Top tips for a kitchen update

With the arrival of a new year, how many of you are currently creating a wish list of jobs and updates for your home?  Mine is looking impressively big right now!

At the top of my list is a kitchen update.  The kitchen is such a hard-working room, isn’t it?  With many of us embracing the trend for open-plan living, they need to cope with a variety of functions.  We spend most of our time at home in our kitchen; it’s used on a daily basis as a space to cook, entertain, work and play.  Is any other room such a multi-tasker?!

With so much going on in just one room, it’s no surprise that a kitchen can start to look tired quicker than other rooms in the home.  To avoid the hefty price tag of a new kitchen, I’ve been looking at ways to achieve a kitchen update without going for a full re-fit.  If your kitchen is in need of a refresh, read on for lots of ideas on how to give it a lift for the new year.

De-clutter

Before you start spending money on updates, it makes sense to have a good old clearout first.  Go through all your cupboards and be ruthless about getting rid of broken or mis-matched items.  As well as helping you get more organised, this will probably free up valuable worktop space, making everything look instantly tidier.

Update your accessories

You can make such a difference to your kitchen’s overall look by playing around with the accessories.  Consider updating things like tea towels, storage jars and wall art; you could go for a strong new colour, or a new style that complements your existing units.  Adding in some contrasting textures – for example, rustic chopping boards, shiny chrome jars or chunky mugs – can create lots of visual interest too.

Install new taps

Updating your taps is a great low-cost way to make your sink look new.  It’s also ideal if you’d like to add in some clever new features to make cleaning up easier.  I like the Grohe kitchen taps range at SuperBath; there’s a really good variety of styles to choose from, so whether you’re after something clean and modern, or a more traditional option, they’re an easy way to play around with a new look.

I particularly love the pull-out spout option on these Grohe taps – it would make such light work of cleaning up my allotment harvests!

Change cupboard handles

This is a really simple, low-cost way to give old kitchen units a quick refresh.  New handles can really change the look of a fitted kitchen, bringing old units bang up to date.  If your units are looking a bit tired, they’ll also draw attention away from imperfections.  Clever!

Re-think the lighting

The right lighting can work wonders in any room, and updating your kitchen lighting can make a particularly big difference.  Ceiling spotlights are brilliant for providing good task lighting on worktop areas, but if you use your kitchen for entertaining, do also consider pendant lighting to create a cosy atmosphere.

Add a splashback

This is a great option if you don’t want to completely re-decorate.  A patterned splashback can inject some real personality, and creates a focal point for the whole room.  There are lots of different options available to suit your existing style, or even provide a bold contrast.  It’s a really practical update too, as it makes cleanups easier and quicker.

What are your tips for a kitchen update?

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