Don’t deny it: transforming one of the most-frequented rooms in your home—your kitchen—can be the difference maker in making kitchen duties become a lot more bearable.
And while not everyone has the time or resources to undertake such a major renovation, homeowners like yourself can delve into smaller-scale projects that already have a large impact on changing your kitchen’s feel.
The best part? You can cast the illusion of a luxury kitchen before the weekend rolls over.
From swapping out old and worn-out hardware to installing the right backsplash, here are a few top tips for making your kitchen look expensive on a budget.
1) Play With The Right Colours
Don’t underestimate the power of colour. When styling your kitchen space, opt for muted hues and pastel shades to make it feel inviting, spacious, and comforting.
White, cream and beige are timeless classics that are perfect paints for your kitchen’s interior. These light shades are good at making a space feel bigger than it is, adding to that feeling of opulence.
Besides that, painting your walls with new ink can decrease unsightly features like dents, scratches, and minor cracks. If you want a new shine on your kitchen, painting it is an excellent place to start.
2) Get New Lighting
The way that light shines in your kitchen plays a larger role in the feel of the entire space than you might think.
Swapping out your old lighting fixtures with modern, stylish pendants or chandeliers can drastically add to the freshness of your kitchen.
Make sure that you have a light fixture directly above your working area (such as a kitchen island or breakfast bar) to ensure the most coverage. Natural light coming from a window works too.
If there are any dim spots around the kitchen, consider getting a stronger bulb or installing an extra light source in that area. A well-lit kitchen space can elevate your mood and make it ready for all the kitchen tasks you’ll wound up doing.
3) Place Potted Plants Around The Kitchen
Does your kitchen feel suffocating in some way? Are there barren spots that make your kitchen look dull and lifeless?
If so, consider adding a few plants here and there. Adding these subtle pieces of greenery can make your kitchen look more lively and fresh. Not to mention, they also have the potential to add a touch of elegance to your space.
While you probably won’t be able to grow a full garden inside your kitchen, integrating plants like ivy or succulents can do wonders in making your space feel dainty. Adding indoor plants also has the added benefit of boosting one’s mood, purifying the air, and allowing your mind and body to get 7 – 9 hours of sleep.
To start, try placing a few potted plants on top of your kitchen counters or shelves. They don’t have to take up too much room—a small potted plant can suffice if you’re just embarking on the plant parent journey.
Once the desire to obtain more plants arises, you can continue growing herbs and even simple decorative plants to spice up your kitchen area. Fully-grown herbs can even be used in your cooking, a win-win all things considered.
4) Replace Old Decorative Elements
Are you using a dusty woven fruit basket as your main produce container? Has that one particular artwork graced the walls of your kitchen for years?
If you want to give your kitchen a facelift, consider replacing these dated pieces with fresh and modern furnishings.
For instance, swap out your old basket with a stylish metal one and find some new art to hang on your walls. Replace that overused tea towel rack with a sleek wall mount. Invest in some matching cooking utensils, such as wooden spoons and spatulas.
When replacing these items, the options for potential replacements are near-endless. For instance, you can browse your local retailer or look at online stores like ArchiPro for home and living products.
That said, one thing to keep in mind is that less is sometimes more when it comes to making your kitchen look expensive on a budget. So don’t go overboard with a tonne of fancy, new items.
5) Repair Broken Appliances
Even if your kitchen looks beautiful on the outside, if there are a few things that are not in operation, it will never be completely up to the mark.
A broken refrigerator, a malfunctioning oven, or an outdated dishwasher are major no-nos in the kitchen. If you really want to make your kitchen look expensive on a budget, one of the first things you should do is to make sure all your appliances are in good condition.
At the start of your kitchen makeover journey, list down all the broken appliances that need to be replaced. Consider getting energy-efficient options so you can save on electricity bills at the same time.
6) Declutter Your Space
Contrary to some people’s beliefs, an expensive kitchen isn’t one that’s overflowing with food everywhere or stuffed with too many appliances to count. Rather, an expensive kitchen is orderly, decluttered, and well-organised. You want people to see that your kitchen has enough space to walk around – and having a tonne of boxes and appliances can get in the way of that.
To achieve a nice, minimalist look, you’ll have to work on reducing countertop clutter, properly storing items in cabinets and drawers, and keeping the floors spotless.
Furthermore, ensure that all items are stored in their respective places and put away after use. This will help your kitchen look much neater and more put-together. To make the job easier, you can also invest in some storage containers to hide away smaller appliances and utensils.