Sixteen Stylish Ways to Transform Your Kitchen
Sixteen Stylish Ways to Transform Your Kitchen
The kitchen is possibly the most well used room in the home, so it makes sense that it should be a space that not
only works well, but looks great and is a pleasure to spend time in. If your kitchen is looking a bit dated, or the space
doesn't work for you, there are a number of ways you can transform it:
Update with Paint
Painting the walls is a relatively easy change that doesn't break the bank, but can have a big impact on the feel of the
room. For a smaller kitchen, particularly if your walls are a darker colour, going for white or a light shade can really
make the room feel bigger. Painting a feature wall in a contrasting or complementary shade to the rest of the room
can also add some interest and design flair.
Change the Worktops
The worktops are one of the most fundamental parts of the kitchen; if yours are old, tatty or you just don't like the
style of them, then it can make you feel negatively about the whole room. Replacing the worktops can be done
reasonably quickly and there are a huge range of options with something to suit any budget and taste. From great
value laminated worktops that offer a wide choice of styles, to classic and timeless wood, luxury granite, quartz or
modern solid surface materials, this is an update that will make a big difference.
Replace Cabinet Doors
If you want to update the look of your kitchen but are happy with the layout and don't want to embark on a full refit,
replacing the door and drawer fronts can be a reasonably straightforward way to achieve a completely new look
and considerably cheaper than if you were also to replace all the cabinets as well. There are a huge choice of
colours and styles; from sleek contemporary kitchens to rustic and traditional. You can even mix and match
different styles or colours for a look that's completely unique.
Change the Layout
If your kitchen wasn't originally well designed, or previous occupiers of the property needed something different
from the space than you do, you might have a less than ideal layout. Whatever the case, changing the layout to suit
your preferences means that the kitchen will be more usable and enjoyable to be in. It's definitely a good idea to
speak to a professional kitchen designer before starting the project as they'll be able to help you to decide the best
position for things like the hob, fridge, sink and storage. You might also need to call in relevant professionals if you're
changing things like electrics or plumbing. Although it might seem like a big job, it's actually quite straightforward
and once complete you'll reap the benefits for as long as you live in the property.
Maximise Natural Light
Letting natural light into the kitchen not only makes the space feel larger, it helps you see what you're doing and
generally makes the room feel like a nice place to be. There are simple things you can do like removing heavy
window dressings, using lighter colours and adding more reflective surfaces, which can make a big difference. If
you're planning a larger scale project, installing additional windows, French doors or even skylights can completely
transform the space.
go for open plan
The kitchen is considered the heart of the home and modern families often find that they use their kitchens for a
range of activities; from relaxing with family to entertaining friends. If you're prepared to undertake a larger scale
project, removing walls between kitchens and dining rooms, hallways and passages enables you to create a large
open plan space with real wow factor. This is also a good opportunity to make any layout changes and install things
like folding doors to the garden to make the kitchen a space to spend time in, not just cook in.
Update With Accessories
Changing your accessories helps to update the look of the kitchen and also adds a personal touch. Accessories
provide an opportunity to add colour, and you might even want to match accessories to smaller appliances like
toaster and kettles. Think about textiles, like towels and table cloths, and also items that not only look good but can
be used for storage, such as interesting jars, boxes and containers.
Swap Your Hardware
Swapping cabinet hardware like handles and knobs for new ones can really help to update the look of your kitchen
and is simple and cost effective. Whether you want to upgrade to something ultra modern, or want to achieve a
more traditional look, the range of options is huge. You could also update things like taps, light switches and sockets
using matching materials and designs for a truly coordinated look.
Install New Flooring
Updating you kitchen's flooring is a great way to transform the space, even if you don't change anything else in the
room. It's important that kitchen flooring is functional and easy to keep clean, as there will undoubtedly be the
occasional spillage, but that doesn't mean it can't also look amazing. From wooden flooring to tiling to linoleum, the
options are limitless and this is certainly something that will make a huge difference to the look of the room.
Use Varied Lighting
Varied lighting is essential in the kitchen to enable you to undertake a range of activities. Hanging pendants for
example, can help to define a dining area and give a designer feel, whist under cabinet spot lights illuminate the
work area so you can see exactly what you're doing whilst cooking. You might also want to look at modern LED
systems that are not only energy efficient, but can provide a range of coloured lighting so you can change the look
of the room to suit different activities at the touch of a button.
Combine Different Textures
Using a combination of different textures and materials in your kitchen adds instant visual interest, even if the
overall design scheme is kept simple. Try combining the warmth of wood with contemporary high gloss cabinets,
introducing textiles or using a luxury material like granite for your worktops. Tiling, flooring and splashbacks also
provide opportunities to introduce a varied range of textures and materials.
Replace the Appliances
Swapping your tired old appliances for shiny new ones is a sure way to transform not only the look, but also the
usability of your kitchen, and give it a high quality premium feel. From large multi-burner hobs to stainless steel
American style fridge freezers and sleek integrated ovens, there are some great modern appliances available that
are designed to look fantastic and make your life easier. Look for energy efficient models and you may even find
they help to reduce your energy bills as well.
Mix Up Furniture
Changing your furniture is a simple way to instantly update the look of your kitchen. Combining different pieces,
such as several styles of chair around a table, brings a personal and designer touch to your home. You could also
invest in a wooden dresser to contrast with shiny kitchen cabinets, or browse auctions and antique shops for
something vintage. A slightly eclectic style, that can be achieved by combining different furniture styles, gives the
room an authentic feel whilst remaining on-trend
De-clutter
Perhaps one of the simplest ways to update your kitchen, especially if you're a bit of a hoarder, is to de-clutter. It can
also be one of the cheapest as a good sorting of all the cupboards, cabinets and surfaces requires nothing but time.
Whilst it may seem obvious, many people are surprised how many things that they never use congregate in their
kitchens over the years when they take some time to sort through everything. You might also want to look at
storage that suits your specific needs, such as drawer tidies and shelving or racks inside cupboards. Think about all
the items you use most often and try to locate these in easy to access spots; things that you use less frequently can
be put towards the back of cupboards or on higher levels.
Put in a Splashback
Spashbacks are designed primarily to protect plaster walls from splashes from the sink or hob, but also enable you
to add colour or texture to the kitchen. There are a huge range now available; whether you want to go for
something classic like a metro tile, professional with stainless steel or contemporary with glass or acrylic, the
splashback not only draws the eye and creates a focal point, but also serves a genuinely useful purpose. The
splashback can be a great way to introduce a pop of colour to the kitchen's overall design scheme, or can be used
as a more subtle way to integrate texture and interest into the room.
Add Personality with Art
If you have empty wall space in your kitchen, adding pieces of art can be a great way to inject some personality into
the room. Whether you choose a single large piece, or prefer a collection of smaller pieces, this can be a great way
to achieve a genuinely unique style. You might choose art that coordinates with your kitchen's colour scheme, or go
for a complete contrast. You can also use framed family prints, or stay on the kitchen theme with vintage restaurant,
food or drink advertising. The great thing about art in the kitchen is that you can always swap or change to update
the look whenever you like.