Remodeling your kitchen can be expensive and can take a lot of time if you’re going for a complete overhaul of cabinets and appliances. However, there are smaller-scale projects you can easily take on to ensure your kitchen is practical but also oozes style. You can channel your remodeling efforts to reflect kitchen trends of the year, or you can consider simple ideas that have that timeless flavor that are certain not to go out of style soon. Here are some ideas to help you refresh your kitchen look:
- Rejuvenate your cabinets
Give your kitchen a refreshed look by painting the cabinets. If you use light colors, it will create the impression of airiness and space. A white kitchen is, after all, a classic. If you’d like to add a little bit of color, you can install a glass front panel on one of the cabinet doors. Paint the glass to suit your fancy for a pop of color.
- Replace cabinet doorknobs
An easy DIY project is to replace the cabinet doorknobs. Go for brass or any silver-looking ones that will best suit your choice of cabinet color. It’s just a small change but one that changes the entire look of your kitchen. Find knobs that are the same size as your current ones to avoid re-drilling the cabinets. There are plenty of tutorials to help you install them if you’re a DIY newbie.
- Make a statement with your new backsplash
Another easy project is either adding a backsplash or changing the existing one. There are easy-to-use peel-and-stick options for this type of DIY. Pick a pattern that mixes well with your cabinets and floor. If you feel adventurous, you can install a tile backsplash and create a recurring pattern out of small tiles.
- Revamp your countertops
As the jewelry of the kitchen, make sure your countertop shines. Granite countertops have been all the rage for a while now, but they take a lot of care as they require periodic sealing. Instead, you can now go for quartz, which is stain- and chip-proof. One downside of quartz is that it burns easily if you set a hot pot on it.
If you’d like to go for a more low-key remodeling project in this department, you can always turn to the stick-and-peel sheet, which you can apply over your existing countertop.
- Increase your countertop space
It’s easy to create additional countertop space with a pull-out shelf. This addition gives you temporary space for food prep – a particularly convenient hack for smaller kitchens. When you finish the job, you can clean and slide it back in its place. Consider it as a way to increase your home value for future buyers if you ever decide to sell.
- Paint or wallpaper your walls
A fresh coat of paint is a fairly easy project that can improve the look of your kitchen. If you’d like to take it a notch higher, a colorful wallpaper can always make your kitchen pop, especially against the backdrop of white cabinets. Choose florals or any pattern that fits your personality. The kitchen is a room where you spend a lot of time, and it’s also a place that’s easier to customize to suit your taste. It’s important that you don’t forget any windows in you kitchen – keep them clean to ensure your space is naturally and beautifully lit.
- Let a new lighting scheme speak for itself
Factor in how much natural light your kitchen gets and also the overall design of the room before you pick a new light scheme. Pick a main light fixture that brings the entire room together – one that matches the color scheme of your walls or cabinets. Remember to add spotlights under your higher cabinets to add subtle lighting.
- Give the ceiling your full attention
The ceiling can be one of the most neglected areas of your kitchen when you’re thinking of remodeling it, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you decide to go for a light color for your cabinets, complement the look with a color of the same hue for the ceiling. You will definitely draw the eye upward and create more visual appeal in the kitchen.
- Infuse your floors with character
If your kitchen has hardwood floors, you can easily sand them and seal them for a shiny, refreshed look. If your floors are too weathered to fully benefit from this procedure, you can always turn to click and lock flooring, which is easy to install, especially for beginner DIYers.
If your kitchen floors are made of ceramic tiles that you no longer like, you can always try to infuse some character into your kitchen by installing a new type of ceramic tile on top of your existing one. This type of project might sound more intimidating, so you can always regrout your existing tiles for a crisp look.
- Add an island
If you don’t already have an island in your kitchen, it’s time to add one. It’s not only a practical addition as it helps to expand your kitchen workspace, but it’s also a nice spot for a gathering with family and friends. Whether you’re going for a modern island or an antique one, make sure that it comes with plenty of storage where you can keep extra pots, Tupperware or even your silverware.
No matter how many storage options a kitchen has, it’s difficult to find room for all the kitchen tools. To avoid crowding your counter space as well as the inside of your cabinets, you can turn to self storage to keep a few items away from home until you need them again. For instance, your popcorn maker or your cotton candy machine can stay in a storage unit until your next party. If that’s all you’re planning on storing, renting a 5×5 storage unit will suffice. If you discover you need to keep more items in storage, but you’re not sure which size you will need, you can always consult this storage unit size guide to help you find the best choice for your needs.
