When you are remodeling a rental home, you often need to think differently than if you were remodeling a home you were going to live in. This is especially true with kitchen remodeling. You likely want the kitchen to be easy to move items into and out of. You also need it to be compatible with a variety of cooking styles since all of your renters, over the years, will likely have different needs. So, how do you go about remodeling a kitchen in a rental home? Here are a few tips and ideas.

Choose cabinets based on durability.

While it is nice for cabinets to be attractive, have durability be your top priority when choosing cabinets for a rental kitchen. Those cabinets are going to be loaded and unloaded every time someone moves in or out. Some renters may not close them as carefully as they should. An engineered material, like MDF, is likely to hold up better than real wood. Opt for the most durable hardware you can afford, too. It will keep you from having to replace or repair the hardware in the future.

Make the appliance compartments a standard size.

This is not the time to design a kitchen around a uniquely sized fridge or to build a microwave into a cabinet. Go with standard-size spaces for the fridge, oven, and all other appliances. This way, you always have the option of requiring renters to bring their own appliances. Or, if you include appliances, it will be easier to replace the ones that become damaged. 

Choose flooring with a pattern.

Look for tile or sheet flooring that has multiple colors in it and a more detailed pattern. This way, if the floor gets dented, dinged, or scratched when people are moving things in or out, the damage will not be so obvious. Also, make sure the flooring you choose is not as textured. This way, it will not hold onto so much grime, and it will be easier for you to clean between renters.

Avoid specialized cabinets.

Basic cabinets with widely spaced shelves allow renters to store their items with flexibility. You do not know what items each renter will have, so it is best to avoid more specialized setups such as holders for cookie sheets, rotating cabinets, and drop-down shelves.

If you follow the tips above, you should end up with a well-designed kitchen in your rental home.