#5 Easy Ways to Light Up a Rental Kitchen

Poor lighting is a common problem in rental kitchens. Maybe it's a sad overhead fixture that barely gives off enough light to tie your shoes, let alone cook a meal, or dim corners that swallow up whatever gets shoved into them. So what's a renter to do? With little option (and motivation, likely) to make any permanent changes, many renters just learn to live with a dark kitchen. But there's a better way — in fact, there are five. Here are a few ideas to help you light up your rental kitchen:

3. Buy a few battery operated stick-on lights: Last Fall Anne bought a pack of Stick 'N Click lights for her pantry, which she says was "one of the best things [she] did." Battery-operated puck lights like these are often cheap and don't require any hardwiring. Put a few in a dim cupboard or pantry, or any place where you'd like a little more light.

5. Place a table lamp on the counter: If all else fails, consider the humble table lamp. It's an untraditional choice for the kitchen, yes, but a small, cheap table lamp with a bright bulb can solve a myriad of lighting problems, especially in the interim.