New Year New Room Refresh: Global Eclectic Rental Kitchen Makeover
A botanical print, copper and wood tones, and a colorful rug gives a rental kitchen makeover a global eclectic vibe.
Hello, hello! What a month. I’m so pleased with the progress we’ve made in our new Japanese rental home. A huge thanks to the challenges I participated in this month.
We are a military family living overseas and after being stationed in beautiful Okinawa, Japan we get to experience mainland Japan in Ikuwani.
Last week, I shared the $100 room makeover featuring our global eclectic master bedroom, and today it’s time for the New Year, New Room Refresh Reveal hosted by Casa Watkins Living.
A Global Eclectic Rental Kitchen Makeover

week 1 | week 2 | week 3 | week 4
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First, let’s revisit the inspiration board.

The space is very small but I managed to squeeze in enough elements to get the global eclectic style I was after. Looking at the before and afters, I’m kind of shocked what the difference between the few changes made!


I wanted to break up the dull tile and cabinets with warm wood tones, copper, and a fun botanical print. I used many of the same copper accents in our last kitchen, like chalkboard and copper seasoning jars and DIY Ikea glass canisters.

We were lucky to find a wood kitchen cart at the local thrift store. I changed the wood knob to a brass pull and hung a pineapple print from Minted. Command strips are working so far on the tile so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Here’s a close-up of our fish oven. It’s very common in traditional Japanese homes. I have yet, however, cooked fish in it. The black countertop oven to the right is what I bake in. A full-size casserole dish fits in it, so I’m happy. 🙂

Having the kitchen cart and pots and pans rack really helped open up countertop space and create more storage.


When we first walked through this house, I knew immediately that I wanted a bold wallpaper in this space. The kitchen is so dark but opens up to a bright living area. Thanks to a gorgeous peel and stick option, I was able to achieve the look I was going for!


It feels much more cohesive now. Especially with plants carrying the green hues throughout the house! I can’t wait to show you a complete tour of this floor. It’s super cute! A little boho and definitely global eclectic.

Here’s the view, looking out into the piano studio/living area from the kitchen sink.

The only thing on the to-do list I wasn’t able to complete was to replace the cabinet hardware with repurposed copper hardware from our last rental kitchen. Unfortunately, the size was too small.

If you love the vibe in this small space, you can achieve a similar look with this shopping guide.

- kitchen bar cart | 2. copper pulls | 3. IKEA rail | 4. copper pots and pans | 5. bohemian pink rug | 6. herb garden removable wallpaper | 7. gripperwood cutting board
Please join me in visiting all the other amazing reveals of these talented bloggers! I can’t wait!

Casa Watkins Living // A Designer At Home // Bigger Than The Three Of Us // Domicile 37 // Fresh Crush // Iris Nacole // Monica Wants It // Pocketful of Posies // Seeking Lavender Lane // Sharon Joyce Interiors // This Is Our Bliss // Up To Date Interiors // Vintage Romance Style
A huge thanks to these sponsors for helping us achieve our to-do lists for this challenge!

Join me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes, DIYs, decorating tips, room tours, and home inspiration. I’ll see you over there!

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omg that is a small kitchen. I will never ever ever complain about the size of my small kitchen ever again.
I love who your brightened it up and added some small touches that really make a difference. Way to go!
lol Thanks Ariel!
Amazing Kathy!!!! I’m blown away with your ability to transform this small space and make it look so much larger and definitely more stylish! Beautiful transformation and I’m loving the way the backsplash/wall pops next to the new wallpaper!
Thanks Steph! I can’t believe my kitchen is actually cute now. lol
I am loving the vibe of this kitchen and I bet your family is thrilled to have the kitchen in order. I also like the wooden elements. So good!
Thanks Jess! I really like the wood too. The family likes it as long as it’s just one of us in there at a time. lol
So. Much. Style! You totally worked it, and I’m still loving that paper!! Looks great!
Aw! Thanks Jen!
loving that paper so much and i love how you’ve made this your own!
Thanks Cassie! It’s starting to feel like home.
This is so pretty Kathy! I’m loving those copper pans and that area rug! Just love the style that you added to this space.
Thank you Deb!
The wallpaper is gorgeous and does a great job brightening up the space. I love the hanging pots and how much pattern the rug adds to the kitchen. Very pretty!
Thank you Sharon!
The wallpaper looks great, as does the copper pots hanging. Everything looks amazing.
Thank you so much! Come see us!
The wallpaper gives life to the space and I adore seeing it come through from your living area. Love the refresh girl!
Thanks Ashley! It looks so cool from the living room. Can’t wait to share all of it. Almost done. 😉
Seriously Kathy, you are hands down amazing! It doesn’t even look like the same place, and heck if you ever move, I’m thinking they will want you to leave everything as is, it’s so great!
I hope so! I wanted to cry when I removed the floral paper from our last kitchen cabinets. lol Thanks for the sweet words.
You are ah-mazing!! AND tackling 2 spaces this month..I give you such an incredible amount of props!! Your kitchen is stunningly beautiful. Your paper was made for a home like yours and the copper pans and pineapple print also stole my heart! Lovely, lovely job, Kathy!
Thank you so much Rachael! That put a big grin on my face this morning. xoxo
Can you do this to my kitchen!?!?!?!?!?!?There’s just so much awesome here I can’t hardly contain myself. I really love it. I truly do. You are a rental kitchen magician!
AW! Thanks! You can have it. With the little fish oven. 🙂
It’s beautiful! All the color you added makes such a huge difference. I love posts like this because you show people that a small space can be pretty and functional!
Thank you so much Sara!! What a sweet comment. I needed that!
Looks amazing. Thanks for sharing Kathy.
Thank you!