If you’re anything like I am, and you’ve lived in your house for two or more years, no matter how much you updated things when you moved in, there’s bound to be a room you are now itching to repaint, rearrange, or even remodel completely.
For me, at the present moment, it’s my kitchen. I love to cook, and bake for friends and family almost every weekend (it’s my outlet after a long week at work, but that’s a whole separate topic) and right now I find my kitchen far less than inspiring.
So what to do? I did a little research and was pleased to discover that there are simple and budget friendly changes that can be made in just a few hours, or you can go for a complete overhaul that will require big bucks and weeks or even months without access to a key room in your house.
I’m opting for a mid-range makeover myself, (counter tops and appliances will stay as they are) which will include a new color on the walls, re-staining my now natural cabinets in a much darker shade, and the possible addition of a small free-standing work station (because you can never have too much counter space).
I’ve listed a few of the suggestions I came across below. They start with simple and progress to sophisticated. Just remember, all good design starts with a clear vision followed by a plan of action. Some things you can tackle yourself on a weekend, others may require the assistance of a professional, but whatever you chose, remember it has to work for you, so keep it personal.
- Add Some Sparkle – simply changing the metal finish of your hardware, faucets, switch plate covers and light fixtures can give your kitchen a whole new look.
- Add Color and Light – choose a new and fresh paint color for the walls and adjust your current lighting to be both more functional and more flattering.
- Refinish the Cabinets – believe it or not, almost all cabinets in good working condition can be re-stained, re-painted, or faux finished to completely change the look of your kitchen. This is much less time consuming and much more cost effective than replacing your cabinetry. Keep in mind that the cabinet color should contrast with the wall color (dark walls – light cabinets, and vice versa). If you’re feeling bold or going for a true designer look, choose two coordinating colors for the cabinetry and apply the lighter one on the top set of cabinets and the dark color on the bottom cabinets.
- Update the Backsplash – decorative painting or tilework will add an updated focal point to your kitchen without having to re-do all of the tile work in your kitchen. Just be sure it coordinates seamlessly with the existing tile.
- Add Appliance Panels – If you don’t need to replace your appliances, but would like to update their look, appliance panels now come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, colors, and finishes.
- Replace the Counter Tops – If you’re less than satisfied with your current counter tops (or the color you inherited when you purchased the house) and are willing to make the commitment to replace them, granite is still the top choice. Marble and concrete are both popular choices as well, just keep in mind that you may want to stick with a neutral color to have more flexibility in the future. It’s easy to change the paint color on the walls, but not so easy when it comes to custom counter tops.
- All of the Above - If you’re thinking of taking on a complete kitchen remodel, do some homework to get a sense of the style you’re looking for and then call a professional. There are so many choices to make and options to consider, that if you’re going to make the commitment, you’ll want to be sure that no details are overlooked.
Once you have decided what you would like to update or change, running your thoughts by a qualified person may prove helpful in finalizing your plan. The right consultant (anyone from a friend with a great eye for design to a true design professional) may be able to offer suggestions you may not have considered or challenge you to step a bit outside of your comfort level and try something new.
The easiest place to be bold is with your color choice for the walls. If you end up loving it, you’ll be glad you took the risk, and if you don’t, it’s only paint and can be repainted fairly easily to suit your comfort level. So, if you too feel your kitchen is a bit drab, here’s to making it fab(ulous)!
