Is your kitchen looking a little tired? Whether you’ve just moved into a “fixer upper” or your current home just needs a refresh, replacing the entire kitchen can be an expensive, long and drawn out process.
Instead, you might want to focus on quick fixes – little changes you can make to freshen up your kitchen without having to spend a fortune. Here are seven of our top tips:
1. Transform your tiles:
Instead of ripping out and replacing your splashback tiles, use a special paint to give them a quick update, if you are not sure how to go about painting your tiles watch this YouTube video. A lick of paint will transform your tiles and help them look as good as new. Don’t fancy a plain colour? Invest in a set of tile decals instead. Look online and you’ll find self-adhesive stickers in a range of classic and trendy designs. We love these mosaic stickers by Pixers. They’re £39 for 24 stickers (15 x 15cm in size).
2. Work on those worktops:
You can dramatically change the look of your kitchen by replacing the worktops. Choose new kitchen worktops in a colour that will complement the space. Use to lighter colours to brighten up a smaller room, while darker colours are trendy and can add a touch of luxe.
If you’re on a budget, investigate laminate worktops first – they’re typically cheaper per metre. They’re also durable, easy to clean and pretty low-maintenance compared to their wooden and granite counterparts. We love the Black Laminate Worktop above from Worktop Express. Prices start at £60.
3. Correct your cupboards:
A whole new set of kitchen cupboards can cost a fortune, so consider updating the existing carcasses with a coat of paint and new handles. There’s a great how-to guide on the Dulux website, which you can read here. Finish your cupboard refresh with a new set of handles or knobs. We love the Marble Stone Handles from Graham and Green. They cost £6.95 per handle.
4. Freshen up your furnishings:
New curtains (or blinds) will radically transform the look of your kitchen with minimal effort and expense. Choose a bright colour to add a touch of cheer to the room. We love this pair of blue gingham curtains from Terry’s Fabrics. Prices start at £11.99.
5. Add new accessories:
While shopping for new curtains, keep your eyes peeled for coordinating accessories too. A new tablecloth will hide that tired, old table. Add placemats and dress the table with a centrepiece to create a lovely, homely focal point in the room. Don’t forget to replace your old, tired washing up bowls and draining board accessories too. We love the Joseph Joseph accessories, pictured below:
6. Style your space:
Look at your kitchen in a whole new way and style it like you’re preparing for a magazine photoshoot. A teapot, cosy and egg basket will look charming in a country kitchen, while a vase of colourful flowers sat on a mirrored tray will look fabulous in modern spaces. Looking for stylish kitchen accessories? The Contemporary Home stocks lots of lovely pieces, including the jugs pictured below:
Here’s another handy styling tip: Place a planter of herbs on your kitchen windowsill. This will serve two purposes: first, it’ll come in useful when you’re cooking up those culinary masterpieces and second, it’ll dress up the space and add a fresh flourish to your window!
7. Refresh your flooring:
If your flooring has seen better days, consider regrouting between the tiles – this will give your kitchen a whole new lease of life (assuming, of course, that the tiles themselves are still in good condition).
A brand new mat will also rejuvenate your kitchen. It can also add a much-needed burst of colour to an otherwise blank space. We love this kitchen runner from Modern Rugs, which costs £44.99.
