The One Room YouTube Star Alexandra Gater Will Never Forget

Interior designers and other experts in the home industry work on an impressive number of spaces throughout their careers. But even if some of the makeovers and redesigns start to blend together after a few years, there are some rooms that are just truly unforgettable. 

So, to give designers a chance to revisit their favorite projects—and to bring you plenty of inspiration for your own home—we’re sharing the one room these pros will remember forever. For some, there’s a sentimental connection, for others, there was an obstacle they never thought they’d overcome. But no matter what, these rooms are worth remembering.

Alexandra Gater makes renter renos into something wonderful with her incredible transformations, all documented on her YouTube channel. She shows you can make your rental feel homier—even when you’re on a budget. It’s filled with inspiration that, yes, you can update your temporary living space. 

While you scroll through her channel and binge-watch her boho-chic makeovers, there’s one space in particular that Gater remembers most: a renter-friendly sage green kitchen that she renovated for under $600.

“I just got good vibes from it,” Gater says. “I walked away with it feeling like we did so much to the space, but it was so manageable. Anyone could tackle it."

The rental kitchen was initially filled with harsh, white cabinets, dark countertops, and didn’t have a ton of life to it. But as a rental, there weren’t a ton of permanent changes she could make herself.

After getting some “modern farmhouse” inspiration photos from her client, Gater set off to transform the drab kitchen into something her client could enjoy cooking in every day. With permission from the landlord, she knew she wanted to paint the cabinets sage green for a pop of color—but finding the right shade proved to be a challenge.

On the first day on set, Gater started by painting the cabinets and found that the sage-looking color was way too light and looked nothing like the paint chip. Luckily, the client lived near a hardware store, and Gater was able to pick up a color called Sico Cool Current. It looked darker than she thought she wanted, but dried the perfect sage green hue. 

From there, she installed simple black knobs and drawer pulls that contrast with the cabinets and matched the countertops in the rental. Next, she found a neutral yet unique peel-and-stick backsplash that features an angular motif in a neutral beige color. It’s one of Gater’s favorite rental hacks, as it's an easy way to update an outdated kitchen without making a permanent or expensive change.

Plus, these neutral tones are something her client can enjoy for years. In fact, Gater recently revisited the space and found that her client hasn’t changed a thing nearly a year later—right down to the placement of the toaster.

“The goal was to keep it boho-feeling, but also something that could last for years to come,” Gatersays. “Because I find sometimes that people do these massive renovations, especially with kitchens, they can be stuck in that style or era. It can be hard to find something that’s timeless but still stylish.”

She also made smaller rental-friendly changes, like adding a dish towel rack to an unsightly dishwasher and some shelving to display cookbooks and pretty dishware.

Once the big “renovations” were out of the way, Gater was able to spruce up the rental kitchen with stand-out accessories that her client can bring with her to her next rental, including a pale pink Kate Spade toaster and a rainbow shaped dish rack. These elevated versions of common household items are what she feels really helps complete the space.

“A thing like that can make a huge difference, and they’re renter-friendly, obviously,” Gater says. “You're not making any physical changes to the space."

More impressively, she was able to do all of these things in just two days, which is something she believes anyone can do to their rental space in just a weekend, especially for this price point.

Gater began her channel in 2014, but found this space was a turning point for her channel, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in a rental space. She’s also since completed two other makeovers featuring green cabinets—including her new loft office studio for Team AG.

“I love the design so much, and we were actually able to accomplish what we set out to do,” she says. “The room has inspired me to go bigger and bolder with my makeovers, use color in unexpected ways, and pair different patterns and colors together.”