Trying to transform your kitchen might mean overhauling appliances and even structures. In other words, it takes a lot of effort. However, there is always more than one way to skin a cat.
If your appliances aren’t broken, then let’s not replace them. If the walls and flooring are okay, then let’s leave it as is. In this article, we are allowed to be a bit lazy but not passive. We must still get the job done effectively. Here are five ways you can transform your kitchen with minimal effort.
Transform Your Kitchen
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Repaint – Retheme!
If you’ve noticed that the look of your kitchen is getting dull, then that is a sure sign that it is time to redecorate!
Replacing pieces of furniture or appliances takes a lot of time and effort. From scouting for the product, measuring the object, measuring the space in the kitchen it’s supposed to live, and comparing features and prices, you may get swamped by the end of the day; if it can even be done in a day!
Hence, rather than taking the old out and bringing in new, why not refurbish or recondition the items? During your day-to-day, wear-and-tear of the furniture and appliances are always expected. But to throw them out when they are in perfect working condition might be a little over-the-top. Hence a paint job is recommended!
You’d be surprised how much you can transform your kitchen with just this method. One great way of doing this is by deciding on a theme. Maybe you can go for a nature-esque look. Paint your cabinets, tabletops, drawers, or walls in a leafy-green colour to achieve this. However, contrast the green with a bit of brown as well to emulate wood. This is a form of country kitchen decor that would suit the theme!
2. The Backsplash
The backsplash is a panel that protects the wall behind a stove or sink from splashes during cooking and cleaning. But, it is also an opportunity for decoration or redecoration. This is one of the easier ways to freshen up the ambiance of your room.
A good tip is to not cheapen on the quality of the material you plan to use. It’s better that this withstands the test of time. Also, a certain style can emulate an era in Earth’s history, depending on the material you use. Keep this in mind because you wouldn’t want to be in the medieval era on the left side of the kitchen, and with the Jetsons on the right.
It would be best not to mix and match styles. It’s good to stay consistent and loyal to the theme you’ve decided. If you want to continue with the nature-esque theme, then maybe consider painting your backsplash brown if the overhead cabinets are green. You could even hire an artist to paint that section as leaves of a tree or the crown of the tree.
Also, I’ll list a few more suggested designs for you to think about.
- Moorish Tile
- Palm Beach Style (personal favourite)
- Glossy Black
- Moroccan Tile
- Herringbone
- Mosaic
- Marble
- Crackled Ceramic
- Glazed Tile
- Reclaimed Wood
- Teflon Coating
However, if you’d like to use paint or wallpaper, but are conflicted between the choices, it’s best you learn about their respective pros and cons first.
3. Cupboard door
Another stylistic idea to help revamp your kitchen while simultaneously making it feel less cumbersome is to do away with the door and hinge of the cupboard. You may use and transform those spaces into open counters instead.
Showing off your porcelain exudes vibrancy and adds an air of classiness to your kitchen’s ambiance. Not to mention how much easier it is now for you to access and arrange them. However, it might be best to do away with this suggestion if you are in an earthquake-prone area of the globe. You can most likely imagine why!
The best part of this method is that if you ever replace your fine china, simply putting the new ones in an orderly manner will make this section of your kitchen look sleek. That’s a quick and easy way to transform your kitchen! You may even take this opportunity to further zero-in further on your chosen theme.
4. Reduce Clutter!
Take a good long look at your kitchen right now. Does it look like you’re cramped for space? If so, take a good look at it again. Use your imagination for this one. You might find an area, above or below, that can fit another cabinet, rack, or shelf. Make your own plate rack or shelf. By way of storage, you make the best out of small kitchens.
Installing another shelf will mean that you have another place to arrange what you need to; thereby reducing clutter. It is a fantastic method to transform your kitchen. By simply removing clutter, you give your kitchen a cleaner and more organised look.
Also, if you enjoy DIY projects and feel as though you know what your kitchen needs better than anyone else, then maybe you’d like to try building your own plate rack?
- Remove a shelf door
- Install a prison-like fence (just enough space in between bars to fit your plates)
5. Replace Cupboard, Cabinet, or Shelf Knobs
Some would think that the knobs on different compartments are tiny, insignificant details. They can even be easily overlooked. However, that with a little thought towards the design, this can change the aesthetics of your kitchen dramatically.
The knobs can include accents of shading and identity. If you have a theme, sharpen the detail further by letting the knobs join in. If it is difficult to mix and match colours, give thought to jewel-like knobs. These are pleasant to the eyes while providing a firm grip for functionality.
You can even try out little-patterned designs. Your imagination (and the item’s availability) is the limit!
Consistency and Dedication
You don’t need to go as far as to execute a complete makeover of your kitchen to breathe life into it. Simple design changes, a little sprucing up, maybe even a wallpaper is all it takes to experience a dramatic change in its ambiance.
However, should you decide to replace any old appliances with newer ones, keep in mind that you would be helping mother nature out a lot by choosing the appliances that are energy-efficient. These reduce the carbon footprint emission from your kitchen; thus helping stave off global warming.
Do not fret. It’s all about following through. When you’ve chosen a design, stick with it. However, the most important thing is to see it through. Stopping midway of transforming your kitchen might make it look worse than before.
Photo by Victor Rodriguez on Unsplash
