If you’re thinking of moving, or in the middle of long-term renovation, a mini kitchen makeover might be all you need to tie you over and help you fall back in love without spending a fortune. As the true heart of the home, the kitchen deserves as much care and attention as any other room within the home, if not more. Why not show it some love this season?
A kitchen makeover certainly doesn’t have to involve ripping out and replacing cabinets. A few little additions and a lick of paint can often work wonders and for very little outlay, you can completely transform your kitchen into a stylish and livable space to be proud of.
Painting the cabinet doors are the most effective and affordable way of reviving your kitchen. Chances are, the original design was carefully invested in, and it would be a shame to let its beauty go to waste. Just like a car, the longevity of a kitchen will depend on how well it is maintained. Instead of waiting years until the money is available to replace it altogether, a regular ‘service’ will keep it looking fresh and up to date.
If you are going to refresh your doors, why not further upgrade the look of an older kitchen by removing wall cabinets and replacing with open shelving? A deVOL inspired style in a traditional kitchen, or a Scandi vibe in a contemporary setting!
Over time, woods can fade, scratches start to show, and a grubby exterior appears to detract hugely from the fresh appearance it once boasted. It’s important to take your time with this type of DIY work, paying special attention to any marks that need to be sanded down before any paint is applied.
Not all paints will be suitable for this kind of job though, you’ll have to carry out a bit of research beforehand. MDF and Melamine paints are ideal for laminate doors and a handy, time saving ‘one coat’ option is available, and your local painter's merchant should have plenty of choice. I’d recommend investing in a non-shedding paint brush too; these are a little more expensive but worth every penny as well as a non–foam roller to provide a smooth finish.
Once you have removed the doors and handles, place them on a newspaper covered surface and spray each one liberally with sugar soap to clean them (you’ll be able to find a bottle with ease at any good DIY store). After a minute or so, scrub with a wet sponge, pat dry, use sandpaper to score the surface and then get painting, using the brush to reach any recesses.
This method will work perfectly with laminate doors but if the original kitchen featured varnished wood or painted timber, unless using paint specific for this scenario, you’ll then need to sand each door back to remove the surface coating. Primer and finishing coat can then be applied.
The fun part is choosing a colour that will bring your kitchen to life. Earthy shades as are very popular at the moment - by earthy I mean terracotta - a muted green and deep dark sky blues and they will help to give the room depth and a classic appeal. Ivory cream and white (probably best if you don’t have messy kids though) are great for accessorising; with a neutral palette as a base, you can also add the season’s latest en-vogue items like terracotta or rustic Zellige tiles to create a look and feel that is fresh and current, especially when combined with warm wood finishes.
Also, be aware of the emerging paint effect trend, stippled or plaster effect paint finishes for walls and distressed kitchen cabinets will give your kitchen a trending Insta vibe.
The impact a new splash-back can have on a room is unmistakable. Tiles really come into their own when re-designing an existing or creating a brand-new kitchen scheme. Use them wisely and they can not only add detail, colour and/or pattern, but they can create focal points that address awkward shaped layouts. The designers at Baked are always happy to offer guidance here.
The simple installation of a new worktop would also give the kitchen that all important designer-look and feel without having to shell out on new cabinets. Or in a traditional country setting, why not consider tiled worktop? They can often add a little nostalgic country feel to a space.
Another little trick is to replace the existing handles with on-trend new ones - It’s unbelievable how much of a difference this can make.
Even tiny little touches like a fresh bunch of flowers in a new vase can have a positive impact. For many this year, budgets will be tight but please don’t give up hope altogether - just spend your money wisely, where it counts - and don’t forget the team at Baked Tiles are here every step of the way!
