Renovating a whole kitchen space can easily be an expensive and time-consuming process. This may be the reason why many people end up neglected their kitchen interior, which can end up looking tired and shabby. I’ve been putting off tackling the kitchen so far, even though it’s definitely the most dated room in the house. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to your kitchen, even if you’re on a budget, that will update and refresh the room, and give it a new lease of life.
A Fresh Coat Of Paint
When the thought of re-tiling a kitchen fills you will dread, or if it’s simply not a feasible option for you, there are a few things you can do to achieve an updated interior space. A fresh coat of paint on the walls will go a long way and can lighten and brighten the environment. Think about using clean neutral hues – or stick with white – which will open up the space and breathe new life into a tired wall. A light backdrop will also allow you to add accessories and artwork of any colour or design, making it a versatile choice for your kitchen.
Tidying up those tiles
If your tiles and grout have seen better days, then giving them a thorough scrub with a homemade cleaner might be just what they need. Get your bicarbonate of soda, scrubbing brush, and your marigolds out, and see how much grime you can lift to achieve a shiny new surface. If the colour, or pattern, of your tiles, is on the bad side of 70s retro, there are paints you can use to cover up any dated designs. By investing a little more time in painting and cleaning your wall surfaces, you save a substantial amount of money on the cost of new tiles and having them fitted.
Upcycled cabinets
As for your mahogany brown kitchen cabinets, don’t worry; paint can fix those too. It might take a little elbow grease and a couple of coats, but you’ll save hundreds, even thousands, of pounds by not having to buy new cupboards or cupboard doors. Replacing cabinet handles and knobs are another affordable way to update the look – it’s all about the details!
Fixtures And Fittings
By simply updating specific areas of your kitchen environment, you’ll save money by not gutting the whole place and starting again; you’ll also be able to create a considered interior space, that will look great. Your sink and taps are key places that can look dated and a bit grim, so updating them will lift your kitchen counter space immediately. You don’t need to spend money on ridiculously over-priced basins in order for your kitchen to look chic either. Check out reclamation yards for some vintage steals, or have a look at companies like Tap Warehouse to grab a bargain, then rope in some help to fit your upgraded sink and taps.
Lighting it up
Light fittings and shades can also be a focal point to the room, especially when they light up preparation and dining spaces in your kitchen. Check out online auctions, charity shops, and vintage stores to try and source some light shades and fittings that have plenty of character, yet cost a fraction of the price than if you were to buy them new. For tips on cleaning and polishing up any metal fixings (I recently got a brass light fitting for the living room), take a look at this helpful guide: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/cleaning-metals-basic-guidelines/.
Reclaimed And Upcycled Furniture
Your kitchen’s tables and chairs can often be the place that the family hangs out at the most; so why not ensure that they provide your home with a splash of colour to brighten up your interior. If you can’t afford to purchase a new dining set, then it’s worth considering upcycling your old ones. Wooden tables and chairs are particularly straightforward to update; they can be sanded down and painted in your chosen colours in the space of a Saturday, Get your partner and kids involved to save even more time.
Think about choosing colours that will look great with your updated cupboards and tiles, and ensure you use a paint that can be wiped clean regularly, as there are always going to be spillages and stray bolognese at dinner time. For a more adventurous and eclectic look, you could replace your chairs one at a time, and source some vintage seats as and when you see them. Adding decorative cushions, in vibrant patterns and prints, will also lift a tired looking dining space, and will help to tie the room together as a whole.
Work tops
Your work surfaces needn’t be forgotten either; you can often find ex-display items on sale for minimal money in kitchen showrooms and on their websites, so it’s worth spending some time to have a look. See if anyone locally is gutting their kitchen; you could pick up a perfectly good worktop free of charge, and you’ll just have to invest in the right person to cut and fit it to your kitchen. There’s nothing more satisfying than finding a bargain, and it’s even better when it’s completely free.
A Shiny New Display Area
Adding some shelves to your kitchen wall is a great way to give the space a design feature and plenty of character. You can find cheap shelving in a variety of places, or even better, create your own. All you need is a piece of wood, a saw, some sandpaper, and some shelf brackets, and voila; a shiny new row of shelves to pop your wares on. Displaying cookbooks, glassware, dinnerware, and ornaments in your kitchen will bring it to life with your personality and memories. Try decanting foods into mason jars, and putting your first aid kit into an enamel tin; being creative with your storage containers and how you display them will ensure that your kitchen looks like something you’d find on Pinterest, and it won’t have cost you a fortune to get the desired look.
If you’re fed up with the overall look of your kitchen, I hope these ideas and tips have given you some thrifty design inspiration and will help you to tackle that room soon. I’m planning to decorate the kitchen properly over the summer so watch this space for updates and let me know your tips for decorating – I need all the help I can get!
This article is a sponsored collaboration. The pink links in the content indicate a sponsored link or information source. The blog post reflects my own experience and the sponsor hasn’t had any control over my content 🙂
