tools (other than a utility knife and straight edge) needed. My husband and I did the kitchen in about an hour and a half (we had some specialty cuts), and I did our front hall in about 45 minutes. To do both it cost around $100.

We also used stainless steel colored contact paper on our range hood and fridge to tie the appliances together.

We have a big community, and when neighbors or workers (like the exterminator or maintenance person) come in, they frequently ask who we had to bribe to get those upgrades- they are always shocked when we show them that it's just a temporary cosmetic band-aid!

i'd like to throw in a big "ditto" to the wall decal suggestion--that's what we did in our apartment and it made a huge difference; it's way friendlier and more fun now. having looked at your pictures i might also suggest putting some small potted plants or some infrequently used, but pretty bowls, glasses or other kitchen goods on what looks like a shelf over the wall over the counter space (does that make sense?).

My kitchen looks exactly the same! I am thinking about ask the owner if I can paint the cabinets and then the kitchen and maybe change the hardware? Have you come up with any great ideas?