The majority of families spend a reasonable period inside their kitchens. It is not surprising since it’s at the heart of our home where we eat our meals or play games on the board, gather to work, and so many other things.
Today, as we spend much of our time inside our kitchens and living spaces, we’ve never imagined the room you have might look dated.
If you’re on a budget or aren’t ready to tackle the complete kitchen remodel, Here are some simple tips for breathing new life into your tired old kitchen.
1: Add Window Treatments
Many people think of their grandmother’s curtains with eyelets if we consider window treatment. However, today’s window treatments are contemporary, fashionable, and practical. They can transform any room, even kitchens.
Blinds or shutters made from faux wood are an ideal option for kitchen windows that are over a sink or next to the stove, often referred to as splash areas. They’re durable, won’t fade or crack, and are simple to clean. They also provide the ability to control lighting and privacy.
Roman shades fabrics, roller shades, or wood shades (woven shades made out of natural materials, like bamboo grasses, reeds, grasses, and Jute) are a great alternative to refresh the windows in your kitchen. They’re great for the modern minimalist kitchen and provide a simple option to add a splash of color, patterns, or textures.
Cellular shades are like other shades, but they provide an insulation layer that can improve energy efficiency. Cellular shades get made of honeycombed-shaped air pockets or cells. They create another layer of insulation between the window and the room temperature, making them an excellent choice for homes with extreme temperatures and kitchens with numerous windows.
2: Update the Kitchen Floor
The addition of new kitchen flooring tiles will surely make your kitchen look more modern. However, this isn’t an easy task to do yourself. You must remove the cabinets below to complete the job correctly. Some homeowners cut the existing tiles around cabinets to not remove them entirely. However, I wouldn’t suggest this. Moving your flooring is an excellent idea that can have a considerable impact. Still, it’s also a significant task that an expert should complete. With the many stunning tiles, you can create some fantastic designs.
But, as it is in a crowded area and surrounded by water sources, I’d recommend against wood flooring and instead use ceramic or porcelain tile. Ceramic tile and porcelain are more durable and also easier to maintain. Furthermore, the colors and styles are unlimited, and some tiles mimic wood flooring.
3: Change Your Kitchen Sink
Switching out the kitchen sink is another way to give your kitchen new life. There are two kinds of kitchen sinks, drop-in and top mount sinks or under-mount sinks. Drop-in or full mount sinks get placed on counters with a rim. They can be mounted on any countertop, secure with clips underneath. They’re simple to set up and can be inexpensive ways to upgrade the design in your kitchen. Additionally, sinks come with accessories, such as the cutting board, racks for drying, and a useful tray.
Undermount sinks are an excellent option, but they are more costly. You’ll have to speak with a granite fabrication company to complete the installation as they’ll have to remove the sink in the first place and connect it to the sink you need want. In addition, sinks with under mounts are only compatible with solid surface countertops like marble, granite, or composite.
Steel made of stainless is still the most sought-after. But, many companies are now offering different finishes, including white and black granite, porcelain, enameled copper, and cast iron. If you are able, it’s an excellent idea to replace the sink at the same time that you upgrade your faucet.
4: Change Your Kitchen Countertop
Making your countertops new is a significant task. I wouldn’t suggest this unless you’re replacing the lower cabinets of your kitchen and adding an island. However, with the countless colors, designs, and material options, updating your countertops will refresh your kitchen.
Quartz and granite continue to be popular options for countertops because they are easily maintained and long-lasting. But, unlike granite, quartz is porous, so it’s practically maintenance-free. In addition, there is a myriad of designs and colors available, and the possibility to replicate slate, natural stone, and marble.
Suppose you’re not planning to make a considerable change. In that case, Certain companies will be able to install a new quartz countertop on top of the existing countertop. The custom-sized overlay can get placed on any countertop, such as tile laminate stainless steel, granite, or butcher block.
Additionally, many houses have countertops made of laminate or Formica countertops. The laminate and Formica countertops have advanced since the 60s and are an economical alternative to quartz countertops or other stones. They come in a wide variety of colors and design options that can give an elegant look to your kitchen. Suppose screw screws get used to hold the countertop in place. In that case, you’ll be able to take the countertop off without causing damage to the cabinets.
Suppose you’re looking for something truly unique. In that case, laminate countertops can be repainted or coated with cement or resin to make a new design.
5: Update Your Kitchen Appliances
As with all items, appliances have an expiration date. They’re unlikely to break down simultaneously, so you should consider buying new models if you’re thinking about replacing your kitchen appliances, but they’re past their prime.
Today’s appliances are more energy-efficient, have Smart technology, and various colors and sizes. It can help you refresh your living space. Beware. Make sure to triple-check the dimensions of the new appliances to ensure that they fit into the existing space and fit through the door for access. Also, make sure you allow 1″ on each side of the refrigerator – this will allow airflow and stops the fridge from heating too much. Finally, ensure you conduct a door test to make sure you can open the door of your fridge and the oven’s door. It is essential to provide enough room to maneuver around the room.
