Here's A Clever Way To Update A Dated Kitchen Without Renovating

An outdated kitchen design can affect the overall aesthetic of your home and even decrease its value. But you don't need to invest in a full kitchen renovation to find kitchen upgrades that will increase your home's resale value. You can achieve a lot through small kitchen updates that don't require a lot of time, money, or effort. The kitchen areas that most commonly grow outdated are cabinets, counters, appliances, and paint or wallpaper color. Luckily, you don't have to paint outdated cabinets to give them a makeover, and there is a clever way to update other dated areas of your kitchen without investing in a costly renovation. Adding sleek, modern accents to your kitchen can revitalize and breathe new life into it without breaking your budget.

Kitchen accents are decorative elements that make your kitchen more visually interesting, like cabinet hardware, light fixtures, decorative objects, and textiles. Update and modernize your kitchen by creating a wallpapered accent wall, using a layered lighting design, installing new kitchen hardware, hanging artwork, picking out a new kitchen rug, or replacing an old, outdated backsplash. Before you begin, look to existing details in your kitchen for decor inspiration. Choose one area of the kitchen to focus on and find affordable ways to improve it. For instance, if you're out of storage space, install floating shelves on the wall or get a moveable kitchen cart. If you're tired of your old tile or backsplash, find a more modern, affordable kitchen backsplash option.

There are many ways that you can keep your kitchen upgrades affordable while still making thoughtful changes that transform the room entirely. Start by decluttering your kitchen so that you can take stock of what you have. Then, take a tip from Martha Stewart on the ideal way to organize your kitchen. This will help you determine what you need to refresh your kitchen in a personal, meaningful way.

If your kitchen feels dull, dark, or drab, brighten it up by installing sheer window curtains and layered lighting. Look for floor lamps, table lamps, and sconces at estate sales or resale shops and use them in favor of harsh, white overhead lighting. You can also paint the ceiling white to make the space look brighter or give the whole kitchen a fresh coat of paint in a pale color like eggshell, buttercup, or pistachio.

Additionally, try these British-inspired kitchen design tips to find creative solutions to storage issues, such as repurposing old furniture for kitchen storage. If you can afford to, upgrade your kitchen countertops from outdated ceramic tile or laminate to a trendier kitchen countertop option like butcher block or quartzite. If you can't afford to replace outdated countertops and flooring or don't want to paint the walls, you can cover up damaged or stained flooring with area rugs and hide fading paint by hanging your favorite photos or artwork over it.