YEARNING for a shiny new kitchen – one fit for a magazine spread? If the £10,000-plus price tag is simply out of reach right now – or you cannot face the idea of the general chaos that comes with ripping out a kitchen and installing a new one – don’t worry. You can still achieve a slick and chic kitchen makeover whilst being seriously savvy with your budget, time and sanity.
Invest in a vibrant splashback
Splashbacks are one of the simplest, fastest and most effective ways of transforming the look and feel of your kitchen. They can also be reasonably priced too with colourful plastic splashbacks starting from around £30. The design options are almost endless. From large print designs – which seem like a work of art – to practical polished chrome; there is a splashback for every kitchen and every style. For something a little more bespoke, decorative tiles make fantastic splashbacks and if you choose a baked porcelain tile they are stain resistant, easy to maintain and install. Perfect for those not-so tidy cooks.
Create ambience
Under-cupboard strip lighting is extremely effective for switching up the ambience and mood of a room; which is especially important if you use your kitchen for multiple purposes – from a bright and breezy breakfast to a relaxed glass of wine in the evening. And if you thought strip lighting was either expensive or complex to install you can happily think again, as a metre strip begins from around £20 and they simply stick on – ideal for even those with an allergy to DIY.
Introduce exciting fabrics
Fabrics are so underappreciated within the kitchen setting – rarely used and even less often used to any effect. So this summer, think bright, eye-catching patterns for your blinds, cushions and table coverings - birds, butterflies and jungle fauna are all in-vogue for 2017, but don’t feel restricted to these alone.
Overhaul the hardware
The hardware of your kitchen – the cupboards that is – can seem relatively innocuous, and yet when you replace the handles and knobs throughout you notice just how much of your overall style direction relies on them. There is an abundance of these goodies on the market so whether you want traditional or modern, quirky or contemporary, you are sure to find the perfect ones to sum up your style.
Paint your cabinets
This season, the kitchen colour palette holds plenty of versatility – with on-trend colours including pastel pink, burnt orange, yellows and a range of greens. So why not show your cupboard some love with a new coat of paint in one of these stunning hues? Just remember to choose a paint that is suitable for use in a kitchen, one that gives a smooth finish. Zoffany has a huge range of colours and their acrylic eggshell is perfect for this demanding room. Alternatively, if you do have a slightly more significant budget and can stretch to it, consider buying new cupboard doors. As long as the carcases are in good order, replacing the doors will have a massive visual impact while saving on the cost of buying completely new fixtures.
Re-think your overhead lighting
Lighting has played a crucial role in interior design over the last few years - you only need look to your local restaurant where big, bold and brassy fixtures are demonstrating their best rough and ready rustic vibe. Luckily you needn’t go all out on the stripped back look in the home this summer, as string lights, tiki torches, wicker and pendent lamps are all in, in, in – just think relaxed and whimsical.
Lesley Taylor is the author of 10 interior design books and has appeared on a range of network TV shows, including This Morning, giving inspirational advice on home styling.
She lives in Wales where she is the Founder and Design Director of luxury interiors lifestyle store Taylors Etc.
Lesley’s Top Tips for a Kitchen Makeover:
- Do as little or as much as your budget allows
- Add interest with vibrant accessories such as a splashback or a new blind
- Update cupboards with a lick of paint, new handles or both
- Re-think your lighting scheme
- If you’re not confident in DIY get an expert in; a kitchen can be treacherous if you don’t know what you are doing