Simple Home Improvements for Your Kitchen

Kitchens are not merely a space for roasting chicken, baking apple pies, and preparing great casseroles. Kitchens have evolved into the place where families can gather and catch up on life events, or where the next Martha Stewart can share her latest creation with guests. It’s easy to see why homeowners would want to remodel this room, considering its importance in any home. Unfortunately, kitchen remodels are one of the most expensive remodels you can take on. If there isn’t too much money in the budget, use some of the simple tips below to transform your kitchen into a beautiful, usable space.

Choose a theme. Before embarking on your remodeling journey, choose a theme for your kitchen. For example, a traditional kitchen will keep your space timeless, a modern kitchen evokes sophistication, and a Tuscan design instantly brings in a sun-kissed glow. Whichever theme you choose, make sure that it will grow with your family over time.

Reorganize. If opening your cabinets is followed by a cacophony of pots and pans hitting the floor, then it’s time to reorganize. This may involve discarding unused dishes or installing shelves in your cabinets to optimize space. To begin, take an inventory of what’s stored in your kitchen and identify the best place for each type of item. Heavy pots and pans might work best next to the stove and plastic containers closer to your food prep area. Take into account your current workflow to determine what you need where. Items used less frequently can be placed in higher cabinets to make everyday items more accessible in lower cabinets.

Paint your walls. You can brighten a dark kitchen with cheery colors, such as yellow, or create comfort by adding orange or green. A good paint color can usher in a new mood or be the element that brings your kitchen theme together. Take into account your cabinets, lighting, and fixtures before choosing a color.

Add decor. There’s a reason why interior designers love adding flowers to finish off a well-designed room. In a kitchen, flowers can liven up a stark countertop or bring interest to your kitchen’s backdrop. You can also incorporate displays of colorful fruits and vegetables as another way to boost your kitchen’s appearance.

Update your backsplash. A new backsplash can instantly transform your kitchen. From stainless steel to mosaic tile to marble, you can create a beautiful backdrop for your entire kitchen. Stay traditional by changing the backsplash between your countertops and cabinets, or go dramatic by replacing the painted areas of your kitchen with tile or stone.

Install new fixtures. Fixtures put the final touches on your kitchen. The right knobs on your cabinets can enhance the beauty of the wood or give the paint personality. A striking faucet on your kitchen sink can serve as an interesting focal point for your room. When buying a new fixture, pick quality pieces that can stand the test of time.

Increase lighting. Layer your lighting by adding task, ambient, accent, and decorative lighting to your kitchen to create a warm, welcoming, and functional environment. Layered lighting eliminates dark areas and overwhelming light from single, overhead lamps. You will most likely already have one or more of these types of lighting in your kitchen. Task lighting aids in food preparation by brightening workstations—over the island, stove, or sink. Ambient lighting is a more indirect source of light and can serve as task lighting, but it is softer and warmer. Accent lighting helps to illuminate any artwork you may have in the kitchen or bring attention to your backsplash. Decorative lighting such as hanging pendants, chandeliers, or wall sconces help certain features grab attention. Use a combination of these four kinds of lighting to change the mood and look of your room.

If a kitchen remodel isn’t in the budget, you can still bring a new look to your kitchen with simple changes. Try one or more of the ideas above to help you breathe life into your most used space.