Give your kitchen a speedy makeover in time for Christmas with these quick fixes by Claire Lancaster
With the trend towards open-plan kitchen / living rooms in recent years, the kitchen really is the heart
of the home and this is particularly true at Christmas. Chances are over the festive fortnight you may be doing much of your entertaining in the kitchen. Even if you’re just planning informal drinks – you’ll want to make sure the kitchen is looking its best.
Kitchen renovations are big, time consuming and expensive. Not everyone has the time, energy, or funds to complete one, especially in the run up to Christmas. Luckily, there are a few quick, easy updates that can instantly boost the style of your kitchen without breaking the bank.
Upgrade kitchen accessories.
New kitchen accessories will brighten your kitchen in an instant without changing any of the furniture. Choose a new highlight colour to add to your room and update your kettle, toaster and if you have open shelving or a dresser, extend this new colour theme to the crockery, cups and glassware on display.
Change your cabinet door and drawer handles.
If the basic structure of your kitchen is in good condition, you can update the look of the room by simply replacing the handles. Count the number you need for your kitchen and keep an eye on the price per piece when shopping, because it adds up fast – especially if you have a large kitchen with lots of cabinets. There are plenty of low cost options to be found on online sites like eBay.
Swap lighting.
Better kitchen lighting doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Stylish new pendant lights can easily become the new focal point of the room. Under cabinet lighting, recessed lighting, dimmers and better bulbs can all do the job at moderate cost without having to tear up your kitchen to put them in.
Add new linens.
From new seat cushions for tired old chairs to tablecloths, place mats and tea towels, fabrics can work wonders and don’t have to cost the earth. Oilcloth table coverings are practical as well as on trend.
New window dressings.
The addition of a new window blind can effortlessly transform any room and is a fantastic way to introduce the latest trends into a kitchen. Roller blinds are extremely versatile and come with lots of extra features like blackout, anti-mildew and moisture resistant coatings making them a great choice for kitchens. Image: Roller blinds www.stylestudio.co.uk
Create a feature wall.
New wallpaper or paint is a great way to add colour and vibrancy to an old kitchen. Rather than tackling the entire room, create a feature wall for a cheaper but equally stunning look. Make sure you choose wallpaper and paints that are specially designed for the kitchen so they are heat and steam resistant.
Refresh your cupboard doors.
Replace, remove or repaint cupboard doors. If the layout works and the units are solid, new doors will create a new kitchen. You could even try a mix-and-match look by replacing just the wall or base cupboard doors of your existing kitchen. You could even remove upper cabinet doors to and give an existing kitchen a new feeling of openness. Repaint your cupboard doors, painting half the cabinets will give a high-contrast look. It won’t be expensive to do and will really make an impact.
A new worktop.
Dramatically change the look of your kitchen by replacing your existing worktops. Laminate is the most cost-effective to purchase although unless you are particularly handy this update is likely to need a joiner to make this change.
Change of splash back.
The splash back is an integral part of the kitchen that keeps your room looking its best. The splash back is an important focal point that forms the backdrop of your kitchen. Every kitchen demands a tough, wipe-clean material to sit behind the cooker and sink. Glass, stainless steel, wood, stone and and ceramic tile are all strong, durable and stylish. Fired Earth’s beautiful Neisha Crosland Atlas tiles feature hand-applied gold and silver motifs which lend them a festive feel but also ensure that they’ll add a touch of glamour to the kitchen all year round.
Update your kitchen floor.
If your current kitchen floor is dragging the room down, you don’t need to go to the hassle of taking it all up as you can lay new flooring on top. You can also run the flooring underneath plinths, instead of wall-to-wall, which cuts your costs further.
Read more from Claire Lancaster on her blog www.notestoself.co.uk
