The average kitchen remodel can run into thousands of dollars and it’s not really surprising. The kitchen plays a big role in your home and they take up quite a bit of space too. If you’re going to replace tiles, countertops, and cabinets, it all adds up. Unfortunately remodeling your kitchen also takes a lot of time. Plus you’ll have to work around the contractor’s schedule.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up your kitchen a bit this year. Whether you’re hosting dinner parties or simply enjoy baking cookies for yourself, your kitchen could probably use an upgrade or two.
What can you do that won’t break the bank and also not take up a lot of your valuable time? Here are a few quick upgrades for your kitchen this winter:
Focus on one visible item
The sink is perhaps the most visible big thing in your kitchen, apart from the more expensive appliances. It’s easy to ignore the sink when thinking of remodeling. So a lot of older kitchens might have new cabinets or appliances side by side with a cracked sink. While replacing a refrigerator or double oven is expensive, a new sink won’t crush your wallet. The best part is that it doesn’t take long to install one.
Stainless steel sinks are a good bet when it comes to both looks and functionality. They’re also easy to wipe clean after some heavy duty dishwashing! If you’ve always wanted a double sink or a more spacious one in a different shape like the Blanco Quatrus Super Single, now’s the perfect time to go for it. If you like the sink you have, try replacing the faucet for an inexpensive remodel.
Swap out handles and knobs
If you inherited an older kitchen, chances are you’re tired of looking at the same old handles. Switching out cabinet pulls and knobs is a quick and easy upgrade. Handles in brushed nickel finish are all the rage right now but you can look for more colorful options as well. If your local hardware store doesn’t have anything you like, look online at hobby or craft stores for inspiration.
Replace cabinet doors or paint them
Tired of looking at the same old cabinets? Try replacing a few of the doors with glass for a modern look. If you don’t like displaying your cutlery, choose frosted glass instead. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even opt for open shelving. It might take a little more effort to keep them clean but it will make a small kitchen look more spacious.
Replacing cabinet doors can take some time though. For an even quicker upgrade, try painting them a different color. Warm colors like red and orange work wonderfully in any kitchen. Dark colors can make a large kitchen cozier. A few coats of paint can work wonders for an old or outdated kitchen.
Choose a color scheme and accessorize around it
Citrus colors like yellow, red, and orange can really change the look of a kitchen. While a yellow refrigerator might be a bit much (not to mention expensive!), you can get smaller appliances in bright colors. A cherry red toaster or yellow blender can brighten up your counters. The best part? You can always put them away if you change kitchen decor later on.
You don’t have to limit yourself to kitchen appliances either. Stick to your theme when shopping for dish towels, coffee months, pot holders, and other small items. A consistent color palette throughout the kitchen will make it look cohesive. If your family eats in the kitchen, you can also get new table linen in coordinating colors.
Update the lighting
Lights can change the atmosphere of any room but they pull double duty in the kitchen. You need functional lighting in certain areas like above the sink and stove. Try putting some lights in cabinets to eliminate shadows and make finding things easier. If you’re concerned about energy bills, LED lights are a great option. Once you have the functional upgrades down, select some fancy pendant lights for a brand new kitchen!
