Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It should be a place that’s both functional and beautiful.
There are many easy upgrades and additions that can help elevate your kitchen’s design. Some of these include adding a few key styling props, swapping out cabinet pulls for more stylish ones, or using different finishes to create an interesting look.
1. Add a Runner
As one of the most-used spaces in the home, kitchens can feel cold and sterile. Cozying up the space with a rug is a simple and affordable way to add color, texture and personality to the room. A runner is especially great for high-traffic areas like in front of the sink or stove, as well as narrow areas in galley kitchens.
When choosing a kitchen runner, opt for washable styles that hide spaghetti sauce spills and other inevitable food stains. Natural fibers like jute and seagrass, plus neutral colors and tight weaves are ideal for kitchen runners. If you want a more vibrant look, choose bold patterns and energetic designs to complement your kitchen’s style.
If you have a small kitchen, opt for a light-colored rug that brightens the room. For a larger space, use a rug with a dark hue to ground the room and provide visual depth. A neutral runner also makes it easy to add pops of color with accent pieces and other kitchen decor. For example, a patterned rug can complement mint green cabinets and rattan bar stools in this stylish kitchen design from designer Chauncey Boothby. For a bolder look, you can even tie the room together with an eye-catching backsplash or unique light fixtures.
2. Upgrade Your Everyday Items
If you’re looking for ways to elevate your kitchen without spending a fortune, focus on upgrading your everyday items. You’ll find that this approach can make your room feel fresh and new, even if you don’t change any other decorative elements.
For example, a simple swap like a new set of cabinet hardware can transform your room’s look and feel. There are tons of options available for knobs and pulls now, so you can get creative with this upgrade and create a unique look that’s all your own.
In addition, displaying a few stylish canisters and jars on open shelves can add more colour to your kitchen and draw the eye in. If you prefer a more neutral palette, you can also find glassware in a variety of finishes that will complement your existing color scheme.
Another easy way to improve your daily routine is by establishing a dedicated spot for organizing notes and to-do lists. A simple bulletin board, whiteboard, or chalkboard can be a great way to keep all your household reminders in one place. You can also add a few wall-mounted baskets for holding things like pens, pencils, and paper, or invest in a rolling drawer organizer that hides unsightly items.
3. Hide Unnecessary Appliances
A kitchen can look beautiful and stylish even with eye-catching appliances, as long as they don’t detract from the room’s design. By integrating appliances into your decor, you can hide them from view when they’re not in use and elevate the overall style of the room.
One way to do this is by building appliance garages or cubbies on your countertops that are designed to house specific appliances like blenders and mixers. These come with flip-up or sliding doors that can be closed when not in use, and they blend seamlessly into your cabinetry to keep your countertop clean and free of clutter.
Another way to hide appliances is by using an armoire or shelving unit that can be custom made to fit your space and house any appliances that aren’t in frequent use, such as a slow cooker or toaster oven. This can give your kitchen a sleek and modern feel, or you could select a unit that fits with the style of your home’s architecture for a more timeless aesthetic.
If remodeling your cupboards isn’t in the cards, you can still hide away unsightly cords by utilizing an extension cord organizer or using cable ties to bundle them together and hold them neatly out of the way. You can also opt for a sleek outlet cover that smooths over an existing outlet and reroutes the cord to a more concealed spot to keep your countertops looking clean and sleek.
4. Bring in Beautiful Serveware
This is one of the easiest ways to add a touch of luxury into your kitchen design without spending a fortune. Investing in beautiful serveware adds a pop of color and texture to your space. Look for pieces with bold, natural patterns to elevate the look of your kitchen. You can also opt for a more neutral color to tie in with your existing kitchen design.
If you’re looking to take your kitchen’s style to the next level, consider adding a statement piece above your island. Pendant lights come in all shapes and sizes, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your space. The best part? They’re a great way to draw the eye up and make your kitchen feel more spacious.
Kitchen walls covered in long blocks of cabinetry can look heavy and uninviting. To create a more open and airy appearance, consider incorporating cabinet doors with glass fronts. There are a variety of options available including clear glass, frosted glass, and deco glass. Choose a color that coordinates with your current kitchen color scheme and opt for matte finishes as they tend to hide dirt better than glossy ones. You can also incorporate glass jars and stylish canisters to add even more layers of color and texture to your kitchen.
5. Hang Up Your Hooks
One little change can make a big difference to how your kitchen looks. A simple refresh of the traditional back-of-door hook can lift your overall look. This carbon steel unit is functional and stylish and features a minimal form to avoid overstating the space. It is available in two finishes and comes with brass self tapping screws to mount.
Adding a patterned curtain behind your oven or dishwasher can make these appliances blend into the kitchen and appear less like an eyesore. This budget kitchen idea softens the look of any unattractive machines and can tie in with other accessories such as the colours of your walls and cupboards.
Consider a pop-up shelf to maximize unused space in your cabinets. This allows for storing more knick-knacks and makes the space feel bigger without looking cluttered or messy. If you aren’t able to change your cabinets but want to update the look, vinyl cabinet wraps come in many different materials and can mimic the appearance of wood, metal or concrete.
Geometric patterns are highly fashionable in homewares and can draw the eye vertically or lengthways to create the illusion of a larger space. This trick works particularly well in small rental spaces. You could also try painting a wall with chalkboard paint for a trendy look that is easy to clean and ideal for family reminders.
6. Place Canned Foods on Riser
If you want to keep your pantry organized and free of clutter, placing canned foods on a riser is an easy way to elevate the space. You can find risers that look like a set of stairs and stagger your cans to make it easier to see what you have on hand, as well as those that are adjustable to maximize shelf depth. These simple additions can give your pantry a streamlined look and help you save time by eliminating the need to rummage through jam-packed shelves.
A can riser isn’t just for pantries, though. You can also place one on a kitchen countertop to save space and help you be more efficient during meal prep. If you tend to overbuy canned foods, a simple tier-style organizer can help keep them organized so that you don’t end up with too many in your pantry.
If you’re on the hunt for more pantry storage solutions, try adding a built-in hutch-style cabinet to your home. These spaces are ideal for storing frequently used pantry items, such as canned goods, tea bags, coffee cartridges, and jellies that you don’t want to keep in your drawers or on an overflowing shelf. You can even hang a narrow crate inside to organize small items, such as plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
7. Upgrade Your Countertops
Countertops are the foundation of your kitchen, so upgrading them can elevate your whole space. Whether you need a simple update or an entirely new layout, a fresh surface will make a big difference. There are many options for countertops, from granite to concrete, butcher block wood, and even tile. The right choice for you depends on how long you want the changes to last and your level of skill. For a quick, inexpensive upgrade, try painting or covering with peel-and-stick paper.
If you’re doing a full renovation, consider installing new cabinets to match your upgraded countertop. This will create a cohesive look that will make your entire space feel brand-new.
Choose a durable material that matches the rest of your kitchen, like marble or quartz. It’s best to avoid trendy designs for countertops, as they’re likely to go out of style in a few years. If you’re worried about cost, talk to a professional remodeling company for ideas and budgeting tips. Upgrading your countertops is a smart investment for any home, as it adds value to your property. In fact, homeowners with well-designed kitchens often sell their homes faster and for more money. This is especially true for older homes with outdated linoleum counters.