Are you trying to figure out the best way to go about fixing up your kitchen? If you’re unhappy with how worn and outdated your kitchen looks, you’re ready for a kitchen facelift.
A kitchen facelift versus a kitchen makeover is a relatively quick and more affordable way to have a brand new kitchen.
Here are ten pro tips for improving, updating, and rejuvenating your current kitchen.
1. Make the Most of What You Already Have
If you’re hoping to get your kitchen done on a budget, the key to making it as affordable as possible is making the most of your existing kitchen components.
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint or new hardware to make something look brand new.
Keep what’s usable and repair, upgrade or replace what isn’t. When taking inventory of your current kitchen, make sure you’re realistic about what can be transformed and what needs to go.
2. Upgrade Your Existing Cabinets
Speaking of making the most of what you already have, try upgrading your existing cabinets. You can achieve a new look and a massive change without the hefty expense of new cabinetry just by adding new doors.
Kitchen cabinet refinishing is an excellent way to transform the look of your old cabinets.
Painting, re-staining, or adding trim to cabinet doors are other ways you can revive the appearance of aged cabinets.
3. Add New Hardware
Adding new hardware is one of the most inexpensive and effective kitchen facelift ideas.
New kitchen hardware – aka knobs, pulls, handles – will immediately enhance and update the look of your kitchen. Home remodeling superstores often carry tons of options for cabinet door hardware.
The key is to choose knobs, pulls, and handles that complement the cabinet finish, your kitchen’s architectural style, and other kitchen accents for a cohesive look.
4. Function First
When planning your kitchen facelift, you must think about function and efficiency first and think about how you will use the space. Take some time to study and note exactly how you use your kitchen, what you like about its current layout, and what you think needs changing.
A common rule for kitchen layouts is to keep it in the form of a working triangle. When mapped out, the arrangement between the range, the sink, and the fridge should form an equilateral triangle.
These are the three points of the kitchen you’ repeatedly visit while cooking, so it’s best to have them not too far from each other.
5. Avoid Mixing and Matching
It’s essential to keep the look of your kitchen as cohesive as possible when planning your kitchen facelift. If you’re going to replace your appliances, try to keep them as similar in look and design as possible. Consistency is key.
Opt for buying items in the same color and finish, and the same brand to keep it as consistent as possible. This design strategy creates a cohesive and well-thought-out designer look.
6. Select New Sinks and Fixtures
For the most basic kitchen facelift, go with a drop-in sink. Drop-in sinks drop into the hole in the countertop, and the installation costs are minimal.
Swapping out your faucets and other fixtures is another budget-friendly way to change the look of your kitchen. If you spend a little money on an eye-catching model, you can modernize your kitchen in as little as under an hour.
Go for a faucet with a gooseneck with a detachable head or a pull-out spray attachment. The difference between good and great is minimal, so why not get the best option you can afford?
Stick to one consistent fixture finish for all your faucets (stainless, copper, etc.) throughout your house. Mixed finishes tend to look like patchwork.
7. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
One of the quickest and most cost-effective kitchen facelift ideas you can do is give the walls a fresh coat of paint. A formerly dull white-walled kitchen will look brand new with an eye-catching accent wall.
The same can be done about a kitchen with garish colored walls that you’ve put off painting for ages, now is the time to breathe new life into those walls with a fresh coat of white paint.
If you love bright pops of color but don’t want to stare at loud colored walls every day, keep the kitchen paint colors neutral and keep the loud pops of color to your kitchen accessories.
8. Enhance Your Countertops
Replacing countertops is not a quick fix and not a cheap one either. If you live in an older house, chances are you have countertops with grout that has been stained or chipped.
Scrape off the top surface of the old grout and replace it with a fresh batch. Your tired tile will instantly look renewed with no heavy costs required!
9. Update Your Lighting
A quick kitchen facelift idea is updating your kitchen’s lighting. Go for a mix of overhead, natural, and under-cabinet lighting. Under-cabinet lights come in sets, are easy to install, and can be placed under your existing upper kitchen cabinets.
They create drama and a warm glow and can even be put on a dimmer switch for an extra designer touch.
10. Save on Space
Save precious counter space for your most used and your most precious items (looking at you, KitchenAid stand mixer). Install extra shelving in your kitchen cabinets or purchase shelf and pantry organizers at container stores.
You can also install under-cabinet storage racks or a backsplash rack for added space-saving solutions. Pull-down racks give you easy and instant access to kitchen essentials without the clutter of bulky knife holders or spice racks.
Backsplash racks usually take just a few minutes to install and offer easy access and stylish storage. Type “backsplash rack” or “under-cabinet rack” into any online search engine to find a range of styles at various price points.
Our 10 Pro Tips for a Kitchen Facelift
If you’re unhappy with how worn and outdated your kitchen looks, you’re ready for a kitchen facelift. A kitchen facelift versus a kitchen makeover is a relatively quick and more affordable way you can have a brand new kitchen.
We hope our 10 pro tips for improving, updating, and rejuvenating your current kitchen gave you some inspiration if you’re looking to give your kitchen a facelift!
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