If you’ve had a lengthy relationship with your kitchen, chances are you’ve lived through a number of things together – and things may begin to seem a little stale. So perhaps it’s time to give your kitchen a breath of fresh air. No, it doesn’t mean you have to redo everything from scratch, and no, you don’t have to break your bank for it. If you’ve been wanting to refresh your kitchen, all you have to do is think strategically and creatively about making it both functional and inspiring.

Open up more space

Reducing a portion of your upper cabinetry may make a huge difference in the look of your kitchen. It will appear lighter, more contemporary and perhaps more practical. Open shelves are an excellent way to show off stacks of your favourite crockery, as well as cookbooks, serving plates and pots of fresh herbs. This arrangement may be more convenient for you to grab and replace dishes where they belong.

Get pretty artworks to hang on the wall

Though a kitchen may be a place where you cook on a daily basis, it could also be a place where you display art that lifts your cooking spirits. It may not seem like the most obvious place to exhibit art, but you should take full advantage of all that good wall space. Create a feature wall with a collection of artworks on a culinary theme, or you could instead hang some family portraits to give it an extra personal touch.

Replace the sink and tap

A new sink and tap may give a weary kitchen a new lease on life. Although traditional stainless-steel sinks are popular in contemporary houses, sinks come in various designs, colours and materials which give you even more tap choices. Unless you’re also changing your counter-tops, you’ll be limited by the size of your current sink; so identify something that fits the available space and décor. A new sink and tap may be surprisingly economical compared to other changes, especially if you’re able to install them yourself.

Install a new cooktop

A stylish and efficient cooktop may completely transform the look of your kitchen. Remodelling your cooktop is also a simple and efficient method to breathe new life into this area. The most cost-effective option is to get an electrical cooktop induction installed. Consider including accessories such as heat rods that can be installed into the surface of the worktop for a permanent pan stand. If you have extra cash to spend, you could also consider getting a new microwave to complete the look.

Upgrade your hardware

Add a new look to your kitchen by upgrading your old knobs and drawer handles with modern or antique hardware. You can swiftly turn old doors into new-looking cabinets in just a few minutes. Another thing to note, the finish of your sink and appliances doesn’t have to match the hardware. This is because mixing materials in your kitchen décor, such as brass handles with black equipment, gives visual intrigue.

You use the drawer pulls and cabinet handles multiple times per day. So, for a speedy set-up, choose a design that’s simple to clean and fits the drilling length (the space between drill holes) of the previous hardware. To update the appearance, fill in the holes and drill new ones if necessary. Look for hardware with a design that’s both robust and attractive. Ornate designs may snag on loose clothing, whereas ones that are too small may be difficult to grasp and manoeuvre.

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