4 Easy, Renovation-Free Updates that Will Transform Your Kitchen
During this chaotic season of life where every family member is home all day, every day, it’s tough to start a kitchen renovation. For many, especially those with school-age children or grandchildren, having everyone at home right now feels a little crowded… throw a remodel into the mix where you’re trying to live without a kitchen, and you have the recipe for disaster! No, thank you.
That said, if you own a vacation property that’s sitting empty at the moment, NOW is a great time for a renovation! But let’s get back to your home…
While a kitchen renovation can be life-changing in the best way, we never want the disruption of the construction process to add stress or anxiety to any of our clients’ lives, which is why I want this week’s blog post to focus on some simple kitchen upgrades that you can accomplish in a weekend or less.
If you’re ready to spruce up your kitchen, but you’re not ready for a full-blown remodel, keep reading… these small adjustments will significantly improve the beauty and function of your kitchen without the added chaos.
1. Increase Convenience with a New Faucet
If your faucet is old, corroded, or simply looks dated, replacing it with a clean, modern-looking fixture (like any of those available from our favorite brand of kitchen faucets, Kohler) will be a major upgrade, both functionally and aesthetically (since a stylish new faucet makes a beautiful décor statement, as well!).
This update can be completed very quickly by a licensed plumber…or for those of you who are adventurous and DIY-inclined, this can be accomplished in a weekend with the right tools and some installation insight from YouTube.
Steve and I currently have a touchless faucet in the kitchen, and it has been a game-changer. We simply wave our hands in front of the sensor to turn the water on and off. In a previous home, we had a touch faucet (which turned on and off by tapping a finger, wrist, etc. on any part of the faucet), and that was great too.
Now that we have experienced the incredible convenience of both touch and touchless faucets, we would never go back to the kind with a manual lever, and we encourage our clients to make the same decision. Yes, you’ll pay a little bit more, but just think about how many times per day you use that faucet! We would argue it isn’t a luxury, but rather a smart investment for a happy homeowner.
2. Accessorize your Island with New Bar Stools
Bar stools that are the perfect height, spaced appropriately, styled for your home, and crafted with comfort in mind can transform your kitchen into a place you enjoy more fully and more joyfully.
While counter height kitchen seating should be durable, easy-to-clean, and of course, comfortable, it should also be something that reflects the current design of your space.
Since purchasing new bar stools won’t cost you nearly as much as investing in a new sofa, you can always change them out in a few years. Whatever you pick right now should be stylish and fun! Something that makes you smile each time you sit down with your family.
3. Illuminate the Space with New Pendant Lights
If the light fixtures in your kitchen came with the home, it is likely time to replace them for something a little more updated. Over the years, lighting trends and styles have changed, but today’s fixtures truly provide the best quality of light.
Whether you hire an electrician to replace your light fixtures, or you’re skilled at home projects and want to take on this task yourself, replacing outdated lights with something more illuminating can change the whole feel of the room.
Pendant lights are both practical and beautiful, adding aesthetic appeal and dimension to your kitchen while also serving a purpose. We guarantee that this simple upgrade will change your entire outlook on the kitchen…after all, a kitchen that feels light and bright is more enticing to cook in and congregate in day after day.
No matter the fixtures you choose, however, make sure you opt for LED bulbs in your can lights and pendants. The light is clearer that the old yellowish incandescent bulbs and brings an airy, natural-looking light to the space.
4. Add a Little Excitement with New Hardware
The smallest details can make the biggest impact, and kitchen hardware is no exception. Whether you are adding hardware to cabinets that previously were without knobs or pulls, or you are changing out the hardware from one shape and finish to another, this simple upgrade can transform the look of your entire kitchen.
These days, there are endless options in knobs and pulls. If you have small round knobs, don’t think that you have to stay in the same category. Consider a square knob in a new finish or an oversized knob that steals the show.
Matte black and champagne bronze are two of the newest finishes on the market, and both of them are dramatic and beautiful. Step outside of your comfort zone, and don’t think you have to match the finish of your faucet, because you definitely do not.
Swapping out the hardware, which is probably a couple-hour project at best, will give your kitchen a needed facelift, increasing the contrast in your space and adding excitement each time you walk through the kitchen.
The kitchen is the most-used room of the home and place you should enjoy spending time. But transforming your current kitchen into a room you love doesn’t have to mean the expense and hassle of a full renovation.
Work with what you have, instead of what you don’t have. Swap out the fixtures for a stylish, contemporary look. Accessorize with new bar stools and decor. Small changes, like these, can elevate the look and feel of your kitchen on a lesser budget and in a shorter amount of time.
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Warmly,
Sarah