How would you describe a dream kitchen? Is it simple or sophisticated? Or maybe a combination? You know what it looks like, but the details are blurry. Remodelling a kitchen can be expensive because the hub of the home is finish- and material-intensive, not to mention the electric, plumbing, and mechanical requirements. Maybe so, but you can design your dream kitchen without spending a fortune; you’re not stuck in what you’ve got. Ultimately, it’s up to you to keep costs down for your kitchen remodelling project. Regardless of where you are in the planning process, make sure to check out these tips.
Paint Your Chairs
Seating in your kitchen gives you a chance to socialise with your loved ones. If more than one person is with you, cooking is no longer a solitary activity but a family affair. Good chairs made using high-quality materials don’t wear out easily, but they don’t last a lifetime either. Even the sturdiest seating deteriorates over time. Change up the colour of the chairs and protect the finish using a sealer or topcoat to increase their lifespan. Indeed, painting the chairs with all their spindles and turned legs is tricky and time-consuming, but you have seating that better matches the kitchen’s layout.
Now, all you have to do is ask yourself: What colour stands out? If dark grey is the predominant colour, paint the seating green for a modern colour combination. Just so you know, grey works with many different tones of green, including army green, emerald, hunter green, jade, and olive, to name a few. Remove the varnish, giving the chairs a light rub with sandpaper to eliminate scratches, apply four or five coats of paint, and use varnish to make the finish more durable. Buying the cheapest paint brushes you can find is a huge mistake because it’s impossible to get a perfect result, so it’s recommended to spend a little bit more upfront.
Replace The Cabinet Doors
If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford to replace the complete units, replace the doors to give your favourite room a facelift. New kitchen doors cost a fraction of what it would cost to replace the cabinetry (or remodel the entire kitchen), there’s no need to halt other activities, and you can improve your DIY skills as you don’t need to hire a contractor – if you’re up for a little bit of work with some basic tools. Consider ordering a sample to compare the design, colour, and finish against the cabinet doors in your home. Measure the width and height of your cabinets in millimetres and add half an inch to all sides to make up for the distance your doors overlap the frame of the cabinet.
Hang Some Art
Contrary to popular opinion, art isn’t just for living rooms and bedrooms. It looks great in the kitchen, too, so add a few pieces that complement the décor. The space instantly feels more like you. A painting, whether a professionally painted original or a piece your kids created for you, will fit in any home you live in, easily transforming the dull wall space, so it’s a wise investment if you move frequently. If you have paintings handed down to you from your grandparents, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t put them above the stove. Place the piece of art anywhere there’s a window if you have a tiny kitchen to avoid the steam.
The walls of the kitchen lend themselves to works of art that reflect the function of the room, which means that you can have paintings of fruits and vegetables or botanicals. Here’s a thought: Why buy a piece of art when you can make one yourself? It’s such a fun activity that your children won’t be able to resist it. Be prepared for whatever mess comes out of the painting activity, gather your supplies ahead of time, and use Pinterest if you need a little bit of inspiration. As you can imagine, the possibilities are almost endless for what you can create.
Swap Out the Hardware
A simple change that can immensely transform the look of the entire room, hardware can add both charm and function that can last for years on end. Why don’t you trade your existing drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, appliance pulls, and cabinet hinges for ones in a metallic tone like brass? Brass isn’t limited to a specific design style, meaning that the hardware can be made to complement the kitchen’s style for a cohesive look. For instance, if you have a farmhouse or rustic-style kitchen, you’ll have the hardware to achieve a quintessential décor. Remember that the final cost depends on the material(s) you opt for and the customization.
Add A Rug
Most kitchens have hardwood flooring or some sort of vinyl product, which are easier to take care of. It seems like there’s no point in having a rug. Just wondering, is it a thing of the past? Actually, no. If you’re looking to give the hub of the home a refresh for the new year, you might want to take into account the possibility of installing a rug because it will create a nicer look, add warmth and character to the kitchen, and reduce the noise to some degree. The busier the pattern, the better; it will hide spills and stains. Your kitchen has multiple smooth surfaces, so it’s a good idea to introduce some texture.
Conclusion
There are plenty of upgrades for your home, so you don’t have to break the bank to bring your kitchen into the present day. Pick out what’s right for your kitchen and give it the facelift it deserves, even if you’re not in the budget at the moment. There will never be a day when you don’t have a reason to step into the kitchen – it’s where your day starts and ends – and the layout helps you spend more quality time with your family. Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, you must keep that heart beating.
