Part of renter proofing a place is using the most durable materials you can. Here I used a ceramic floor tile, and banded it with a nice edge of a gray with a pearl sheen. I couldn't butt the tiles, or use a 1/16th inch space between them, as this would have left me a sliver of tile on each side. So I used a thicker grout joint and used non sanded black grout. (A mess. Never use black non sanded grout.) The base of the countertops is a piece of 5/8" plywood, and over that I adhered a 1/4" piece of concrete board with mastic, for a durable solid base for the tile. Never know when a renter is going to stand on the countertops.

The original cabinets were covered in layers of grease and dirt. Inside, were numerous applications of shelf paper, and layers of roach debris. I replaced all of the cabinets with a discount oak model.

Everything in the house, cabinet knobs, plumbing fixtures, etc., were bought on Ebay.