So here’s the deal: you want to give your kitchen a fresh new look but you have neither money nor the time to complete a top-down remodel. If that sounds right, you’re in the same boat as thousands of homeowners across the country, but that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to living with the same old dated kitchen that you’ve been bored with for years. Truth be told, you’d be surprised at how changing three, two, or even one thing in your kitchen can give the space a dynamic new look.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few of the things that you can do to transform your kitchen without breaking the bank.
Choose New Appliances
There are many reasons for you to update your appliances; your existing ones are dated, they’re not very energy efficient, or they don’t have any of the cool new features that you’ve been dying to take advantage of. Whatever the reason, the added benefit of updating your appliances is that you’ll add a new aesthetic to just about every facet of your kitchen, especially if you choose to invest in a matching fridge, stove, dishwasher, and microwave.
Now you might be thinking that you need to go with the trendiest brand names to get what you want, but that isn’t necessarily the case. If you’re a thrifty shopper and have an eye for a deal, you might consider holding out until the store’s flagship brand goes on sale. Many of the basic brands are energy efficient and offer a step up from your previous appliances in terms of features. Best of all, they won’t come with a designer price tag and will likely go on sale at least a couple of times over the course of the year.
Upgrade Your Sink and Kitchen Faucet
You’d be amazed at how simply shelling out for a fancy new kitchen faucet will ramp up your kitchen’s style, but it’s not just about looks. A new faucet can change your life in the kitchen, from making it easier to fill pots, to hands-free operation. For an ultra modern look, opt for something different than the typical stainless steel fare with a brushed brass. This can dramatically improve your kitchen design.
Introduce New Lights and Light Switches
Lighting too can drastically change the appearance of your kitchen without the added expense and time of a complete kitchen remodel. If your kitchen currently employs fluorescent lighting, consider something that brings warmth to the space instead. Avoid dimming lights as these will not be useful in your kitchen where brightness is key. When it comes to switches, navigate away from the generic, run of the mill hardware store option for something that does a better job of matching the appliances or fixtures.
Add a Fancy Backsplash and Replace the Existing Flooring with Tile or Hardwood
Dollar for dollar and pound for pound, switching up your backsplash is one of the best and easiest ways to jazz up your kitchen. Many of the options available on the market today require very little experience to install; in fact, some can be installed relatively effortlessly by exposing the adhesive backing and affixing it to the desired area.
Install an Island
If you’ve got the space in your kitchen, an island is a great way to add functionality where there was none before and really transform your kitchen.
Islands provide ample storage and prep space, offer a place to sit and have a quick snack and provide the family with a focal point around which to congregate. If you’re thinking that installing an island is an expensive way to alter your kitchen, you’re right – to a point. There are many cheaper alternatives to a permanently installed island. For example, you might decide to go with a movable island on wheels or a rustic free-standing island concept. Both of these options are relatively inexpensive ways to add the functionality of an island without having to commit to a complete kitchen reno.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Nothing breathes new life into a room like a fresh coat of paint. A fresh color will not only give the appearance that you’ve made a significant change but depending on the color you choose, a fresh paint job can actually make your kitchen look bigger than it is. If you aren’t in a position to swap out your existing cabinets, you can significantly alter their appearance by painting the doors. Remember to choose a color that will help amplify the light in the room and one that will complement the style of the other elements being added to the kitchen. Paint is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to transform your kitchen.
Update the Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops
There’s no getting around it. Cabinets and countertops play a big part in what your kitchen looks like. It, therefore, stands to reason that changing these two things are among the most costly jobs you’ll encounter when working on your kitchen. Having said all that, if your current cabinets are still in good shape (if not dated), there’s no reason you can’t hang on to them a little while longer.
For example, there are a few small upgrades that will really help your old cabinets become new again:
- Cabinet pulls. Update old, dated cabinets with modern pulls and hinges.
- Apply a fresh coat of Nuvo cabinet paint (see pic above!)
- Refinishing. This task may require a bit of elbow grease, but taking the time to re-sand and stain your old cabinets will reward you with an impressive new look.
As for countertops, you don’t need to settle for an inexpensive laminate, but you also don’t have to shell out big bucks at a designer home improvement store to get the look you want. Call around to different discount granite retailers in your area. You can also rejuvenate an otherwise fine laminate countertop with countertop paint from Giani. You’ll be amazed at how it can transform your kitchen in just a weekend.
The point of all of this is, you can actually get much closer to the kitchen of your dreams for a lot less than you might think. You don’t need a complete overhaul to improve the way your kitchen looks, to update it, or make your home look more expensive. What you do need is a little imagination and to know where to turn for a helping hand.
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