Kitchens and bathrooms are of particular interest to both guests and potential buyers, too. Putting some time and energy into making the kitchen look good and feel welcoming makes sense. Let’s take a look at some quick, relatively easy and inexpensive ways to update your kitchen in less time than it takes to defrost a holiday turkey.
Paint
You’re probably not surprised that painting is considered one of the fastest, easiest and least expensive ways to spruce up a kitchen or other room. Although kitchen painting can be somewhat challenging with all the cabinetry and appliances, you can still do the job in an afternoon. The key is in the prep. Tape off cabinets, molding and countertops, and cover the floors and counters to protect them from drips.
Although oil-based paints are a good choice for the kitchen because they’re durable and easy to wipe down, newer style acrylic, latex paints are catching up in the durability department. They also dry fast, produce less odor than oil based paints and cleanup quickly and easily.
Tip: If your kitchen opens to a breakfast nook or other location, you can often make the space look larger by using the same wall paint color throughout.
Reface Your Appliances
You’re more likely to replace a refrigerator because of its worn appearance or outdated features than because it’s suffered a catastrophic failure. If your refrigerator or other appliance is functional but not that attractive, you can do more to dress it up than cover it with a magnet collection. Refacing your fridge, dishwasher or trash compactor will give it a whole new look, and may encourage you to keep it around a few more years, too.
There are quite a few refacing options. You can:
- Paint. Painting an older appliance is a creative solution. You can choose from high gloss or metallic paints that include special additives to increase their durability or functionality. Explore paints that work well with plastics or are heat resistant. For an integrated look, there are high gloss paints with metallic finishes that can mimic the appearance of stainless steel, too. Another popular choice is to paint appliance doors or fronts with either black or colored chalkboard paint to create an instant message center. Chalkboard base paints can be tinted almost any color.
- Add panels. Some appliance manufacturers as well as third party suppliers offer panel kits designed to install on existing appliances. They cost more, but offer a more professional look than a simple paint job. This budgetary choice could help transition an older appliance into a more formal makeover.
- Add metallic film. If you want the look of stainless steel at a fraction of the cost of the real thing, there are faux steel specialty films designed especially for appliances. They’re sold in adhesive backed rolls that can be cut to length and installed relatively easily.
Note: Because their exterior surfaces can get quite hot, refacing ranges and stoves isn’t typically recommended.
Switch Out Your Textiles
When you’re after a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive kitchen makeover, update your textiles. Fabric items like area rugs, curtains, towels, potholders, runners and tablecloths, soften the sometimes hard and angular lines of appliances and countertops in a kitchen. They also add interest, texture and color.
For example, switching to shears and light colored rugs in spring can make the space look larger and airier, while adding earth tone plaids and nubby textures can make it seem cozier and warmer in fall. Even better, many manufacturers offer coordinated kitchen items.
Declutter
Too much stuff in the kitchen can seem convenient, but when all those countertop “aids” begin to hog the available space, they become more of a hindrance than a help. If your countertop workspace has dwindled to a few inches, it’s time to regroup.
One useful approach is to identify items you use every day, regularly or occasionally. Occasional items don’t belong on your countertops. Stow them in less accessible cabinets, or even in another room if “occasionally” means once or twice a year.
As for the rest, make sure you have enough space to see and access items in your cabinets and refrigerator, as well as enough countertop space for at least two roomy workstations.
Replace Cabinet Hardware
If your cabinets are in pretty good shape but need a little pizzazz, try changing out the hardware. This includes drawer pulls and cabinet knobs. Most new cabinet hardware is offered in standard sizes, so measure the distance between the holes drilled in your cabinets and take an old knob or pull with you when you shop, just in case. Most large home improvement retailers offer a wide variety of replacement hardware for cabinets. You’ll be surprised at how much this simple update will change the look and feel of your kitchen.
Add Natural Elements
Kitchens are where magic happens, and that often involves natural ingredients. When you decorate with natural elements like nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even rustic materials like burlap and jute, you honor the space and its function. It also gives you an easy way to switch out decorative touches seasonally. Adding a basket of fresh oranges or a glass bowl filled with unshelled nuts to your countertop may seem unimaginative, but food and nature are both powerful and welcoming symbols of hearth and home.
Include A Theme
Themed kitchens are so common they’re a cliché, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a bad idea. Themes and focus pieces like rugs, runners and wall art make decorating easier. Putting a personal stamp on a kitchen or other space can be very satisfying, too. The trick is in recognizing the point where “enough” turns into “too much.” Indulge your passion for strawberries with some themed art and a few fruit tchotchkes, but keep it subtle and tasteful. Here are some ways to showcase your favorite theme:
- Curtains
- Area rugs
- Mugs
- Trivets
- Coasters
- Place mats
- Cookie jars
Turn Out Your Cupboards
Open shelving options have become popular over the last few years, especially in kitchens where they bring color and interest to an area that’s all too often filled with dark and imposing wood cabinets. Even if you don’t like the idea of storing your stuff in plain view, consider displaying some of your kitchen items as art on wall mounted shelves. After all, you probably paid plenty for those serving platters and glass carafes. Why not show them off?
