How to Make Your Kitchen Pop!
Update your smartphone, car, clothes and furniture, but what about your kitchen? Never thought of it before? Well, now is the perfect time to organize, update or remodel! Before the holiday season kicks in people might want to get their kitchen together for all of that holiday cooking and baking. Many people feel their kitchen is too small and cluttered. I’ve been in that boat before and trust me, it’ll just keep sinking. When a kitchen seems too small, things become unorganized. The last thing a person wants when the in laws come over for supper is a kitchen that is messy and disorganized.
Bringing a kitchen up to date does not have to be expensive. You can change the looks with some organization by simply moving items around. The nice thing about it is that it doesn’t cost any money! First, get rid of any garbage or odds and ends lying around. Nobody needs a house full of empty wrappers. Now, step back and take a look at the countertops. Is there anything sitting on them that hasn’t been used in weeks? If there is, try finding a different spot for it so it’s not taking up valuable counter space and making the kitchen look smaller. Next, go through utensils. If there is an item that you always have to run to get from the pantry or cupboard, try to place it closer to where it’s used. Pots, pans, and hot pads should be close to the stove. Dishes will do best by the sink or dish washer because it will be easier to put away. Basically, put the items wherever it will be easiest to access. Finding utensils and dishes should not make cooking stressful.
After the kitchen is clean and organized, there are many ways looks can be changed. Unfortunately, this will cost some money. Plan a budget to try to avoid being “credit card happy”. Warning: The salesmen may try to sell the top of the line appliances. Sometimes it is necessary to update but plan ahead of time. A stainless steel, French door refrigerator may be tempting but is it necessary for a family of two in a kitchen that’s the dimensions of a small bathroom? Probably not.
In fact, when it comes to stainless steel, don’t overdo it (The Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes). A few accents of it here and there will suffice. Kitchen designer Matthew Quinn suggests to, “Be especially careful with those stainless-steel coffins — giant stainless refrigerators. They can quickly overpower a kitchen design if it's not balanced correctly." However, if your heart is set on a stainless French door fridge you can always cover it up with cupboards (The Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes).
Speaking of cupboards, white is back! The new trend of 2014 seems to be white cupboards (Top Ten Kitchen Trends). Everyone has their own preference when it comes to cupboards but white ones scream modern and hip. More importantly than color, make sure they are good quality cabinets (The Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes). They are going to be opened and shut every day so it is crucial to have ones that will last. Have wooden cupboards? No need to replace anything, simply buy a couple gallons of paint and DIY. Maybe even add an accent cupboard, as seen in Lowe’s Easy Kitchen Updates. (See Appendix A) A new coat of paint can work wonders when renovating a kitchen. It will give it a fresh new look!
Along with cupboards, change the hardware around the kitchen. Most likely there’s that drawer that the knob is coming unscrewed on. Here is the perfect place to incorporate that stainless, shiny look. Replace all handles with new ones. It’s an easy, inexpensive thing to do that can add character to cupboards and drawers.
Also, update major appliances like faucets, sinks, countertops, stoves, fridges, and dishwashers. Maybe you’ve never had a dishwasher. Why not live in luxury? If money is not much of an issue, there should be nothing in the way. Farm sinks are definitely in this season (Top Ten Kitchen Trends).They are multi-purpose and stylish. If money is tight, try splurging on one item and saving on others, so that at least one item can be displayed and felt accomplished about. Work stations have become popular too. A work station is an area that made to get a specific job done. For example, a little office nook, an area to make pizza, or a coffee bar. The coffee bar idea is one of Tasty Bytes’ favorites from Beautiful Homes and Gardens. Having that coffee bar at home will save hundreds of dollars on morning espresso. Plus, you won’t have to worry about where the nearest Starbucks is.
With all of that, the kitchen should look modern, sleek and up-to-date. Just a minute though, there is one element that is often forgotten… technology! We live in a fast-paced society where technology is always advancing. So why not add some to the kitchen? Instead of eating on the couch, in front of the T.V., in the living room, make the kitchen a place to entertain. Add a wall mount T.V. in a place that is easily seen from sitting and cooking areas (Top Ten Kitchen Trends). That way it can be enjoyed while cooking and dinner party guests will be impressed when they come over. Try to incorporate a computer. They can be super helpful to look up a recipe, update a Facebook status, or checking work emails (Top Ten Kitchen Trends). There are endless things that can be done, the sky’s the limit. However, this season’s hottest remodels are a modern style with a touch of the 21st century. Now it’s your turn, we guarantee it will definitely make your kitchen pop!
Works Cited
Lowe's. "Budget Friendly Kitchen Makeovers From Lowe's." Online video clip. Youtube.
Youtube, 21 Feb 2014.
The Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes. n.d. 24 10 2014.
Top Ten Kitchen Trends. n.d. 24 10 2014.
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