Painted cabinets

While we will never recommend painting your cabinets, sometimes we can’t pick the cabinets we have. Painted cabinets are a bit tricky when it comes to cleaning, because the finish is very fragile. Avoid using harsh cleaners, as they can strip the paint. Soap and water, or diluted vinegar, are great options for cleaning. Just make sure to not scrub too hard, and to dry off the surface completely once finished. 

 

Laminate 

Laminate cabinets are my favorite, in terms of clean up! Since they’re not a traditional wood, there is no porous material to be worried about. Any all purpose cleaner will do the trick (Mrs. Meyers is my favorite), or even just water and a microfiber cloth to avoid damaging the finish is all it really takes to keep them shiny and beautiful! 

Stained wood

Stained wood cabinets are definitely a lot of work to keep them in good shape, but the finish and beauty is completely worth it. These cabinets need to be washed and oiled about twice a year. A good mixture for a cleaning solution is  six-eighths distilled white vinegar, one-eighth rubbing alcohol, and one-eighth water with a few drops of dish soap. With this mixture, and a cloth, just start wiping down! Once done, wipe down with a clean, damp cloth. It is as simple as that for the cleaning process. Finish with any furniture oil, and you’re on your way to keeping your cabinets gorgeous for many years to come. 

 

Patterned tile

 

Patterned tile is super popular right now, but it is a style we expect to stick around for a while. Incorporating tile and floating shelves is a great way to make a kitchen more visually appealing. If you have a hard time committing, peel and stick tiles are getting to be higher quality! They look almost as good as the real thing now. Patterned tile also works great for back splashes and the back side of kitchen islands! 

Art

Art is another way to spice up a space! It is easy to forget that wall art can also work great in kitchens! Something bold and daring, featuring a bright color is the perfect way to bring interest to a space. 

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is making a comeback, but not like it used to! Not only are there super neat new wallpaper products that make it a heck of a lot easier to apply, they are also easier to remove when you decide to change your mind in a few years!

Adding an accent wall, or using the wallpaper as a back splash alternative are both great options to make a more visually interesting space!

Statement lighting

Light fixtures are a great way to make a space more interesting. Incorporating lighting that is bold, and a little off the beaten path, is the perfect way to make a space feel risky, without being too risky! 

Custom Cabinets

It’s very easy to fall victim to the beauty of custom cabinets. Cabinetry has a very wide range of costs, depending on a lot of factors. Cookie cutter cabinets typically cost $50 per linear foot, while custom cabinets can run up to $2,000 per linear foot. That sounds crazy, right? 

The trick is to either, enjoy the layout you have and just reface your cabinets, or plan everything out to where you can use stock cabinets from a big box store. That will save you a ton of money and time. 

Extra features

There are many really neat features a kitchen can have, but these do add up and tend to cause a remodel to go over budget fast. These features include: Soft close hinges, soft close drawers, pull out cabinet shelving, pull out spice racks, integrated trash and recycling bins, wine racks etc.

While these features are definitely all about luxury, they come at a cost. These features can add up to an extra $10,000 if you aren’t careful!

Shaker Style Cabinets. 

 

Not only are shaker cabinets a classic, they are the centerpiece of “modern farmhouse” kitchens! The Farmhouse style is sought after because of its homey vibe while still feeling clean and somewhat modern. If you’re in the market for some cabinet refacing, this is a sure-fire way to update your kitchen and create a more homey home!  

Oil Rubbed Bronze. 

 

Oil rubbed bronze hardware is a classic as well! Stands true to the test of time. Instead of going for brushed nickle or the standard silver, choose a bronze or copper for your cabinet hardware and fixtures. This will keep the space feeling warmer and keeping it more grounded. 

Industrial Touches.

 

While this leans on to the oil rubbed bronze subject above, having more industrial lighting fixtures and seating adds more texture to the space. Incorporating wood furniture and art is another great way to add warmth and texture to a once sterile space. 

Farmhouse Sink.

 

The best part about farmhouse sinks is how deep they are. Having a deep sink means you can let dishes soak and not have to worry about putting them away when company is over. (The sink is so deep, no one walking by will be able to see them!) Farmhouse sinks also add an additional  dimension to an otherwise flat kitchen. 

Change exterior locks

One of the things I was extremely insistent on after the purchase of our home, was changing the exterior locks. Previous owners, realtors, and potentially construction folk all have had access to the keys to your home. For some peace of mind it is smart to replace it right away.

We decided to wait a few weeks to replace ours, only because we wanted to paint the door a more fun color. I also wanted to replace the ugly brass handle from the 80’s to something more my taste.

If you like the front door just the way it is, a lock smith can switch it out easily for you! 

Clean clean clean

Unless your new home is brand new, I suggest cleaning and scrubbing the whole house before moving furniture in. During the first house tour, there were rugs in most of the rooms, and a lot of furniture still in the house. This meant we couldn’t see how dirty the house really was.

Due to the house smelling like old food during our last walk through before getting possession of the keys, we had already agreed to getting a shampooer and scrubbing the whole place down. And man I’m glad we did. The original 80’s carpet definitely has lived way past its expiration date.

