The kitchen is usually the central gathering area of any home. If you’re getting tired of having people stare at your outdated kitchen, maybe it’s time to think about remodeling. Why spend thousands of dollars on a new kitchen, though, when you can spend only a few hundred to make it look like new? Unless you want a completely different layout, you can use these inexpensive alternatives to a complete remodel to make you and your wallet happier.
Clean It
You’d be surprised what a deep clean can do for your kitchen, and cleaning should be the first step in any project you take on. Take the time to dust and clean fans and vents. Clean behind and under appliances. Deep clean counters and wash the cabinets. Remove light fixtures and clean them carefully. Mop the floors and wipe down the backsplash. You’ll be amazed when you step back and look at your newly cleaned kitchen.
Paint It
Most people get tired of looking at the same cabinets day after day. If you have darker cabinets and not a lot of light, your kitchen may feel dark and gloomy. Luckily, there’s a way to brighten your kitchen without having to replace everything. If your cabinets are structurally sound, repainting them may give them the facelift they need. If your cabinets are dark, try painting them a lighter color like white or beige.. If they’re already light, try a different bright color like yellow or green.
Dress It Up
One of the quickest and least expensive ways to update your kitchen is to simply change the hardware. Changing out knobs and handles is a great way to breathe new life into your kitchen. You could also try removing overhead cabinet doors to help open up your kitchen. If you like the open-cabinet look but don’t want to sacrifice safety, try putting in glass or wire mesh inserts. Installing a new kitchen faucet will also help drastically change the look and feel of your kitchen. If you’re trying to be energy-conscious, now you have an excuse to get that low-flow faucet you’ve been wanting to try.
Organize It
Maybe you’re considering remodeling your kitchen because you simply can’t find anything or don’t have the storage space you’d like. Take the time to figure out what you use most and how to make it easily accessible. Reorganizing your kitchen may be the key to all your problems. Install a lazy susan in a cabinet or put shelving in your pantry. Use towel racks on cabinet doors to make a great place to store pot lids.
Light It
For a more drastic change, consider switching out light fixtures. Letting more light into the kitchen can make it seem bigger and being able to see what you’re cooking makes preparing meals a lot easier. Installing under-cabinet lighting is a great way to brighten your kitchen. You can also take this time to replace old, incandescent bulbs with LEDs or CFLs to make your home more energy efficient.
