“Not all apartments are cute, but there’s always things you can do to improve...”

As the Head of Editorial for Tasty, I cover all things food, from taste tests of your favorite grocery store staples to how-tos on trending recipes.

Just to reiterate: These are all renter-friendly! (And even though they're geared toward a very particular type of apartment, these tips can be applied broadly in most homes.)

If your kitchen is shrouded in oak cabinets and outdated vinyl and boasts a white refrigerator (*shudders*), as Tommy says, "you may think there's no hope here, there's nothing I can do." However, there are actually numerous tricks and tips at your disposal for lightening things up, modernizing your aesthetic, and making your kitchen space feel inviting and cozy.

Think of artwork, plants, unexpected textures, and interesting objects. Tommy's example even shows cabinets with the doors removed by simply unscrewing them, which reveals layers of color and visual intrigue.

It takes all of several minutes and a handful of budget-friendly handles of your choosing. It couldn't be more renter-friendly, either. "Just switch it back to the old hardware before you move out," Tommy adds.

"I recommend making sure you are getting a thick, gel backsplash," Tommy told BuzzFeed, "rather than one that is essentially just wallpaper with tile printed on it." The former will hold up better over time and will also look deceptively close to real tile.

But before you go overboard with peel-and-stick everything, Tommy does caution viewers against peel-and-stick countertops and flooring, which are readily available and certainly popular. "First off, they can be very difficult to install without any bubbles or imperfections, and secondly, they just don't hold up very well and can start looking beat up very quickly," he explained.

"Unfortunate beige carpet," or really any unappealing wall-to-wall carpeting, is almost always the culprit when dealing with an "ugly" living room, but there are several easy fixes that don't involve anything that would risk your security deposit.

In order to add as much dimension as possible to your living space, he recommends using a rug that's texturally different than the carpet that's underneath it. It'll further define the space and help the eye become naturally drawn to the nicer-looking element of the two.

"We do not need any more boob flush-mounts like this," Tommy points out in the video. He adds that it's not as difficult as it might seem; he's done it multiple times before. And if it does seem too daunting or dangerous, it's usually easy and cost-effective to hire someone handy, like a TaskRabbit, to get it done quickly and confidently.

"For most hallways and living areas with standard ceiling lights, a flush-mount or semi-flush-mount will likely work best," Tommy told BuzzFeed. "If the light is going above a dining table, kitchen island, or bed, a chandelier, or hanging pendant can be a great option."

When asked if there's any particular combination of lamps and lights that can help to make a room feel more inviting, Tommy told BuzzFeed that there "aren't any hard or fast rules," just that there is a combination. "You always want to make sure you are layering in multiple sources of light," he added.

Older bathrooms tend to show their age really quickly, especially if you're dealing with a funky tile situation or plumbing fixtures that are downright appalling. Tommy shared several of his best tips with BuzzFeed for improving unsightly bathrooms, and I will be implementing every last one of these changes in my own, thank you very much!

Don't settle for the cheapest stuff just because your bathroom is "meh." Instead, invest in a great shower curtain, a high-quality bath mat, and even luxurious-feeling towels — plus a sightly chic way of organizing them.

Pro tip: To save aggravation on move-out day, buy frames that can be easily displayed on the wall via command strips.

Items like teak or wicker towel baskets, stylish canisters for holding cotton pads and Q-tips, and even glass bottles for dispensing soaps and skincare products can add a whole lot of luxury for a lot less money than you'd think.