The kitchen is the heart of the house. It’s where the family gathers just before a meal, catching up on each other’s day before heading to the table. It is where you will put the putter (often working at the table, while you wait for the food to cook) and where you will share a cup of coffee with your friends. If you plan to sell your home, the kitchen is also the first place potential buyers will look and one of the factors that can dramatically increase (or decrease) the resale value of your home.
These are just a few of the reasons why investing in your kitchen is a good idea: its appearance, functionality, and overall feel. However, the question is where to start. After all, most people may want to space out their renovations, rather than spending a great deal of money to fix it all at once.
Coordinate your appliances
One of the easiest ways to create a sense of harmony is to coordinate the colors of your appliances. You can replace the doors on your refrigerator and dishwasher, and swap out your microwave and other small appliances for something that matches the overall look.
Change your cabinets
It’s amazing how small details can make a big difference. Replace your cabinet doors with one with nice panels, interesting woodwork, or beautiful handles. In fact, beautiful cabinet doors can act as a design element while serving a very practical purpose. In a very small kitchen, where there is little room for decoration, cabinets may be your only chance to make a great “design statement.”
Repaint the walls
Color creates the atmosphere of a room. Choose a homey color, one that will lift the mood and create a feeling of comfort and welcome. Avoid very bright colors (unless they are an accent) as they can intensify the feeling of being “hot” (and a hot kitchen is not a comfortable kitchen). You can also use colored trim over the sink, near windows, over the work area, or under cabinets.
Organize your kitchen utensils
The best kitchens are not only beautiful, but convenient. There are many kitchen organizers that can keep kitchen utensils and supplies (hooks, jars, shelves) on hand while acting as a form of decoration. However, don’t buy any kitchen organizer without thinking about what you need and where you should put it. For example, if you have a very small table space, you will need organizers that allow you to hang your tools. You should also install or place the organizers near the area where you would most naturally use them; If you have to cross the kitchen to access them, then you are not making good use of your kitchen space yet.
Increase kitchen ventilation and lighting
Cooking can be uncomfortable: hot, dirty, stuffy. Install fans and blowers to make it a more enjoyable experience and get the most out of your windows. As for lighting, you will need lights placed near the area where you prepare the ingredients, as well as right above the stove. You can also install “mood lights” or lamps if you plan to use the kitchen as a mini-dining room.