The kitchen is by far the one room in a home that can benefit the most from a remodel. Not only is it the heart of the home where people gather, it’s one of the few rooms where work occurs on a daily basis. The more functional it is the easier everyday life will be.
GK+B is a kitchen designer San Francisco homeowners turn to for creative solutions and unique designs. They work with clients on everything from complete renovations to simple installations. If you want maximum impact with minimal investment here are 10 ideas their design team has used in the past.
Build or Buy an Island
If you need more counter or cabinet space an island is often the easiest option. You can buy a pre-fab island or have one custom made to meet your exact needs. Kitchen islands don’t have to be gigantic to add value and functionality. Often times, a small kitchen island provides adequate extra space without disrupting the flow of the room.
Install a New Faucet
The sink faucet is the most used piece of equipment in the kitchen. It’s also an easy upgrade that improves functionality and décor all at once. The new hands-free faucets cost a little more, but they make cooking and cleaning up much easier. So, one of the best kitchen faucets will make your kitchen look complete and beautiful.
Repaint or Refinish the Cabinets
Cabinets are the biggest investment in the kitchen. If you don’t have at least $10K saved, new cabinetry is probably not an option. But if your cabinets are in good functional condition there are other ways to give them an updated look.
If you don’t mind the wood grain you can always refinish your cabinet to freshen them up. Another popular option is paint. Homeowners are painting their cabinets all sorts of colors these days to add a personal touch in the kitchen. White and black are always a safe bet, but soft neutrals like ivory and sage also look great.
Add New Hardware
After sprucing up the cabinets with a fresh coat of paint or stain you can go one step further with new hardware. It’s a subtle change that can make a big difference in the overall décor of the kitchen.
Paint the Walls
Any interior designer will tell you that the quickest and easiest way to update any room in the home is painting. In the kitchen, the color you select can have a significant impact. If you have a galley kitchen or your kitchen is on the small side light colors will help make the space seem larger compared to dark hues. If the natural lighting is limited you may also want to stick with a lighter color palette.
Add a Backsplash
Adding a backsplash used to be an upgrade for high-end kitchen designs. Thanks to self-adhesive backsplash tiles, homeowners can now handle the project on their own and save hundreds of dollars. The tiles come on sheets that can be cut to size. Then you just peel off the backing and stick them to the wall.
Get Organized With Pot Racks and Shelves
If you need more cabinet space but don’t have room for an island, you can add pot racks and shelves instead. It’s actually trendy these days to display your kitchen goods in plain sight as long as you keep things orderly.
Lay Vinyl Over the Existing Floors
In the last few years, flooring companies have come up with some very innovative products. The latest vinyl tile flooring is a godsend for homeowners on a budget. It’s easy enough to install on your own because it can go directly over an existing vinyl, tiles or concrete. If you like the black and white checkerboard look vinyl tiles are a great option.
Update the Lighting Fixtures
It’s amazing how lighting fixtures become an immediate focal point as soon as the light is turned on. Lighting in the kitchen serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, and designing a lighting scheme is a project all on its own. If your time or budget is tight focus your attention on lighting fixtures over the sink and seating areas. Unlike task lights and ambient lighting these fixtures are the most visible.
Transform an Old Refrigerator With Chalkboard Paint
Refrigerators aren’t cheap. In fact, they’re pretty expensive. If you have an older fridge that’s working fine but could use a facelift chalkboard paint could be the solution. It can be painted directly onto the surface and won’t show fingerprints or smudges like other fridge finishes.
