1. PAINT THE CABINETS – THE DESIGNERS' UPDATE OF CHOICE
A key part of your update will be your kitchen cabinet ideas. If you're thinking of how to update kitchen cabinets without replacing them, then you're in good company because painted kitchens are favored by design experts, who appreciate the way it gives a fresh perspective with very little outlay. Not only is it a budget-friendly way to change things up, but it's also environment-friendly too. Why send kitchen cabinets to a landfill if you can give them a new lease of life and upcycle them with a can of paint?
2. PAINT THE WALLS – BUT THINK ABOUT THE SCHEME AS A WHOLE
If you're looking at kitchen wall decor ideas, by all means consider kitchen wallpaper and tiles as a way of introducing color and pattern, but one of the easiest options for updating a kitchen is to paint the walls – provided you get the color right.
3. SWAP IN NEW HARDWARE FOR A SUBTLE UPDATE
And it really is a subtle update. Not everyone is going to compliment you on your new faucets, drawer knobs or cabinet door pulls, but if those are the only changes you want to make, well why not? You'll notice the difference.
4. BRIGHTEN THE SPACE WITH NEW LIGHTING
They are so often an afterthought but kitchen lighting ideas should be one of your first thoughts when you're updating the room. For food preparation, overhead task lighting is very important, but also mood lighting for dining areas, and statement lighting, often above a kitchen island, will also help to bring a scheme together.
5. CHOOSE NEW TILES FOR THE FLOOR AND/OR BACKSPLASH
Updating the floor tiles, or choosing a new color and design for the backsplash – or both – may give an outdated kitchen just the lift it needs. Kitchen tile ideas do drift in and out of fashion, so making a more contemporary or classic choice of tile will help bring the room up to date.
6. DON'T FORGET THE ACCESSORIES
It's all in the detail. So even if you've made only minor updates to your kitchen, adding in fresh new accessories or well-chosen vintage pieces will bring further interest to the overall look. New bar stools will do wonders to upgrade a kitchen island, for a fraction of the cost of replacing the island itself.