If you think “kitchen renovation” and imagine all the money in your checking account flying away while your kitchen undergoes major changes, think again. Yes, you can go that route, and many people get a beautiful new kitchen that way. But if you are in the market for a budget kitchen update, you’ll be amazed at the wow factor you can get with a little money and some elbow grease. Here are just a few projects to tackle that will make your kitchen really pop, either for yourself or when you’re preparing to sell your home.
Repainting
Many people with more dated kitchens assume there’s nothing they can do about the darkness in their kitchens. However, everything from more gauzy curtains to a soft-glow new light somewhere in the kitchen can make a world of difference. Pair that with strategically repainting in a lighter hue, perhaps an off-white or light grey, and you’ll both modernize and brighten the kitchen’s space. Especially if your cabinets are currently a dark wood and you’re not a huge fan, repainting can be the first and biggest impact of a kitchen update.
Replacing Hardware
While hardware is only a small part of the visual scene of a kitchen, it has an outsized effect on how you view the look and age of the kitchen. Simply removing old knobs, handles, and hinges and replacing them with newer, modern designed ones can totally change the look of the kitchen. Many people choose this kitchen update as a weekend project after repainting, and especially the combination is striking – you’ll feel like you have a totally new space.
Taking Off Cabinet Doors To Create Open Shelving
One of the latest trends in the “modern farmhouse” style of kitchen is to ditch the upper cabinets in favor of open shelving. An in-between solution is to remove the cabinet door and replace it with a door that has a clear window, allowing you to see into the cabinet and know what you have stored where. Not only does this make the kitchen just that little bit easier to navigate, it also creates a great opportunity to display your prize dishes, from china to crystal to simple but beautiful pottery. Let your open shelving modernize your kitchen while the contents of the shelves make it uniquely yours.
Changing the Backsplash
Want an even easier project? Re-evaluate the backsplash you want above the sink, oven, or countertops. In the past, backsplashes were often sedate and simple but if you want to wow a bit with your kitchen but are concerned that changing the paint color on the cabinets would be too big of a change, the backsplash is a great place to play around with color, texture, and patterns. Use the backsplash to bring all the discrete elements of the kitchen together and convey the classy, comfortable, or luxurious air that you want for your kitchen.
Through these and other small projects specific to your kitchen or kitchenette, you can slowly make the changes that will make your kitchen feel like it is all brand new without the price tag of a larger kitchen renovation.
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