Try uploading photos in a new post here in the comments.

Make sure the LL will allow you to use peel and stick anything as it will more than likely end up permanent.

Thanks! I have finally figured out how to upload photos. See below! :)

What will your landlord permit? you have to ask, and check your lease carefully. Many LLs will charge you for any alteration that you make.

If he will allow, you could paint the door/window wall a pretty color -- a soft coral, or a blue-green maybe; and get a colorful curtain or shade that will still let in light (like a white background with a design - you could even create your own). But be sure that you can paint well and carefully and not leave drips and splatters and splotches.

The only other things I would suggest is to look for oversized drawer knobs (google that phrase) to carefully replace the small ones (and keep the ones you are removing in a safe place); and perhaps buy some trim molding with a flat base, like baseboard, to put on top of the cabinets to hide that duct. You would need to tack it in place with dabs of caulk, so it is not permanent, but won't fall. You could paint it your wall color before installing.

However, I myself would just live with it as is and save my pennies.

Enjoy your new place!

I agree with Beckysharp. New curtain and perhaps put up some art you enjoy on the left wall. Save your pennies for the great food you'll be cooking in this well-maintained kitchen. :)

If you're going to be there a while, I'd look for a couple of colorful rugs - one by the door, a runner by the stove/sink.

If the backsplash bothers you, what about just some tile decals to cover the existing ones? The rest of the tile looks pretty neutral.

I'd also look for some nicer looking barstools if you have a place to store those. They look really uncomfortable and you could add some style with inexpensive (and maybe colorful) stools.

from ikea, white one is under $100, the tan one is $169.

Thanks all for your input!! We are definitely going to replace the curtains - I am thinking something a bit sheer to make sure we get lots of natural light. We are also going to talk to the LL about the bars on the window. It's a very safe neighbourhood, but the LL installed the bars about 20 years ago when they lived in the unit, before the building had a fence around it. Now there is a fence so people cannot so easily enter our deck and back door area.

We are also definitely interested in covering up the existing tiles that have the flowers on them, but leaving the rest of the white ones as they are. I am thinking we could do one single row across the entire backsplash of some sort of peel and stick tile with a funky design - something that is perhaps blue/grey-ish to match the counter top? I love the look of the Spanish style tiles, but I've never done this type of decorating before so I'd love some feedback on what sort of tiles you all think would work! I've been looking on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/market/peel_and_stick_tile

We have a microwave and toaster that are stainless steel which will be out on the countertop and I think will help! I'd also like to get some sort of runner-type rug for the kitchen to add some colour. We are based in Canada so unfortunately we don't have Target here, but IKEA seemed to have some reasonably priced ones.

New door knobs/pulls were mentioned as well. I did some googling but couldn't quite figure out which were being referred to, or further, which would look good/fit with where the current knobs are installed.

I'm also thinking maybe put some sort of plants/decor on top of the top cupboards to add some personality there. Any thoughts?

I should mention our budget isn't very large unfortunately as we are a young couple just starting out! We've been sourcing a lot of our furniture off Kijiji/Facebook Marketplace which has been great though, and I am super open (although inexperienced) to DIY :)

Thanks again everyone!

We are also definitely interested in covering up the existing tiles that have the flowers on them, but leaving the rest of the white ones as they are.

Can you post a close-up of the tiles and the countertop, too? I think the peel-and-stick tiles or decals are a great idea.

We are based in Canada so unfortunately we don't have Target here, but IKEA seemed to have some reasonably priced ones.

I'm in Canada too, in Alberta, but I'm used to most posters being in the US so I try to skew my replies that way : ) . It's great that you have an Ikea nearby.

We just finished building a new house last year, and our kitchen, laundry room, and pantry cabinets are all Ikea, as are the bathroom vanities.

By the way, we built our house ourselves, so I have a lot of sources for what can be found in Canada at reasonable prices and online. If you're looking for something, just ask : ) . For example, I found that the nicest looking, and most inexpensive register covers, came from Walmart Canada online, of all places.

New door knobs/pulls were mentioned as well. I did some googling but couldn't quite figure out which were being referred to, or further, which would look good/fit with where the current knobs are installed.

Do you want new knobs/pulls? I'd change them only if you want to. Home Depot has some nice Martha Stewart ones, Lowes also has good selections, and good value if you buy them in the packs of 10 or so.

I'm also thinking maybe put some sort of plants/decor on top of the top cupboards to add some personality there. Any thoughts?

Definitely. Plus it will help hide the pipe wrap insulation : ) . Are you a plant person? Do you know what plants will work in the kitchen with the exposure you have?

I'm glad it's a safe neighbourhood : ) and that there's a chance that the bars can be removed. That will make a huge difference.

The only peel and stick tiles that I have seen have very strong adhesive - designed to be hard to remove! Again you would have to make sure that your landlord would be okay with that, and also realize that they will not be flush with the other tiles.

By oversized knobs I just meant bigger in size than the existing ones -- just for a better look. There would be no change in the holes, they would fit in the same as the existing. I suggested googling to find styles and prices that you could afford. But it is just what I think would look better and not at all necessary.

The only peel and stick tiles that I have seen have very strong adhesive - designed to be hard to remove!

There are removable/repositionable vinyl decal tiles. Quadrostyle is one of the Etsy sellers who makes them.

Also this might help,

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-temporary-removable-products-all-renters-should-know-about-206028

For covering the tile use decals. There is a plethora of choices, just type 'kitchen tile decal' into your search engine.. They are reasonable in price and easy to remove.

Apartmenttherapy.com has a lot of great ideas for rentals.

New hardware (cabinet and drawer pulls), new curtains, a nice non-slip, washable rug or mat on the floor, and some better lighting......small things that aren't expensive and will make a big impact, IMO.