Monster refrigerators are a waste of energy and money. When you talk about a free standing one, what do you mean? Will you replace the one there? Is it in the way or not working? Built ins usually have to be incorporated in a plan as they have certain space needs and usually start at about $6,000 -- is my experience.

It's pretty hard to understand the fridge area from that photo. Can you take another one facing it with door closed? It's not clear exactly what the problem is.

May I suggest a 30" wide, counter depth refrigerator with side panels holding up a refrigerator depth cabinet above it? This would give you more room, more storage, and serve to make the refrigerator look like an integral part of the kitchen. It might be difficult to exactly match the stained plywood cabinet doors, though...

I can paint the cabinets — they’re ok with that.

The fridge is just hanging out by itself in the middle of the kitchen. I will purchase a new fridge, but would love to figure out how to incorporate it into this current kitchen design. What to do with these old looking cabinets? What/ would you paint them?

Where's the oven?

This is another view.

Ok. You are living there rent free for HOW long? Is it in writing?? or Are you going to be able to take your new appliances and flooring when you move out in a month or two? I'm not sure what your agreement with the owner is, but you had better get it in writing!

Hi. Contract for 2 years. Can take everything I buy for the house. As it’s rent free would be ok leaving appliances:)

Hi Daniel— can you explain? Meaning redo kitchen flooring to match the hardwood floors?

Thanks; I see the oven now. How much are you willing and able to spend on the project?

$5-6k? :)))

Save your 6K. Live with it clean, and get a smaller fridge and maybe one for drinks(like a dorm size) for your dining area or den area. You can even buy refrigerators that have no freezer in them! They are much smaller in size in a room. Than you can get the drink frig, (wine frig?) in your dining or living area --- and a small chest type deep freezer if you have need for it. A yetti cooler would even maintain a bag of ice, long enough for one person to enjoy it I expect, if Ice was all you needed and forget the small chest type deep freezer if there is not room for that anywhere...That will make a big difference in the floorspace that is ate up. There is no reason to paint and replace, surfaces that are just the wrong color in a rental, unless they are unbearably damaged, for sure.

Danby

Designer 24 in. W 11.0 cu. ft. Freezerless Refrigerator in White, Counter Depth this one is at Home Depot. There are small ones I think..

Agree with redsilver--I'd never waste that much on a rental. I'd get a good smallish fridge, not dorm/undercounter, apartment size. Also, check around the adjoining rooms. Often old kitchens had the icebox in a niche outside the kitchen somewhere that the ice man could get to it without coming all the way into the house. Lots of those will take up to a 30" counter depth fridge if you don't mind the extra steps.

I see the pics. Nice place for you to live and save money for the next big thing to come in your life? Very nice!!

I'm not sure I'd buy a Danby, but some other options:

https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/FF94X.html

https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/LBNC10551.html

Or, if you think you might take it with you:

https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/GLE12HSLSS.html

(Not suggesting you buy there; they just have the largest selection for shopping around. I know nothing, either good or bad, about what they're like to deal with.)

Thank you! Had no idea this was an option as far as size goes.

And that great thing is, you will be able to use that wherever you live if you need a 2nd refrigerator on down the line, or your landlord gracious as they are, may buy it from you for what you paid for it, when you move out?

I am with others - I would not spend $6000 on a rental apartment. It's a rental kitchen. Down the line you will be glad to have that money for other stuff. Or do you have great furniture that you could purchase since that could be used wherever you go.

Whatever size works for you in terms of a refrigerator would depend on your eating and buying style. It's not the most elegant but lots of old kitchens have refrigerators jutting into the room because they weren't built for the refrigerator. An apartment size refrigerator wouldn't hulk over the rest of the room as much as the current one does and they are generally inexpensive. I bought one in 1986 for an apartment with no refrigerator and it was still going strong 20 years later.

Writersblock — I love to cook and entertain, so kitchen is my fave place in house. I think “updating it” a tad would be beneficial for me and my hosts, as I wouldn’t mind paying for this considering im saving about $40,000 in rental fees for Boston. :)

Yes, I'd start with a thorough scrubbing first, then live with the rest of it for a while before you do anything drastic, aside from getting a new fridge. You'd be amazed what a deep cleaning can do. Even if you were buying it helps to live in a space for a bit before making any big changes.

She has a step down into her dining area. You could modify a table or cabinet stock tho to accomodate the step down at the base ---or add a riser to the sunken floor an appropriate depth and width(might be easier)for a left side counter area/storage beneath its' base...or to support a refrigerator giving more room for the counter at the doorway area..

Replace the ceiling light fixture with one that has the LED equivalent of three 75-watt bulbs. It'll be much brighter. Wash the cabinets, have the tile floors professionally cleaned (they can do the bathroom floors and tile, too), then apply some grout paint that's the same lighter color as the newly cleaned floors.

The countertops can be cleaned and renewed with Gel Gloss. Choose the kind for laminate or whatever your countertops are: http://www.gel-gloss.com/

@ GG— yes, that’s how I feel about it. Doing it for me and have supportive owners who gave me the gift of free rent in Boston area (unheard of.) A paint project may be fun, especially as I have no furniture or all of my kitchen stuff there now. Thank you for your input.

If you have friends over and like to cook, I would get a tall slim counter-depth fridge . . . in black and place a piece of art on it or over it. Look at how this renter put art over the fridge (and another big piece on it) and liquor bottles on top.

Sicilian Still-Life., Original By Alex · More Info

Put down an indoor/outdoor rug.

Hermosa Indoor and Outdoor Cross Panel Gray and Gold Rug, 5'3"x7'6" · More Info

Are the cabinets decent? If so leave them as is after a good cleaning and polishing.

Then create a beautiful adjoining dining area with great art, lighting, furnishings that you can bring with you.

Here's an article about tips for dealing with a rental kitchen.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/rental-kitchen-decor-ideas-oak-wood-finish-cabinets-258656

The kitchen isn't outdated, it's retro! Add a cool 1950s chrome leg table and chairs, some bright towels, and kitchy food-print curtains and let the martinis flow. The cabinets will fit right in!

I agree with lindsey, paint the walls, do not paint the cabinets. They have a nice vertical grain pattern and go well with the slate gray counters, painting the cabinets WILL make them look old. Add accessories in your favourite colour to give a splash of life to the kitchen and show off your personality. Leave the cook top and wall oven alone, generally considered a small luxury and MUCH more ergonomic to use, If you can't live with the fridge as is then a counter depth one either single door hinge on the left side or french doors upper compartment. Fisher and Paykel makes nicely featured counter depth fridges either 25 inch, 31 1/4 inch or 35 1/2 inch widths.