If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, then it will see a lot of wear and tear as you cook, eat and enjoy the company of good friends and family within its four walls. There will, then, come a time when you need to think about sprucing up your kitchen.
If this time has already come, and you’re wondering how you can spruce up your kitchen in an affordable way in 2023, here are some simple ideas that will definitely revamp your kitchen without blowing your budget:
Give your cabinets a lick
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way in transforming your kitchen. Choose a new color that complements your decor, or opt for a classic neutral shade that will stand the test of time and get to work on repainting your old units.
There are a number of excellent tutorials online that will show you how to prepare and repaint your cabinets so that they look just as good as the expensive store-bought ones. Spray painting gives the most polished finish, but you can paint them the old-fashioned way too, as long as you take care.
Upgrade your hardware
Changing the hardware on your cabinets and drawers is a simple and affordable way to update your kitchen. Choose new handles and knobs that reflect your style and tie in with your decor. These days, you can get door pulls in the shape of knives, forks, and even lions, amongst other things, so don’t be afraid to have some fun with it all.
Swap out tiled for wood
The rustic, country kitchen look is really popular right now, as is the minimalist kitchen style, so why not combine the two by replacing your old kitchen tiled with white wall planks instead? It will freshen up the space, keep your kitchen on trend, and cost you a lot less than you might think. Best of all, you’ll be able to install the planks yourself with very little effort, so you won’t have to worry about hiring expensive contractors either.
Light it up
Good lighting can make all the difference in your kitchen. Whether you choose to install new pendant lights over your island, add under-cabinet lighting, or simply replace your old light fixtures, updated lighting can make your kitchen feel brighter and more inviting.
You can also have some fun with the lighting by installing string lights around the cabinets or wrapped over the doors, to add a more intimate level of lighting for those dinner parties and chilled-out family dinners.
Peel and stick your countertops
If your countertops are outdated or worn, but you cannot afford to replace them with new granite or marble or whatever, consider replacing them with a peel and stick version instead. They look just like the real thing, while costing a fraction of the real thing, which means, you can change the look and style of your countertops much more often if you learn the knack of applying peel and stick to your surfaces. Hint: a hairdryer is helpful.
Make a splash
A new backsplash is a great way to revamp your kitchen and add some new color at the same time. Choose a material that reflects your personal style, such as glass, tile, or stainless steel, and instead of sticking with boring old white or chrome, go for red or Moroccan mosaic or something more interesting instead, then you will really enjoy the impact that this simple upgrade can have on your kitchen.
Harness the power of plants
Adding some plants to your kitchen can add some life and color to your space. Choose low-maintenance plants, like herbs, succulents, or ferns, and enjoy the fresh and vibrant energy that they bring to your kitchen. If you choose wisely, you can also use your plants to enhance the flavor of your favorite dishes too, so be sure to pick lots of fragrant herbs to grow, like lavender and sage, for example.
Open up your shelving
Open shelving is a great way to add something new to your kitchen, as well as adding functionality too. Choose a wall to install your shelves, and use them to display your favorite dishes, cookbooks, and decorative items and they will become an interesting feature in their own right.
Update your sink and faucet
A new sink and faucet can make a big difference in your kitchen. Choose a sink and faucet that look good and maybe which have a unique modern design and they will definitely uplift the spade.
Invest in new appliances
If your appliances are outdated or worn, consider replacing them with new, more efficient models that have a more designer look and choose colors like p[astel pink or seafoam green to make things more interesting. Not only will this upgrade improve the look of your kitchen, but it will also make your life easier and more convenient.
Hang new curtains
If your kitchen windows are in need of a refresh, consider simply hanging some new curtains. Choosing some nice patterned curtains with images of corn or herbs can really uplift the space and give it a modern feel while investing in some heavy velvet curtains can turn the kitchen into a more formal dining space with ease.
Display your dishes
If you have a collection of favorite dishes or cookware, consider displaying them in your kitchen. You could hang them on open shelves, store them in a glass-fronted cabinet, or simply set them out on the countertop. This is a great way to add some personality to your kitchen, while also ensuring that you have plenty of space for all of your crockery and kitchen gadgets at the same time, so if you are short of space, it is a great hack that kills two birds with one stone.
Add some wall art
If your kitchen walls are feeling a little bare, there is no reason why you should not hang art there. So many of us spend so much time picking out the best pictures to hang in our living rooms, bedrooms and hallways, but we neglect the kitchen, when really, as long as it is framed to protect it from smoke and grease and various other stains, the kitchen is just as good a place to display one’s artistic tastes as any other room in their home.
Upcycle the kitchen table
If your kitchen table has seen better days, if it is wooden, sand it down, prime it and then repaint it in pastel lavender or with black chalk paint that the kids can draw on while waiting for dinner to cook, and it will become a unique focal point in the space.
If it is metal, then consider cutting out lots of interesting magazine images or fragments of wallpaper, and sticking them to the table with Mod Podge, to create a unique decoupage table that will really stand out and make a bold statement.
Out with the old
Last, but not least, think about getting rid of all the excess clutter in the form of old herbs and spices, old unused kitchen appliances and books you never use, and you will soon find that the kitchen looks instantly lighter, brighter and more modern without you having to do anything much at all.
As you can see, there are lots of simple, but very effective, things you can do to spruce up your kitchen in 2023 and ensure that your time spent in the kitchen, whether wining and dining or slaving at the stove, are some of your best yet.
What do you think?