Most people assume I have a stunning, state-of-the-art kitchen but sadly, they’re disappointed when I tell them what really lurks at home. My cabinetry is the original units that were in my house when we bought it and is homage to a long-defunct kitchen brand. However, as it was only a few years old when we moved in, I chose to update it rather than rip it out. Surely I could do something to tone down the lemon yellow units and matching knobs?
Once I got started, I discovered that it was easy to achieve quick and effective kitchen makeovers cheaply. Try one or try them all, you’ll be surprised at just how much of a difference you can make, whether you fancy a new look or some parts are just starting to look tired.
Quick Kitchen Makeovers
Grab a paintbrush
Image Source: Ecos Organic Paints
Slicking on a coat of paint is something you’re probably happy to do in your lounge but it’s often overlooked in a kitchen because it’s a little trickier to work around the cupboards. Invest in some kitchen and bathroom paint (which now comes in far more exciting shades than magnolia, white and cream) and protect the edges of your kitchen cabinets with masking tape. Try creating a feature wall of colour in an alcove or use blackboard paint to make it functional as well as stylish.
MORE THAN 1600 5✭ RATED KITCHEN SPECIALISTS READY TO HELP WITH YOUR KITCHEN MAKEOVER.
POST A JOB HERE
Special tile paint also makes giving your splashback a new look easy – the latest formulations are so good that if you’re a messy painter, like me, they’ll dry smooth and glossy. I painted the tiles behind my hob a year ago for a quick kitchen makeover and it still looks flawless.
You can even paint your kitchen doors themselves. Solid timber is the best base for this but you can also paint other materials by using the right type of primer and basecoat. Given that you can even paint over laminate doors, there’s no excuse for not trying a fresh new shade.
Swap your handles
I’ve often wondered why my kitchen knobs were the same colour as the cabinetry but they didn’t stay that way for long. They were simple to unscrew and replace with some inexpensive wooden ones – so changing the look of my doors this way cost me around £25 in total. Try swapping your handles for glamorous glass, burnished metal or gleaming chrome – but a word of warning – you’ll need to swap like for like (e.g. 30cm wide handles for ones that measure the same) unless you’re handy with filler for the holes left behind.
Work on your worktops
Image Source: Granite Transformations
Tired worktops can let your design down. If the idea of replacing whole lengths of worktop seems daunting, composite overlays could be the answer, simply fitting over your existing surfaces. Often more cost-effective than replacing with granite, your fitter will take a template of the worktops, before coming back to install the overlay surfaces, which takes around a day. Given that a recent study by Need A Property found that almost a third of people would offer over the asking price for a house if it had granite work surfaces, this is one fix that could end up paying for itself.
Get back to the floor
Image Source: Karndean Designflooring
As the fifth wall of any room, your floor deserves some attention, but replacing the whole thing can be a chore. Swap it for DIY easy-fit laminate planks and LVT (that’s luxury vinyl tiles to you and me) and choose a striking design. Wood, stone and other faux finishes are more convincing than ever so let your imagination run wild. Some ranges, such as Karndean’s Looselay, can be laid straight on top of your existing floor with a minimum amount of fuss. Just make sure your floor is level and smooth and get advice on installation from your retailer.
Need some help with your kitchen makeover? Post a job on Rated People in our kitchen specialist category to receive quotes from our qualified and trusted tradesmen.
I’ve read a few good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make this sort of wonderful informative site.