Giving your kitchen a facelift doesn’t have to mean going all-in on a full-scale renovation. If you’re ready for a change, but don’t necessarily want to start from scratch, keep in mind that not all remodels are full-demos. Sometimes, you can freshen up your space with a few minor updates that enhance your kitchen’s existing features, giving you a new look without the investment in time or expense.
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
Cabinetry
Renovating your cabinetry isn’t exactly an inexpensive or easy endeavor. It’s a lengthy and invasive project, but it’s ultimately worthwhile if you need it. Fortunately, it’s not always necessary. If your cabinets have good bones—that is, if they’re structurally sound with no rot, breakage, or sagging—you’re in good shape. The boxes are just your cabinet’s foundations, and they never really go out of style. In many cases, you can save time and money by refacing or resurfacing your cabinets.
These refinishing projects are all about breathing new life into your cabinets. Refacing means simply replacing the doors of the cabinets, usually in a similar material.
Trends in wood and other cabinet materials don’t change nearly as often as the trends in cabinet faces. It’s easy to tell when a cabinet face is out of date. For example, many homeowners find that the look of colonial cabinets ages poorly. In this case, refacing is a simple fix. A contractor will simply take the hinges off your cabinetry and replace the doors. Just like that, you’ve got brand-new cabinets!
If your entire cabinet needs a new look, you may prefer to opt for resurfacing. For this project, your contractor will sand down the surfaces of your cabinetry before wiping, priming, and painting it in the color and finish you prefer. While this is more labor-intensive, it’s still less expensive and easier than gutting and replacing your cabinets entirely.
Color Your World
If your kitchen needs a breath of fresh air, you may be considering a new paint scheme. And while a new coat of color is never a bad idea, painting a kitchen is no small feat. If you’re looking for a less-involved way to add a splash of color, adding a few colored accents is an easy way to spruce things up.
If you’re resurfacing your cabinetry, you could paint the lower cabinets a different color than the upper ones. This is a great way to give your kitchen contrast, especially if you’re working with an otherwise neutral palette. Countertop décor items are good candidates for a pop of color, as are drop lighting fixtures, decorative dishware, appliances, kitchen utensils, and open or floating shelves.
Backsplash and Tile
Tile plays a huge part in the look and feel of your kitchen. Of course, the most obvious example of tile in the kitchen is on the floor. Changing up your floor tiles is an awesome way to put a new spin on the space. A subtly geometric-patterned tile would look incredible with navy blue lower cabinets, and a classic diamond-shaped tile lends a vintage appeal.
But if replacing your flooring seems overwhelming, why not focus on the backsplash instead? Although your floor covers a larger area of square footage, your backsplash is at eye level, making it ideal real estate for a beautiful tile display. Bring some zest and personality into your kitchen with a custom design that’s all your own. Whether it’s a subtle pattern or an eye-popping art piece, a new backsplash brings lots of visual interest and immediately draws the eye.
Mix and Match Materials and Textures
Nothing brings the wow factor quite like a kitchen full of mixed and contrasting materials. Even though you’re combining textiles, your kitchen won’t look mismatched or poorly designed. Many diverse materials complement each other very well, even if they don’t match perfectly.
Keep color tones within the same palette, whether you’re going warm or cool. Juxtapose patterns against neutral tones. Play around with textures and styles. Ultimately, don’t be afraid of following your own creative vision. After all, it is your home, and this is your chance to highlight aspects of your personality and do something you’ll feel great about.
Ready When You Are
If you’re still unsure about how to combine all these improvement ideas into a cohesive final product, we can help. Schedule a consultation with our design-build team today. We’d love to learn more about your vision and show you how we can help you get a result you’ll love, always on time, and on budget.
