If your kitchen is currently showing signs of wear and tear, then perhaps it’s time to give it a much-needed makeover. And even if you’re a renter or a home cook on a tight budget, that doesn’t mean you have to make do with a poor-looking kitchen. Here are a few hacks you can do to update your kitchen without doing a full-scale remodelling.
Easy Ways to Update Your Kitchen
When you plan to refresh your kitchen, the main goal is to do it with the least effort and cost possible. So, first things first, give your kitchen space a quick assessment. Try to note down the spots that need to be improved, removed or replaced. List down the things you can do yourself so you can save on labour costs. If some appliances or hardware don’t look as good but are still working, check if a little cleaning and scrubbing will do before getting rid of them. After which, these easy kitchen upgrades should help you get started.
1. Paint the walls and ceiling
One of the most cost-efficient ways to update your kitchen is giving it a fresh coat of paint. It doesn’t cost a lot, but it can instantly brighten up your worn-out window frames, dusty ceiling and grimy walls. Just make sure to purchase the appropriate paint based on the material you’re using it on. In general, oil paint is the best choice for your kitchen as it is moisture resistant.
If your kitchen is small, choosing the all-white path is the way to go. Bright colours make small spaces look larger. Just remember that lighter hues also require more frequent cleaning and maintenance. But if wall painting is not your expertise, then you can always use wallpaper. The best thing about this decorating tool is that it’s easier to inject patterns, character and design to the room without too much work.
2. Refresh your cabinets
Next to the walls, your cabinets are the most visible items in your kitchen. So, if they don’t look great, it affects the entire space. There are five ways on how you can update your kitchen cabinets without splurging on new ones:
- Sand and restain. This technique is ideal for solid wooden cabinets to show off their natural grain and details.
- Repaint. If you’ve already chosen to do a full paint job on your walls, then you might as well apply the same strategy to your cabinets. It’s a handy technique to cover dents as well as spruce up outdated colours. Make sure to choose a colour that complements your kitchen wall.
- Install shelves. This option is best for kitchens without room for cabinets but has walls for open shelving. Floating shelves can be your stage for showing off your fancy china collection. You can even add small hooks at the base to hang your dainty teacups. It’s a décor and storage in one. These shelves keep cooking and dining tools within easy reach, too.
- Cover the cabinet backing. If you have cabinets with glass front, adhesive wallpaper on the backing can work as a backdrop for your dinnerware. Choose a pattern that highlights your cabinet and wall colour.
- Change the pulls and knobs. For kitchen cabinets that don’t need much work, perhaps a change in hardware is enough to give them a fresh look.
3. Use themed accessories
If you think painting your kitchen wall and cabinets will take too much time, or you’re not confident enough to take on this task, you can accessorise and use colours instead. When I do this, I prefer focusing on one theme then injecting functional décor into my kitchen upgrade plan.
For example, if I want a country-inspired kitchen, I use earth colours and accessorise with baskets, flowers, jars with wooden lids, a fruit bowl and similar items. I would find a rack to display my pot collection and cooking utensils, then perhaps hang oven gloves or tea towels on my oven door. This way, you’re giving the space a coordinated look without appearing too cluttered.
4. Glam up the splashback
Having drywall for a splashback can be a little plain and boring. Some adhesive tile panels can instantly jazz up this blank space between your bench and cabinets. This option is best if you think working with real tiles and grout is too messy. But remember, choosing a tiled splashback to update your kitchen is best if you’re looking for a durable and long-term solution.
If you think your existing tiled splashback needs work, you can regrout, retile or paint over your old tiles for a quick update. Using the subway tile design is a popular option as it is timeless and very affordable. For small kitchens, a mirrored splashback is an elegant choice that can open up tight spaces. It’s hard-wearing, but you need time to wipe and maintain it regularly.
5. Use vinyl decals on floors
If your kitchen floor is not the best-looking sight in the world, peel-and-stick flooring is your best friend. They come in all sorts of colours and designs. They’re easy to use, durable, affordable and perfect for resolving almost any type of flooring conundrum.
6. Set up a snack corner
You can skip out this hack if your space is too tight for a mini eating area, but if you can, set up a small dining table next to a cabinet or rack with jars or baskets of snacks and nibbles. Your kids will love hanging out at this spot after school for sure. It’s an excellent place to entertain guests for tea and cakes, too. A snack corner can make any kitchen look warm and inviting. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but make sure to keep it neat and organised.
7. Add the finishing touches
When you update your kitchen, even small details count. You can install curtain or blinds to your windows, then perhaps decorate them with a few potted herbs or succulents. Rather than use peel-and-stick flooring to cover up dents and cracks, you can lay a beautiful rug instead. Make sure to choose one that’s easy to clean and has a lovely pattern to hide stains. For extra flair, you can also hang one or two décors on the wall. A good-sized clock, for instance, is an excellent choice to help keep you on track while busily making that delicious dinner!
Now that you know how to update your kitchen the easy way, you’ll have no problem making it look posh and expensive. These secrets will make your renovation just as simple.
