8 simple tips for redecorating your kitchen

There are many benefits to upgrading and/or redecorating your kitchen. Of course, you’ve got your aesthetic benefits: who doesn’t love a nice, visually appealing upgrade? But as you start to plan out your renovation efforts, you’ll learn that there are several other benefits, too. For example, simple changes to your kitchen’s storage capacity and layout can make your space much more functional.

Additionally, upgrading your appliances can improve sustainability, reduce energy costs, and even improve your home value. In many cases, a kitchen renovation has a return of 100% or more. If you invested $7,000 into a kitchen remodeling project, complete with a new copper hood vent and beautiful marble, your property value would go up by $14,000 or more. With that in mind, here are eight tips for redecorating your kitchen:

Brighten it up.

There’s nothing quite like a fresh coat of paint on your walls. And the brighter the paint you use, the bigger your kitchen will appear. Alternately, dark paint can make a small kitchen feel even—so if you’re starved for space, you might want to lean toward lighter hues.

Painting your kitchen white can brighten up the space and make it look larger, crisper, and cleaner. You can also brighten things up with LED lights underneath your cabinets to illuminate your counter space, or by installing track lighting with accentuated pendant lights. You can also add in a large mirror to help reflect your existing natural and artificial light sources.

Revisit your counters.

The counter space and sink are some of the most important focal points of the kitchen.
When it comes to countertops, there are dozens of different options, each with its own look (and its own price point). If you’re struggling to choose one, try thumbing through interior design books or looking at Pinterest to get a sense of the style you’re aiming for.

A new sink can totally switch up your kitchen’s style. For example, going from a simple stainless steel kitchen to a farmer’s sink create a more charming, homey feel. Additionally, you can turn your sink into a partial cutting board to save some counter space and make it more functional.

Install a pegboard

 

Pegboards are an excellent way to free up some much-needed space in your kitchen cabinets. A pegboard is a versatile board with holes to hang hooks, making it an ideal option for hanging pots, utensils, mugs, and other kitchen accessories. With the hook system, you can even hang items that do not naturally have a hooked feature. To install a pegboard, you’ll need a prefinished pegboard, a box of lathe screws, a screw gun, and hooks.

Throw in a rug or two.

People don’t always think of rugs when it comes to the kitchen, but they can truly change the perception and style of your space. Sure, there are some added risks when you’ve got carpet in your cooking area—but with the right care and positioning, you can make it work *and* enjoy a bit of cushion under your feet.

For example, if you have an island, you can fill the space around the island with decorative rugs. The key is to find the right rug that fits in with the rest of your kitchen and is easy on the eyes. If you already have a “busy” kitchen, you might want something simple. If you have an all-white kitchen, you can brighten things up with a patterned or colorful rug.

 

Paint your cabinetry
You don’t have to undergo an immense renovation to make your kitchen look brand new. If you have solid cabinet frames with little to no deterioration or damages, you can paint them to completely alter your kitchen’s appearance. Paint can work wonders on your kitchen, and you don’t need to hire a professional if you’re up for the challenge.

Once you’re done painting your cabinetry, you can add new fixtures like updated knobs and other hardware. Knob pulls are inexpensive, easy to install, and varied in style. You can opt for more muted knobs or quartz knows for a hint of glamour.

Build a backsplash.

A backsplash creates a focal point between cabinetry and countertops, making it a great way to introduce color into your space. Regardless of your style or the aesthetic of your kitchen, there’s a backsplash to match. Backsplash tiles come in a wide variety of textures, shapes, patterns, and colors, *and they’re relatively easy to install on your own. Some of the materials you’ll need include grout, mortar, sealer, and tile adhesive.

Bring in some nature.

One of the easiest DIY things you can do is to bring some nature into your kitchen. Plus, plants and flowers don’t just make your kitchen physically appealing. Studies have shown that they can be beneficial for your health, too. According to psychologist Rachel Kaplan, bringing nature into otherwise stagnant spaces creates a “restorative environment.” With that in mind, you can create your own oasis in your kitchen.

Terrariums and air succulents are low maintenance, and they’ve been trending in the interior design space. Terrariums are mini-gardens that grow in a small clear container (usually grass). Think of a terrarium like an “aquarium” for fish. After all, within terrarium walls, there are several scientific processes happening at once.

Customize them as much as you’d like, go for larger glass-house-like terrariums, or hang some small glass globes. Purchase them pre-made, or make your own terrarium from scratch. You can also hook small shelves to your pegboard, creating more space for your plants without taking up additional counter space.

On the other hand, flowers of all types, shapes, and sizes, bring character and color to a space. Create your own floral arrangement to complement your kitchen design. Hanging plants and ivy —especially along textured walls—will give your indoors an outdoor aesthetic.

Declutter.

Decluttering seems like a simple tip, but it’s one that’s often ignored. Sometimes, a little decluttering can do wonders for your decoration and renovation efforts. Incidentally, clutter is just a byproduct of not having enough storage. If you follow some of the other tips listed here—like installing a pegboard—you’ll have much more space organization in your cabinets, which frees up some of the space on your countertops.

There are plenty of other decluttering steps you can take, too. First, conduct an inventory of your kitchen and get rid of or sell appliances and other items that you don’t use often or need. Open up some cabinet space by installing a pot rack or getting an extra storage unit. Invest in other simple space-saving solutions, such as:

• A magnetic knife strip
• Above-window shelving
• Baskets and bins for organizing items like cutting boards
• Above-cabinet storage
• Add shelving to your backsplash
• Use pegboards or install poles to hang up your mugs

 

AUTHOR BIO: EMMANUEL LAO