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You are here: Home / DIY / Update your Kitchen with Simple Cosmetic Refreshes {Guest Post}

Update your Kitchen with Simple Cosmetic Refreshes {Guest Post}

by Tazim Damji

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So, you just bought a new home, and the possibilities are endless.  You can’t wait to put your own stamp and style on the place.  With such a huge to-do list, it is easy to get overwhelmed, and then there are the budgetary constraints pulling you quickly back to Earth.

Start in the Heart of the Home

The kitchen can be a great place to start because everyone spends so much time in there, and the more pleasant the space, the more you’ll want to cook at home.  This will save money in the long run for all of those other projects you’d like to tackle.  Do a once over of the kitchen and make a list of things you would like to change and things you can live with.

Colour

Do you like the colour?  Paint can do wonders to changing the look of any room, including your kitchen.  Pick a colour palette that you love, and pull it in through accents such as dishes, towels, pots and pans, and small appliances.

Many people like to mix and match light and dark colours.  Dark cabinets work well with light walls and countertops, or a darker wall colour works well with light coloured cabinets.  When choosing paint, buy one that is durable and washable.  The kitchen takes some abuse, with family gatherings, children, and pets, so walls that can be washed with a rag and soapy water without damage or repainting will serve you well.

update your kitchen

Photo credit

Update Cabinets

An easy refresh for outdated cabinetry is simply replacing the hardware.  Pick a modern hardware and swap out all of the old ones.  It’s amazing how much of a difference this small change can make.  If the cabinets need a bit more updating, painting the cabinets can make a huge difference for a fraction of the price.  Make sure to pick a colour that you’ll like for a long time.  The cabinets will need to be sanded down well before painting, but renting a power sanding tool can make this work go much quicker.  Off white cabinets, grey, or even a pretty colour will transform ugly cabinets.  Make sure to buy paint samples and try them in your kitchen to make sure you like the colour at different times of day, as the light in the evening is much different than mid afternoon.  Spend a few days reflecting on the colours to make sure you are happy with them before painting.

Refresh Existing Appliances

Do you have older appliances?  Many manufacturers sell replacement panels, so you can inexpensively update an ugly appliance without spending a fortune.  They also sell paint to touch up scratches, or dings, which will freshen up battered appliances.  If you have an appliance that stopped working, or that needs a repair, there are many online tutorials to help you diagnose and tackle any appliance repair yourself, saving lots of money in the process.

Maximize Counter Space

Make sure to stock your kitchen with tools that can do more than one job.  Specialty kitchen tools that only serve one function take up space, and unless you plan to use them weekly, will take up valuable real estate in your cabinetry and hardly get used.  One of the keys to a bright and inviting kitchen is having plenty of counter space.  Put everything possible away, but in a spot that you can get to when you need it.  For items that you will use every day, such as stirring spoons and tongs, find an attractive holder in your accent colour and place those in a convenient spot.

Think about ways to make more counter space such as hanging your microwave under a cabinet.  There are inexpensive hanging kits depending on your model.  If your cook top is near your fridge, there are magnetic spice racks, so spices are easily accessible and stored on otherwise unused space.

Slowly pull in your accent colour with dish towels, and other functional pieces while shopping at discount home good stores.

mirrored backsplash

Photo credit

Installing a Backsplash

If you don’t have a backsplash, this is a great way to tie in colour and functional style to your kitchen.  There are many options for materials:  tile, stone, glass tiles, granite or other durable stones, and even metal such as stainless steel.  Is your style contemporary with clean lines, or more traditional?  Pick a material based on the overall style of the room.  Most of these can be installed yourself with a little research and will add an amazing pop of style.  Make sure to use a material in your new colour palette.

A Refreshed Kitchen

Smart organization with clean countertops will create a feeling of spaciousness.  A few pops of colour will create a coordinated look.  A fresh coat of paint on the walls and/or cabinets will give the room a brand new look, and refresh any tired or outdated space.  Changing the hardware will also pull together and update the room.  Updating appliances with new panels or touch up paint will also provide an inexpensive update.  A bright and clean space can provide inspiration to any home cook, and can be done with some simple cosmetic updates.  The best part is all of these updates can be done yourself even if you are a DIY novice.  Roll up your sleeves and have fun personalizing your new kitchen.

Erica Hill wrote this post, about how to update your kitchen, on behalf of PartSelect, an online retailer of appliance parts for DIY appliance repair. 

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Filed Under: DIY, Kitchen Tagged With: tips

About Tazim Damji

Tazim Damji is a permaculture gardener and certified holistic nutritionist from Vancouver, Canada. She is passionate about photography, vegan food, and gardening. Read more posts by Tazim. Visit her food and adventure blog Celebrate Life's Adventures Connect with Tazim via Twitter or on Facebook .

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Comments

  1. @DealinandDishin says

    at

    I want to redo our kitchen..it needs it. I have done temporary fixes like wall color and painting cabinets. You're right it does help. It's amazing how much time you spend there might as well look good.
    My recent post Cub Scout Cake Bake Activities and Cake Ideas

    • tazimd says

      at

      Definitely – one does spend a lot of time in the kitchen, for sure. I do agree that simple refreshes only go so far!

  2. newlywedsurvive says

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    I really need to use some of the counterspace ideas…I swear that sometimes I can't see the countertop underneath all of our appliances! Makes cleaning the countertop easier though! 🙂
    My recent post Mother-In-Laws: Be Nice to Your Daughter-In-Laws… or Else

    • tazimd says

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      Ha, I know what you mean – I wish I had more counterspace, but really – I just need to put fewer things on top of it.

  3. mammahomemaker2012 says

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    What awesome tips! We're currently working on our floors! They're ugly right now and sooo bare!

    • tazimd says

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      What flooring did you have and what are you changing them to?

      • mammahomemaker2012 says

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        We had some very old nasty carpeting (came with the house). We're in the process of replacing the sub-flooring and may lay down faux wood (pergo) or tiles. I haven't decided yet.
        My recent post Our Whirlwind Romance

  4. way2goodlife says

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    It will take a bit more than a few things to make my kitchen look like that
    My recent post Disney on Ice Presents Rockin’ Ever After

  5. Marina says

    at

    I totally agree! I'm waiting to replace our countertops and the kitchen tap. The kitchen is my fave place to be and I think it reflects who I am. Wish I could add a splash of color to it but it's an open kitchen concept that blends into the dining area so….

    • tazimd says

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      That is pretty tricky when it is open concept, for sure. Accessories in a fun colour (that works with your dining room) might be a possibility, though.

  6. Tiffany C. says

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    I'm wanting to update things around my house. Not so we can enjoy them but so we can sell our house and buy a smaller one. I enjoyed this post a lot. I pinned so I can reference it later.

    • tazimd says

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      That is a good reason to refresh your kitchen and the rest of your home! Thanks for pinning. 🙂 Good luck with selling your home!

  7. Kecia says

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    I really want to redo my kitchen. I'm not a huge fan of the wallpaper that was in it when we bought the house, but haven't changed it yet. I want a lighter color in there, and also to add a backsplash.
    My recent post Friday’s Five Finds #1

  8. shoppingduck says

    at

    I plan on updating my kitchen with a backsplash. I agree that it can pull the colors together.
    My recent post The Health Benefits of Copper Bracelets

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Being Tazim Blog Vancouver Canada Lifestyle BlogI'm Tazim, a 40-year-old Vancouverite who is passionate about adventure, learning new things, and making connections. Content on Being Tazim ranges from smart ideas for plant-based cooking and baking to ways to enjoy life's experiences, to inspiration and information on attractions and travel destinations near and far. Read the full story here.

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Hey there! I'm Tazim and I'm a lifestyle, food, and travel writer and photographer. I inspire, motivate, and encourage my audience to explore their immediate surroundings and those further afield. I do this by sharing plant-based food recipes, ways to enhance my readers' homes and lives, and local and other attractions/travel destinations I experience. You can find my stories and adventures on my other blog Celebrate Life's Adventures Read more about me. . .

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