Remodeling my rented unit, on a very tight budget want to update countertops, cabinets and stove?

Question

i am renting my apartment for a real cheap rent by los angeles standards, the owner doesnt want to change anything in my unit for that reason i believe, even though he updates the other units, anyway i want to give my kitchen and bathroom countertops they are a ugly linolium. i used that cheap marble looking contact paper but it is finally giving up on me. what is the best way to give this a new look for cheap? also my stove and oven are really dingy, 2 years ago i painted it with that spray paint for high temperature things but i used white over a brown stove and now the paint is chipping and even turning brown from everyday use, im sure it has burned the paint. last i want to redo my cabinets, they are painted with white water based paint i want to redo and maybe paint or stain. what are the best cheapest ways to redo my rental? i dont want to put to much money in since i rent.... oh i went on a site that gives details on how to give countertops a marble look are this good looking?

Answer 1

I know this won't be the answer you're looking for, but wouldn't it make more sense to try and find a cheap, used stove somewhere instead of repainting it again and again with S****y results?  Ask around friends and family and ask them to ask others as well... I'm sure you can find something for just a bunch of bucks.

As for the counter tops... try to take everything off first.... the contact paper, old color... just everything and sand it to smooth the surface.  Then go to a hardware store and let them help you out there, so you can look at the products and see what might work best for you while you have someone you can directly ask.

I don't know about LA,  but where I live, they sometimes have "leftover" counter tops dirt cheap at hardware stores.  I got mine for about $30.  I'm sure that would make more sense than investing in expensive foil or paint.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I agree with "whosafishy" look on craigslist or your local freecycle.org. There are some great stoves that are free and in working condition.

Answer 3

Both 1 & 2 offer valid suggestions.

   I'll assume your landlord will be OK with what you intend?

  Obviously if the stove works, and since you painted it, he hardly has any responsibility to replace it, but you might ask if you can, and buy a decent used one.

  The formica suggestion is a good one, but would require removal of everything else, and then you'd be best to do the job with a router.

  You might FIX the look of the cabinets with an opaque varnish stain, but an appliance enamel might be easier and offer success.

  I'll assume that this CHEAP rent has to do with your budget, and some of what you might want, will impact your budget as well.

  To Marbelize countertops with paint, can work, but it's not anything I'd suggest, given the abuse a counter top endures, and the fact that it's a food prep surface.

  We don't know if you have tools, or the skills to re-do a counter top, or the resources to replace the stove. If I was your landlord, I'd probably want you to pay for most of what you suggest, and I have to assume that if the stove was non functional, THEN the landlord would be obligated, but not so after a paint job.

Just my two "sense"

Answer 4

The cheapest way to redress your countertop is to use formica. It comes in different colors and imitation stone patterns. For the cabinet face, spray paint over the current finish, you may have to sand the surface if not smooth. As for your stove, you'll need to sand off the old paint and make it smooth again then repaint the stove with high temp paint with a brush to put on a thicker coat. Then when it's dry, use a fine sandpaper to make it smooth then use a high temp spray paint to give it a smooth glossy finish.