Inexpensive Ways to Update Your Kitchen

danielleelizabethr0
May 14, 2019
4 min read

CHANGE THE HARDWARE: Changing the handles and pulls on your cabinets is one of the easiest ways to give your kitchen an updated look. I always advise going with something modern or clean over something too decorative. While decorative knobs can be very pretty they can also be more costly and it is likely that they will get old fast.

PAINT THE CABINETS: New cabinetry can be very pricey. If your cabinets are in good shape, giving them a fresh coat of paint can help you achieve the new look you are searching for. Luckily for us do-it-yourselfer's, there are tons of tutorials online you can follow to successfully paint your cabinetry and countless kits to help you get the job done. I love a bright kitchen so you can’t go wrong with white, beige or a light gray. However, if you want to be bold consider a two toned look and paint your lower cabinets a darker more daring shade.

SWAP THE DOORS OR REMOVE THEM COMPLETELY: If your cabinet doors are not in the greatest shape and painting them will not suit your updating needs, consider removing them all together. Open shelving is a popular trend and displaying the right dinnerware can be the decor element you have been missing.

UPDATE LIGHT FIXTURES: The lighting in your home is a HUGE deal. If your kitchen light fixtures are decades old, updating them should be at the top of your to do list. Usually this type of project can be done quickly and relatively inexpensive. There are a few things you should take into consideration when choosing lighting. The first is main source of lighting vs. decorative accents. Don’t over complicate it. I am a huge fan of recessed lighting as the main source of light in a kitchen. It is practical and goes especially well with decorative lighting accents. Pendant lighting over an island or peninsula can give your kitchen a personality and added ambiance. This is where you can get creative and bring in elements that show off your style or tie your design together. The next thing to consider is placement and size. Don’t just pop the lights in the middle of the room. Their placement should be functional and provide ample light. If you are incorporating accents or task lights you will have to use your judgment. Pendant lights should be out of the way (hanging no lower than 30” from counter top to bottom of pendant) and sconces or other accent lights should be placed over areas you wish to highlight.

WINDOW TREATMENTS AND RUGS: In the monochromatic kitchens that are trending today window treatments and accent rugs are a great way to make a statement against a blank slate. If your kitchen is very dated, these elements can help modernize the space with a splash of color. If you have a neutral kitchen adding a patterned roman shade can make your windows pop. If patterns aren’t your style, a woven or textured shade can bring visual interest to your windows without stealing the show. If you don’t want to make a big statement in this area wooden blinds or shutters provide an upscale look and are easy to clean. Rugs are a great way to add warmth to the heart of your home. Many people are skeptical about rugs in the kitchen but there are so many easy clean options today that spills and messes shouldn’t hold you back. Whether you love your floor but want to add cushion and character or hate your floor and are looking to cover it up there are endless options. Rugs are often used in front of the kitchen sink or under tables to better define the space. Recently I have been loving the look of a runner between an island and the sink. Whether you need an injection of color or playful pattern– the options are almost endless - the rug that you choose will set the tone for your final look. One final suggestion would be to go with an indoor/outdoor rug because they tend to be the most durable and to stay away from solid, light color rugs as they will show the most stains. (Ruggable has great options for machine washable rugs)

ADD A BACK SPLASH: Updating or adding a back splash can completely freshen up the look of your kitchen. It is also a great opportunity to get creative with a variety of colors, textures and patterns. To modernize your kitchen without fully replacing the existing back splash you can opt to paint it. A stenciled pattern can add great charm to your space. If painting the tile isn’t in the cards because the tiles are in bad condition or non-existent you can try adding tile, bead board, wood, tin, etc. to attain your desired look. Another option is to add a focal point above your stove. Even using the most expensive of materials, your project will still be cost effective since you are working with such a small area.