The heart of any home, the kitchen is also where you spend a lot of time - whether entertaining family and friends, or catching up on the day’s events with your loved ones.
The kitchen is the heart of any home and a room where money on renovations, will be well spent.
And since it is the heart of the home, it's a room where any money spent on renovations - will be well spent. With this in mind, we look at some easy ways to update the kitchen that will definitely add real value to your home.
Follow these easy design tricks to update your kitchen:
1. Kitchen countertops
Apart from storage space, cabinets and cupboards, replacing worn or dated countertops with modern materials is one of the easiest ways to update your kitchen. While you may think that options such as caesarstone or quartz countertops are a tad expensive, or that granite costs a fortune, these materials will definitely add to the look and value of any kitchen.
2. Cabinets and cupboards
Updating kitchen cabinetry is as easy as replacing cupboard doors, especially if the framework is still in good condition. By replacing only the doors you retain the original design and layout of the space but improve the overall appearance, and this will work wonders on first impressions. You can buy ready-made cupboard doors in a variety of materials and finishes, or you could look at making your own. Swapping out old doors for new is a simple way to achieve a whole new look.
Good to know: Two-tone kitchen cabinets are still one of the most popular trends and you can paint the upper cupboards in a light hue, with a darker shade for the bottom cabinets.
3. Look at lighting
Replacing dated light fittings can easily transform an ugly kitchen into a bright, welcoming space - and the right lighting can add elegance and atmosphere to complement the overall style of a home. Hanging pendant lights above a breakfast nook or kitchen island creates an eye-catching feature, while lighting within glass cabinetry adds a touch of drama. And let's not forget about LED lights in bulkheads and underneath cabinets.
RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares a few considerations about lighting the home: (read full article here)
- Have you considered the colour of your light bulbs? Bulbs that are ‘warm white’ will give off a more yellow glow and are better used in rooms that do not require bright light, while ‘cool white’ bulbs tend to give off a brighter, white light that closer resembles daylight.
- Could you make a feature with just a light? For example, a pendant light can transform a dining room and can help to define the different spaces in an open floorplan.
- Have you considered the functionality? Lights can be used for various functions, namely: ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Ambient and accent lighting are more optional and can be used to improve the home’s aesthetics, while task lighting has a purpose and needs to be bright enough and placed correctly to ensure that the space is functional.
- Have you considered your curb appeal? A buyer’s first impression is made when they see the house from the road. Adding some outdoor lighting can boost the home’s appeal and can also double as a security measure to deter criminals from lurking in dark corners.
“Ultimately, the quantity and quality of the lights throughout your home can play a huge role in attracting buyers," says Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.
4. Taps and fittings
Nowadays there are so many trendy taps and fittings to choose from - undermount sinks are all the rage, and if there is a dishwasher in the kitchen, an undermount sink frees up valuable countertop space that every kitchen needs.
Satin chrome taps might have their place in some homes, but don't forget about copper or brass fittings for a bit of extra sophistication, or look at matt black fittings for a more contemporary design.
5. Choose colour with care
It might be nice to dream of a kitchen that pops with colour, but keep in mind that white and wood are the colours of choice for most South Africans. Consider this if you are planning on renovating to sell your home. However, if you are updating your kitchen for yourself, shades of grey continue to be a popular colour choice for kitchens, and you can have these mixed in warm or cool tones to suit your personal choices.
Honey oak and mid-tone wood tints have passed their sell-by date and definitely date a kitchen. You have the option of painting dated cabinets for a more modern look, or hire someone to paint the cabinets for you, as this will add fresh appeal to bring kitchen cupboards and cabinets into the 21st century.
Good to know: It's okay to experiment with colour but don't forget that bold colours can easily become dated. Keep bold colours to accent pieces, wall art, or kitchen accessories.
Source home-dzine
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