Good Housekeeping I Pinterest
Whether you're thinking of renovating or wanting to refresh the look in your home, one room that can sometimes get overlooked is the kitchen. For some, this space is the true heart of the home, a place where we spend most of our time cooking all those delicious meals for the family or baking a batch of goodies that fill the home with wonderful sweet aromatics. It's a place where we socialize with close friends and family creating memories for years to come. Well, this is why finishing touches for the kitchen shouldn't be overlooked.
With that said, you don't need to go to great lengths to give your kitchen a refresh. Demolition aside (although we do love a good kitchen reno), you can enhance the look, feel, and functionality of your kitchen without breaking the bank.
Accent Walls in the Kitchen
Painted Accent Walls - Lily Ann Cabinets I Paper Moon Painting
Accent walls can enhance a room by providing contrast, introduce colour, and bring personality to an otherwise neutral design. There are however a few points to consider for choosing an accent wall colour that we've covered in a previous blog. Factors such as room direction, focal point, and room size to name a few. But the great thing about the kitchen is that you don't need to put too much thought into deciding which wall to accent.
Since kitchens usually come in different layout configurations: Galley, L-shape, U-Shape, Peninsula, and Island, you will have at least one wall to work with. Pictured above is a great example of this. The picture to the left is a double Galley kitchen (cabinets located on both sides), and an Island kitchen. The painted accent walls elevate each space bringing depth, colour, and interest. The recessed painted accent wall with the banquet seating creates a feeling of comfort.
Kitchen Wallcovering Ideas I Pinterest I Lonny
Another great option is wallcovering! Wallcovering has the same effect as a painted feature wall instead with the added bonus of prints and patterns. If you live in a condo, a great alternative is a peel and stick. These days, the options are endless ranging from everything simple to bold and interesting prints and patterns.
Whatever your jam is, a painted feature wall or wall covering is easy and affordable. If you're thinking of incorporating wallcovering into your kitchen, make sure you have the correct tools for a successful end result. If you are a DIY'er, peel and stick is your go-to option where you will only need a few tools in hand such as a smoother and utility knife kit. Don't forget to consider your existing colour scheme as well to help you choose the right paint and wallcovering for your kitchen.
Useful blogs: From Achromatic to Embracing Color
A Few of Our Picks We Love
Utilitarian Accessorizing in the Kitchen
The term 'utilitarian' is described as something that is useful or functional. As we just mentioned earlier, the kitchen often gets overlooked when it comes to styling and decorating because sometimes you just don't think it's a space that needs to be styled right? But you know what, empty shelves and counters can be styled with useful and functional items while used as decor to enhance the space.
Home Edit I The Effortless Chic
Useful and functional items such as cutting boards, salt and pepper shakers, planted herbs, and morter and pastels can grace your kitchen countertops. If you're a frequent baker, display your go-to baking mixers so they can be easily accessible. And let's not forget about open shelving where a handful of your favourite cookbooks would fit perfectly. Again, take a look at your existing colour palette to help you figure what sort of accents you want out. However, don't feel like you need to put too much thought into it and instead prioritize function over aesthetics in the kitchen since these items will be the ones that are most frequently used. You don't want all of your decor in the kitchen collecting dust just for the sole purpose of aesthetics.
Apartment Therapy
A Few of Our Picks We Love
Backsplashes
Another great way to update the look of your kitchen is to update the backsplash. Whether you are renovating or not, the backsplash is a great way to tie the whole kitchen design together. Modernize your kitchen by going with timeless designs such as a marble or solid colour. Also, don't feel like you are limited in layout, there are so many options for layouts or patterns, shapes, and colours to choose from. Here are a few we love!
House Beautiful
A Few of Our Picks We Love
1. Wayfair - Marble Mosaic 2. Wayfair - Porcelain Mosaic
Countertops & Cabinet Fronts
Karin Bohn
Most people think that changing out the tops of your cabinets and island, or kitchen cabinets is a pricey investment. Well, sometimes they can be, however, this isn't always the case. In the image above, for instance, the island is topped off with a butcher block countertop from Ikea vs a standard solid surface. Talk about a great way to save money.
Mix and match finishes like wood and marble for an updated modern look that will never go out of date. Take your base cabinet countertop up to the backsplash for one cohesive look like the image above. Another great update is to change out your cabinet fronts. One style that will never fade is the shaker fronts. Or finish off your cabinets in a fresh coat of paint for a chick and modern updated look without having to do a full demolition.
Kitchen Facelift Before and After - White Dahlia Design
Useful blogs: Knobs or Pills: Your Guru Guide to Cabinet Hardware
A Few of Our Picks We Love
The kitchen doesn't need to be overlooked when it comes to decor and it doesn't need to cost much. Use what you have in your kitchen and think of them as decor items that can be used. We hope you enjoyed our top three ultimate fun, easy and affordable ways to update your kitchen. Don't forget to subscribe down below for future posts if you haven't already.