The kitchen is the most inhabited area of the home; from cooking, to eating to entertaining- it all happens in that fun space.
Some of us like it uber-modern, some prefer country chic and others like a classic lived-in look. But whatever your flavour is, the looks can get tired and dated over time. With some simple and inexpensive solutions you can give your beloved space a refreshing face-lift.
Taking a good look at your kitchen will allow you to examine elements that you like and dislike. Perhaps you need more storage, a fun backsplash or a solution to dated cabinets.
There are so many ways that you can give new life to your existing kitchen without ripping it out completely. Here are some of my top 10 tips:
1. Add a little splash to your backsplash! Maybe you have some dated tiles or your backsplash is bare. Whatever the case, the possibilities are endless. Installing new tiles is predictable and can result in a pricey update. Try Graham & Brown ‘s Slate Grey wallpaper; it looks like stone and has texture to simulate the real thing. It is easy to apply and at $40 a roll, it can be a huge transformation on a budget. Painting a backsplash in a chalkboard paint is another fun and inexpensive option. If you need extra storage for kitchen utensils and other knick-knacks, consider a painted pegboard backsplash. It looks fun and packs a lot of function.
2. Countertops can look dated; a new top will create a fresh surface. For inexpensive tops consider Ikea’s butcher blocks or their thick stainless counters. These alternative surfaces will create a refreshing look.
3. Cabinet refacing is becoming a popular approach to tackle old cabinetry. A company like Nubold will replace or refinish your cabinet doors and refinish your existing cabinet boxes to match. With this approach you can completely change the colour and style of your kitchen and you can add moldings, taller uppers and trims. The possibilities are endless, all at one third of the cost of a brand new kitchen!
4. Sanding and painting cabinets is another great option. This is a great DIY project. You can have a company like ‘Paint it Like New’ to do the job for you. They will take your cabinet doors and spray them in their factory to guarantee a hard, durable and long-lasting coating.
5. Adding storage with an island is a great approach for any kitchen. You may also choose to replace your existing island for a larger one that maximizes your function. Depending on the look you wish to achieve you can introduce an island in a different wood or painted finish. You can also choose from an industrial-type stainless steel island; this will provide the ability to have open storage and a unit on castors that is easily moved around for alternate scenarios. This can be a practical and pleasant alternative.
6. If you have tall ceiling and short cabinets consider extending your cabinets, it could be simply decorative with glass doors, closed with solid doors for added storage or a combination of both. This may require you to have your original kitchen manufacturer come back and customize these for you. Another alternative would be to find a good millworker to fabricate these; a reliable professional will match your existing door finish and style without a problem.
7. Add colour to your kitchen walls with a fresh coat of paint. Pick a punchy tone to give your kitchen some life! Likewise, you can add some drama to your kitchen with a patterned wallpaper.
8. A new faucet can speak volumes. Adding a fancy tool that is shiny and new can be pleasant to use and easy on the eyes!
9. Give your kitchen height by breaking through the dated dropped ceilings. These were popular in the ’80s and ’90s but not anymore. For lighting solutions, look for contemporary track lights.
10. Change up your old gold knobs for a sleek set of kitchen pulls. This can be an easy do-it-yourself project. Refer to my previous post “How to Update your Kitchen Cabinets” for more details on how to tackle this project.