6: Change the Lighting
A change in the lighting in your kitchen will increase the efficiency and atmosphere of the room. Have you ever thought to yourself, “the lighting isn’t working in this area”? I’m sure many homeowners consider this way at least once. Adding or replacing the pendant lighting over the breakfast niche, kitchen island, or table can lighten the space and add lighting for meals or schoolwork.
You can add more illumination to your kitchen using under cabinet lighting. LED lighting bars or light strips are simple to install, durable, long-lasting, and energy-efficient, without releasing lots of heat. They also come in various colors (warm-cool, excellent, and multicolored) with programmed sequences.
7: Glamour Your Wall or the Walls
A quick and easy method to make a kitchen appear more inviting can be to apply paint on the wall or create the appearance of an accent wall. Paint the wall is an easy job that homeowners can perform themselves. However, make sure you do your research, prepare yourself, and organize all the materials you need.
Another way to splash on the empty kitchen walls is to put up a large blackboard. It is a great place to write inspirational messages and notes or create an area for creativity for your children. You can build the chalkboard in frames or make one for your wall with blackboard paint. You can even paint it with magnetic blackboard paint, so you get double the excitement.
I’m a huge fan of adding color and character to the artwork on a blank wall. And the best part is that you have several pieces available to swap them out according to the mood or season.
Do you need a space to display cooking equipment, books, or other items? What better way to do it than with floating shelves. These shelves will give you the illusion of a neat, clear look of “floating” and add an airy and light look to any wall while being practical. Floating shelves are an excellent method to display cookbooks, canisters, plates, houseplants, or even herbs.
A final and fantastic way to spice up walls is to include the backsplash. A backsplash space could be small or large and the focal point of a room with creative tiles and imagination. There are many different tile types from which to choose.
8: Change Your Hardware
The simplest solution is to replace the hardware (door handles) with new ones. Single knobs are the most straightforward to replace since you will always be able to use those same holes. It’s also a perfect moment to locate the hardware compatible with the faucet or sink you are replacing. Hardware is available in various colors, and matte black seems to be among the latest colors like gold, copper, and polished nickel. There are a variety of designs to pick from, such as ceramic, metal, and glass. But what happens if you prefer to use cabinet or drawer pulls? Before creating replacement holes for the drawer pulls, the gap in one will need to get filled with wood filler, then coated and sanded. It’s still possible, but it’s much more effective when you also plan to paint your cabinetry.
9: Upgrade Your Cabinetry
The cabinetry you install in your kitchen could change the look of your kitchen without the complete gut. Think about replacing only the cabinet doors and the drawer fronts, especially when the cabinet box is in good condition and secured.
Another alternative is to paint your cabinets’ doors. If they’re in good condition, this is a method to consider as an easy and swift change in your kitchen. Wood cabinets are perfect for painting, but make sure they’re in good condition; if they’re damaged or warped, you’ll have to replace your cabinet doors entirely. Select semi-gloss or high-gloss paint since it helps reflect light and lasts longer. Select darker hues on the bottom and lighter shades for the top cabinets to make a statement.
A final point, painting cabinets for kitchens is a huge task! Consider the vast amount of preparation required, from removing cabinet doors and drawers and hardware, to thoroughly cleaning all surfaces and then sanding, priming, applying several coats of paint after drying, then returning it with brand new hardware. There are various factors to consider, and you may want to hire a professional! Instead of using a paintbrush, you should use a sprayer to apply the color for a more professional look.
10: Change Your Faucet
A suitable sink faucet is essential to having a functional kitchen. It doesn’t matter if you’re using an island sink or one that is part of the countertop’s perimeter. There are many facets offered with different functions and options. Naturally, you’ll want it to appear friendly. However, you must consider the size, reach, and pull-down sprayers. Traditional, the quantity of hole and handle within the sink set, as and finishes. For instance, you might prefer using a faucet with ceramic valves. They’re more reliable, last longer, and aren’t prone to drip.
A faucet with ceramic values because they are more efficient last longer, and also doesn’t leak. The height can be an issue if the sink gets located below cabinets or an island sink. However, measure it to ensure that it suits your needs.
The selection of finishes has increased dramatically in recent years. Still, I recommend choosing a finish that matches or enhances the cabinet hardware. Chrome is usually the most sought-after because it’s strong and simple to clean compared to other finishes such as bronze or nickel. Nickel and satin finish are long-lasting; however, they tend to reveal water spots and fingerprints and scratch or crack as time passes. It is also true for bronze finishes, usually known as “oiled or rub.”
The majority of sinks come with three holes: one for cold and hot water and an additional one to connect the spout. Most models have an extra cover plate that hides the other holes if you’d like to upgrade to single-handled faucets. Single-handled faucets are simpler to use, and adjustments to the temperature of the water are much more accessible. Numerous new faucets have to get introduced to the market in recent times. So, you might want to buy a faucet with an adjustable sprayer that can get pulled down, as they’re more valuable than standard sprayers. Motion-sense faucets have recently gained popularity in the new movement to improve your home health.
Ottawa Home Pros to make your dream kitchen remodel become a reality. You’re now eager to start your kitchen remodel, Request A Quote Today to talk with Ottawa Home Pros’ experts. Call the customer service team at (613) 288-9145 or Email at info@ottawahomepros.com.