Everyone knows that a brand new fitted kitchen can really add value to a property and in an ideal world we would all be having new kitchens fitted this weekend. Sadly new fitted kitchens cost a proverbial arm and leg and unless you have recently come into a nice lottery win, you are probably thinking more along the lines of putting up with what you currently have. But fear not because there are a few simple things you can do to give your battered old kitchen a new lease of life!
Revamp the Cabinets
Unless the underlying carcases are falling apart, there is a lot you can do to improve the appearance of tired looking kitchen cabinets. Solid wood doors can be sanded down, stained or painted with eggshell gloss, which will completely change the look of your kitchen. Or you could have new door fronts fitted—there are plenty of companies that offer replacement kitchen cabinet doors to fit cupboards of all different shapes and sizes. Even changing the door handles will make a difference, so give it a go.
Credits to Women24
New Worktops and Sink
Kitchen worktops usually show signs of wear and tear after a few years. Scratches, burn marks, scuffs and stains all add up to make a kitchen look less than attractive. However, worktops are relatively inexpensive to replace (unless you have a hankering for new granite worktops) and if you change the sink and taps over at the same time, it will feel like you have a brand new kitchen.
Different Tiles
Tiles can make the difference between a stylish kitchen and an old fashioned one. Are your tiles circa 1975? Do they have cute little pictures of onions and apples on them? If so you are in desperate need of a kitchen makeover. Start removing your tiles immediately and then go shopping for some nice new ones. Plain coloured square tiles look great and are not too expensive. Or if you are comfortable spending more money, opt for a glass or metal splash back for a more modern feel. Either way it will be a vast improvement on what you have already.
Shabby Chic Style
Refurbishing a table and chairs or kitchen dresser is a great way to add some style to a dining kitchen. Shabby chic is all the rage right now, so if you have an old pine dresser or table and chairs, sand them down and paint them cream or white to give them an antique feel. For a more distressed look, use several different layers of paint in pale shades and sand the item down to reveal the underlying colour. Once you are happy with the paint finish, wax or polish the piece to complete the shabby chic look.
Lick of Paint
If painting the furniture is a step too far, even giving the walls a fresh coat of paint will make a huge difference. Go for a bold colour and accessorise with a new kettle and other bits and pieces. Get rid of that greasy old window blind and buy a smart new fabric or wooden Venetian blind.
Sometimes there just isn’t enough money in the pot to do everything you want, in which case you need to be selective about the things you can afford to do. Perhaps you need to replace an old rusty radiator. If so, look at designer chrome towel rails and vertical radiators as these will give a nice modern slant to the room, and in conjunction with a new worktop and sink, it will feel as if you have a brand new kitchen. But if money is really tight, just buy some new tea towels and paint the wall a different colour. It isn’t ideal, but it is better than nothing.
