It’s almost that time of the year again! The holidays are quickly approaching and we’ll be spending even more time in our kitchens, which have long been the center of our homes. And during the holidays we’ll have even more family and friends in our kitchens. While there’s not enough time for a complete kitchen remodel before the holidays, there’s still time to do a kitchen facelift. Here are some ideas that will make a large impact but don’t involve a huge time (or financial) investment.
Paint is one of the least expensive ways to update your kitchen with a minimum of cost. Most of the permanent color, such as the cabinets, flooring, countertops and tile tends to be neutral. The options are endless for a fun color to brighten the walls. If your permanent colors are beiges/browns, try a crisp green, aqua blue or vibrant tangerine. If your colors are more on the gray side, try a buttery yellow, or even a bold red. If you’d rather stay more neutral, try a greige, which is nice blend of gray and beige, and looks much better than it sounds!
If your cabinets are looking dreary, there are products that can renew wood stained cabinets. Or if you’re looking for a bigger change, a new coat of paint can really change the look of your cabinets. If you’re tired of your 80’s style oak cabinets, a couple of coats of a bright white paint can really update your kitchen. If your permanent colors are light, a deep yummy chocolate will make your cabinets look shiny and new. New paint with the addition of new cabinet hardware can give your kitchen a whole new look.
New hardware can really update you cabinets. Drawer pulls and door handles are available in many styles and colors. Anything from a contemporary streamlined stainless steel to pulls that look like silverware or other fun shapes and designs.
Swapping out your outdated light fixtures is another quick way to update a kitchen. Many of us cook and eat in darkly lit kitchens. Older fixtures and those in new houses tend to be undersized, especially the one over the table. A new fixture for over your table can make a fabulous style statement. There are millions of choices from sleek contemporary styles to elegant chandeliers with sparkly crystals or bead-trimmed shades. Don’t forget under cabinet lighting. They can help shed light in those dark counter corners and really make a difference for performing tasks. They’re inexpensive and easy to install.
Kitchens have lots of hard surfaces and if you’re lucky, multiple windows. Window treatments can help soften those hard surfaces. Try adding a fabric window treatment like a valance, draperies or roman shades in a contrasting texture, color or pattern to your room. A window treatment can also add privacy and help with energy efficiency.
Luscious bowls of colorful fruit, vintage art posters of elegant women holding glasses of bubbly or steaming bowls of pasta are all fun subjects for kitchen art. There is a cornucopia of styles of food-related artwork. But just because it’s your kitchen doesn’t mean you have to have only food related artwork. Just about any subject will work and can add a well-placed splash of color. Don’t forget a few large colorful accessories for your counters. Beautiful glass or pottery bowls, canisters or even a small lamp!
And don’t forget those little special accents that coordinate your look. Upholstered seat cushions, pillows on chairs, tablecloths, placemats, table runners and coordinating napkins.
Just pick a few areas to focus your facelift effort and you’ll have an updated kitchen you’ll be proud to welcome your friends and family for the holidays.
