12 Sneaky Ways To Update Your Kitchen

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.