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12 Ways to Have a Nicer Kitchen This Year
Give your kitchen a few upgrades and you'll love the time you spend there even more
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
Between preparing meals, entertaining and simply gathering as a family, much of our time is spent in the kitchen. As we roll into the new year, let’s make time to assess this space. Could it benefit from changes? Perhaps you could improve your kitchen’s functionality or dress it up a bit aesthetically. Whether you’re in the budget for a complete kitchen overhaul or a few affordable fixes, there’s an upgrade that will work for you. Check out the following kitchens for some fresh ideas.
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Lighting. Lighting is all-important in the kitchen. If your kitchen doesn't have a mix of ambient lighting (which provides general lighting to the entire space) and task lighting (lighting that illuminates work areas, such as the island or countertops), not, you may want to consider consulting a kitchen designer to help you add pendants, recessed lighting, under-cabinate lighting, or another solution.
Sink. Take a minute to assess your relationship with your sink. Are you happy with it? If not, it may be time for a replacement; you likely spend far to much time hovering over it to be unsatisfied. Undermount and flush sinks are great choices, as they’re easy to clean and have a chic, seamless look. Single-bowl sinks provide ample room for washing dishes, yet multibowl sinks provide the option of using half the sink as a drying rack. Consider your needs and preferences before heading to the showroom; they’ll lead you to the perfect choice.
| Sink faucet. Faucets are used not only for washing dishes or hands; they should also be able to reach all corners of your sink for proper cleaning. You might benefit from one with a spray nozzle or purified water spout. |
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by Ben Herzog
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| Create an accent wall. It could be a backsplash, the wall behind the kitchen table or the space above the sink — wherever you feel could use a splash of color or pattern. Achieve it via tiles, paint or wallpaper, and transform the personality of your kitchen. |
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| Paint the cabinets. Want a fairly easy and affordable upgrade that will make your kitchen feel like an entirely new place? Try a fresh color of paint on your cabinetry. Save money by doing it yourself as a weekend project. |
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| Consider glass-fronted cabinetry. If you’re thinking about replacing your cabinets, you may want to consider glass-fronted cabinetry. It will turn your dishware into a display, and help the space feel more open and airy. |
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| Get rid of your cabinets. If your kitchen feels restrictive and your cabinets are getting in the way of natural light, removing them may be a good option. Replace them with shelving for storing your dishware. Your space will open up and your beautiful dishes will be the center of attention. |
Update your chairs. Kitchen chairs and barstools bring in color, pattern and distinct style. This kitchen has a very modern feel, yet the addition of the colorful Kartell Mademoiselle chairs introduces a hint of the eclectic.
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| Replace your chairs with a banquette. If your budget has the room and your kitchen the space, consider swapping your chairs for banquette seating. This is especially beneficial for larger families or those who like to entertain, as it provides much more room for seating. |
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| Introduce artwork. Just because the kitchen is primarily a space of function does not mean the walls shouldn’t be dressed up with artwork. This is an easy change to make and it will instantly personalize the space. |
Organize the pantry. Step up and face the demon: the pantry. Take a Saturday to go through everything, get rid of what you haven’t touched in years and restock what’s left in an organized fashion.
More: The Top 20 Kitchens of 2011
More: The Top 20 Kitchens of 2011
Ideabook updated on Jan. 5, 2012.
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These kitchens were re-designed on a budget. Top pic - we added beadboard & stained it so it would work better with stovetop & counter & added stools.
Bottom pix - the black & white tiles were in a box @ Habitat Re-Store. The whole box cost only $25. Worth every penny - added so much pizzaz to this kitchen re-design.
It can be done!
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