When you are proud of the way your kitchen looks, you’re more inclined to use it to your advantage. A drab, unattractive kitchen just doesn’t motivate you to get cooking!

Of course, you’ll want to make sure your kitchen is well organized and everything is within reach when you need it. This will make your projects in the kitchen go much smoother.

These five kitchen redesign tactics will help you to be more productive when you’re cooking.

1. Upgrade Your Hardware

It’s amazing how much of a difference some new cabinetry hardware can make. It can give your kitchen a whole new feel.

This is a relatively easy and affordable design upgrade that anyone with a screwdriver can complete.

You’ll be shocked by the variety of cabinet hardware you can purchase.

If you want a dainty, feminine kitchen, try painted ceramic or glass knobs as your drawer pulls. For a more traditional upgrade, stainless steel or copper hardware is a good choice. If you want something really unique and eclectic, you can find gemstones or resin knobs for your cabinets.

Whichever option you choose, your new hardware will make your kitchen feel more personal and unique.

2. Add a Backsplash

A backsplash behind your stove can break up your kitchen with a little color and texture.

Backsplashes are a great way to protect your wall from bubbling sauces and splashed grease, but they can also be used to bring in some style.

Your backsplash should complement the room’s current theme. If you have (or want) an industrial look, get a copper-toned vinyl backsplash and add hardware to match. Then, hang some antique copper bakeware to bring it all together.

If you live in an apartment and don’t have the option to mount tiles to your wall, don’t worry. Stick-on tiles look just as good but aren’t permanent. You can reap the aesthetic benefits of a tiled backsplash while protecting your security deposit!

3. Dress Up Your Windows

Window treatments are another affordable item that can be swapped for a new look.

If you want to soften up the kitchen, you can add lace curtains. If you’re going for a less is more approach, you can use natural textures like bamboo, woven fibers, or linen.

You can also make your kitchen look like a southern diner by adding cafe curtains. So quaint!

4. Add Special Lighting

Some new lights may be all you need to go from drab to glam. Just be warned that lighting fixtures can be a bit expensive, so you should shop around to find the best deal.

If you have one main light in the middle of the kitchen, you can swap it out for a chandelier. It doesn’t have to be a gaudy, shimmering chandelier (unless that’s what you’re going for). You’ll find subtler ones out there that are still very pretty.

If you lack light under your cabinets, mount some LED bars to the “roof” of the cabinet interior. They’ll illuminate your cabinet space so you can see what’s inside.

A new trend in home design is using geometric shapes around your lights. Whether you use dome-style lighting or nonconforming cages to house your light bulbs, make it match the rest of your kitchen.

5. Get a Pantry Storage System

The pantry can easily turn into a trouble zone. It is often a jumble of boxes and bags displayed with no clear organization. Instead of letting your pantry turn into a pile of foodstuffs, why not invest in a storage system?

Clear bins and baskets are particularly helpful. They’re great for storing pasta, cereals, and baking supplies. Just take your items out of their packaging, pour them into a bin, and stack the bins neatly. Your pantry is going to look great!

Make sure to buy some labels too. Labeled boxes will make it easy to find ingredients whenever you need them.

6. Add a Rolling Cart

Rolling carts can be very useful in the kitchen. If you lack a designated space for coffee, you can use a rolling cart as a coffee bar. Simply keep your coffee machine on the cart and stock it with all the fixings.

A large rolling cart can also double as a kitchen island. If you need more prep space for cooking dinner, you can use your cart. Then, you can push the cart against the wall when you’re not using it. It’s a great way to open up space in a small kitchen!

7. Change Your Faucet

Your faucet may seem like an insignificant part of the kitchen, but changing it out can make a big impact.

If you want to bring a bit more glam into your kitchen, you can splurge on a state-of-the-art faucet.

Technology is always evolving, and faucets are becoming more advanced. You can now install a hands-free faucet that allows you to turn on the water simply by waving your hands under it, like in restaurant bathrooms. This is very convenient when your hands are dirty.

There are also some very fancy faucets on the market. A chrome faucet with an extendable spout can give your kitchen the feel of a commercial kitchen. You’ll be able to wash your dishes like a pro!

In Conclusion

Even under a strict budget, you can spruce up your kitchen. It only takes a few subtle changes to make your kitchen the perfect place to saute, boil, and chop away.

Before long, your kitchen will be just as pleasing on the eye as it is on the stomach!
 
 
 
About the author

Caitlin Sinclair is the Property Manager at The Charlie, a luxury apartment community in Santa Ana, CA.