12 Sneaky Ways To Update Your Kitchen

By Southern Living
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

It’s not hard to add style, storage, and efficiency to the busiest room in the home. A new light fixture here, extra seating there, metal finishes that you’d never expect: a dozen ideas for reimagining every inch of your kitchen.

The kitchen can be the most expensive room in the house to renovate. Opt for cost-saving changes that can add big impact. These twelve easy kitchen updates are simple, do-it-yourself projects that can change the feel of your space over the weekend. You can start small by replacing the hardware, or go for a bold change with a can of paint. With a new paint color on the walls or cabinets, you can instantly change the feel of your kitchen. Think about new ways you can add storage without sacrificing style or major construction. Check out our complete list of Sneaky Ways To Update Your Kitchen for even more ideas.

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Redo It Without Overdoing It

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
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Say Goodbye to White Walls

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

We will always love the all-white kitchen, but you shouldn't be afraid to go bold with color cabinets. The rich green of these cabinets add depth and interest to a large space.

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Streamline Storage

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Make sure to utilize cabinets and cupboards for storing the kitchen essentials. While overhead racks are a great ways to stow pots and pans, there’s something liberating about de-cluttering the room by hiding items you don’t reach for frequently.

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Mix Up the Metals

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

To achieve a modern look, pair brass and gold hardware next to stainless steel appliances.

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Shine Light on Unexpected Spots

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A pendant over the sink provides light and interest without adding visual weight overhead.

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Replace the Hardware While You’re at It

New cabinets sound great. New cabinets also sound expensive. New hardware is a fast-fix for revamping doors and drawers that saw much better days in the 80s.

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Work Every Inch that You’ve Got

Photo: Lisa Romerein

Anchor your breakfast nook with a substantial piece of furniture like a bench or banquette. Keep the table and additional seating lightweight and understated.

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Reconsider Where You Do Your Work

Photo: Helen Norman

And by work, we mean cutting, chopping, slicing, and dicing. Before you knock down any walls, invest in an island on wheels (one with brakes is also helpful) so that you can move your surface in and out of the way.

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Think Long and Hard About What You Put on Display

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

If your kitchen is tiny, open shelving is your savior. Just remember that what you put on shelves (colorful fluted bowls, casserole plate, patterned potholders) will be on display, so keep things simple and organized.

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Get Creative with Seating

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

While you can’t go wrong with a complete kitchen set, it’s also fun to mix and match seating for a more lived-in vibe. Think stools surrounding an island or a bench anchoring one side of a farmhouse-style table.

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Layer with Intention

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

It’s not just a smart decorating technique used in the bedroom and living room. Adding textures in surprising spots (a runner beneath the sink, potholders hanging from cabinets, graphic prints for the walls) will add color and pattern to your space.

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Don’t Overlook Interiors

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Color needn’t only be on the walls. A bright coat of paint inside a cabinet or a draw lined and laminated with patterned paper will be a pleasant touch when you’re putting away the dishes.

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Hide the Not-So-Pretty Pieces

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Still using that dining table from college? As long as it still has sturdy legs, don’t be ashamed. However, it would be a wise idea to cover up the chips and stains with an attractive tablecloth, which is also a great way to show off your knack for bringing in color and prints. Best part: You can change up these textiles every season.

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