A kitchen is the one area of a home that buyers scrutinized closely when looking at a home for sale. Whether you own an original home in Lake of the Woods, an early 2000’s home in Somerset, or a new construction home in Wilderness Shores, at some point all kitchens need a little love and attention. While you can spend tens of thousands of dollars in an overhaul, sometimes just some simple changes and investment of your time will help give your kitchen a new, fresh look without breaking the budget.
1. Update the hardware One of the easiest ways to add new life to a kitchen is to change up the hardware. Adding pulls to cabinets or swapping out pre-existing ones for something new can change the feel of the space. If it is not in the budget to get all new pulls, consider spray painting the ones you have to give them a fresh modern color and sheen.
2. Add light Do you still have the builder grade fluorescent box light that came with the home? It’s time to switch it up. Adding pendant lighting over an island can help to customize your kitchen. Make sure to match all the lights in the area to give a cohesive look. You can always take the old light fixture over the breakfast nook, give it a fresh coat of paint, and switch out the light shades.
3. Get new blinds and curtains If you are skilled with a sewing machine, you could grab a couple yards of fabric and have custom curtains. For those of us less gifted in that department, stores like Kohls often run sales on curtains. Think about using sheers if your kitchen get less light.
4. Paint, paint, and then paint Changing the color of the walls in the kitchen can make a big impact. It can help to add light to a dark area. Don’t forget about the ceiling too! Our home had a darker putty color on the ceiling and a fresh coat of white paint really helped to highlight the tall ceilings. Painting cabinets can make a big impact as well and can be done by a homeowner, but it does require a time commitment. Stop in at your local hardware store to get some advice about the type of paint and prep materials needed to complete the job.
5. Add Open Shelving Do you have a large wall or nook with open space? Add some shelving to display your favorite dishes, plants, cookbooks, or other favorite things.
6. Put in Under Cabinet Lighting Add more evening light to your kitchen by mounting lighting under the cabinets. A quick search on the internet will yield lots of possibilities. My favorite is the remote control lighting that lets you turn everything on and off at once.
7. Install a backsplash A weekend project, adding a backsplash can add some texture and color to your kitchen. It can be a focal point and make cleaning around the stove or sink easy.
8. Get coordinating rugs and runners Having a rug by a door in the kitchen makes sense. It catches dirt from shoes before someone walks into your home. If you’ve ever spent an afternoon meal prepping or made a holiday dinner, then you know that having a comfy runner under your feet makes all the difference. Find a set that coordinates. Stay away from high pile carpets that wear easily and look old quickly.
9. Swap out the sink and faucet Have a little more room in the budget? Think about switching your sink for a new one that can be a focal point of the room. Upgrade your faucet to match or compliment the other hardware in the kitchen.
10. Reorganize and declutter Many people are unhappy with the storage space in their kitchens. If you are feeling like the room is lacking, take a weekend and declutter your space. Other than special dishes, chances are the things you find in the back of your cabinets aren’t being used and can be donated. Adding shelves and containers into your cabinets to help organize your kitchen items and maximize your space. Any extra shelf or pull out drawer in the large cabinets can give you more area to store pans and backing dishes.
Using these simple and easy tips to upgrade your kitchen can make a big impact in the space. Looking for other home tips? Check out these blogs:
