In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen: Wow Factor on a Budget

Story & photos by Lisa Marie Blair

Are you looking for easy ways to update and rejuvenate your kitchen without breaking the bank? Then this article is for you! It is possible to modernize your kitchen without spending tens of thousands of dollars on new cabinets, hardware, backsplash, floors, and furniture. Utilizing paint, along with several other options are at your disposal.

Oh, the amazing things a fresh coat of paint can do to transform a space! Painting your existing kitchen cabinets is always a great way to change the look of your kitchen while staying on a budget. If painting all of the cabinets seems too daunting, you can always opt to just paint the island or peninsula. Perhaps you’re bored with your all-white kitchen and a modern tuxedo kitchen with white uppers and black lower cabinets would fit your style? If that’s the case, then you can simply get by with painting just the base cabinets and still transform your kitchen. Other things to consider painting instead of buying new would be to paint your kitchen stools, dining room table/chairs, and yes even the backsplashes and stencil floors. Touching a paint brush to wood is a big no-no for many people and that is understandable. However, you can still change things up by just swiping that paintbrush all over the walls. To really revamp the look of your kitchen/dining room, you can make a dramatic change with a couple coats of black paint on the walls. Even one colorful accent wall can breathe new life into a space. Don’t forget about the fifth wall. Normally, ceilings are left white, but this can be a fun place to add a punch of color. Paint really is the quickest and least expensive way to refresh your kitchen and dining space without spending tons of money.

If you want to open up your kitchen and “designing on a dime” is your budget, you still have several options. You can remove some of the upper cabinets and replace them with open shelving. Or just remove the cabinet doors off of a couple of cabinets and paint or wallpaper the insides to proudly display your favorite dishes.

Another big change you can make in your kitchen/dining room is to switch out or update the metals. Lighting is the jewelry of the home and swapping your outdated light fixtures for something new

can make a dramatic change for minimal expense. Cabinet handles and hardware are easy to change out making for a quick way to update your kitchen. The faucet might not be as easy-peasy to change, but it will be worth it if your current one is looking old and outdated. Don’t be afraid to mix up metals-if your faucet and cabinet handles are black, it is totally fine to mix in gold or chrome fixtures.

Wallpaper is making a huge comeback and can dress up your walls beautifully. If you are thinking texture versus wild colors or patterns, then consider paperweave wallpaper. You can wallpaper one statement wall, the entire room or even the ceiling.

With so many options available all it takes is a little elbow grease, imagination and time to update your home on a tight budget. Several small changes can make a big impact and help you create the WOW kitchen you want to be in. n

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