If it is in your budget, I recommend replacing carpet and/or flooring before moving in. Not only will you know the floor is clean and all hidden messes have been ripped up, but you wont have to deal with moving furniture around the house later for installation. 

Install Under Cabinet Lighting

Light really opens up a space. Adding under-cabinet lighting is a fancy and classy upgrade. Having your kitchen lit up with an under-glow effect will keep your kitchen light and bright, day or night, without being blinding! There are many options of under-cabinet lighting out there: plug-in, battery operated, and hard wired. No matter which way you go it is a definite must-have to quickly upgrade your kitchen.

Add New Hardware

The easiest way to change up your kitchen without investing much time or money, is by installing new hardware. Hardware alone can completely change the style of your kitchen. Adding different pendent lighting to match can change your kitchen from drab to fab in the blink of an eye.

Add a Wine Rack

A wine rack is both practical and a beautiful display that adds character. A wine rack can be almost anywhere, but it is very popular to install them at a wet bar or the end of your kitchens island. 

Install Crown Molding

Cabinet crown molding a great quick way to upgrade! If you have basic carpentry skills, it is also a very DIY project. It can make “cookie cutter” kitchens look expensive and custom.

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Styles

Depending on the style of your kitchen, there are many different options.  Deciding the purpose of your new glass doors is the first step. If you are looking to display your best dishes, clear glass is ideal. Clear glass makes for the best sight lines, and will always be my first choice, however, not everyone wants to stay organized year round. Frosted or detailed glass may be better for your lifestyle. But it doesn’t stop there! There is also stained glass, seeded, beaded, and even mirrors! All of this can get pretty confusing, however, so let’s go over the basics! 

 

Clear Glass

In white and gray kitchens, clear glass is an opportunity to add a splash of color and uniqueness. That said, it shouldn’t be your first choice if you aren’t good at staying organized, or don’t have enough storage to display some ‘show’ dishware.

 

Frosted Glass

Frosted glass is common in modern and contemporary homes. It also allows a sneak peek of the contents in your cabinets without a clear view. In other words, you can get away with having a dish or three out of place.

 

Reeded Glass

This design is created by taking a roller to the glass surface. It has a textured, wiggly, appearance. As with frosted glass, the view into your cabinetry is obscured. This style works in both contemporary and traditional homes.

 

Stained Glass

While this doesn’t work in all home types, incorporating stained or detailed glass creates a wonderful vintage/retro vibe. You can even do frosted stained glass to add even more dimension and hide your messes!

 

Glass only on your upper cabinets

If you have two rows of uppers, install glass across the top row to insert a visual break into the expanse of cabinetry. Adding glass here adds dimension to your kitchen and makes your ceilings feel larger.

2. Indoor/outdoor rug

Bringing an indoor/outdoor rug is a great way to liven up a space! Not only are these rugs more durable, the fun patterns and colors is sure to make the space feel more summery.

3. Decorate with Palm fronds

Palm leaves will outlast any bouquet of flowers, and will add a great tropical vibe to your kitchen or dining table. 

4. Beach finds

If you have open shelving in your kitchen (or shelves anywhere in your home), try placing shells or a small piece of driftwood with your dishes or other decor to add some natural elements and create an interesting, bright and airy space.

5. Grow Herbs

Vertical gardens have becoming more and more common as spaces get smaller. Having an herb wall like this is a great way to decorate you space and make it more functional. 

Patterned tile

 

Patterned tile is super popular right now, but it is a style we expect to stick around for a while. Incorporating tile and floating shelves is a great way to make a kitchen more visually appealing. Patterned tile also works great for back splashes and the back side of kitchen islands! 

Art

Art is another way to spice up a space! It is easy to forget that wall art can also work great in kitchens! Something bold and daring, featuring a bright color is the perfect way to bring interest to a space. 

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is making a comeback, but not like it used to! Not only are there super neat new wallpaper products that make it a heck of a lot easier to apply, they are also easier to remove when you decide to change your mind in a few years!

Adding an accent wall, or using the wallpaper as a back splash alternative are both great options to make a more visually interesting space!

Statement lighting

Light fixtures are a great way to make a space more interesting. Incorporating lighting that is bold, and a little off the beaten path, is the perfect way to make a space feel risky, without being too risky! 

Make it fit in with the rest of the home

 

Imagine walking into a gorgeous craftsman home, turning the corner, and seeing a really modern kitchen. High gloss doors, flat surfaces and extremely minimal. While the kitchen itself may be gorgeous, it feels out of place. This is something that could be avoidable in two separate ways. Remodel the rest of the house to match, or, more realistically, choose a kitchen style that already fits with the home. If your bathrooms are already remodeled, take cues from the decor in those spaces. Picking similar cabinet style or color will keep seamless flow from each space in the home.  

The brighter the better

 

While we all would love an extremely open kitchen, it does not work with every layout. Brighter kitchens will create a more open feel, even if the kitchen is closed off from the rest of the house. With open concept homes, there is a bit more leeway, however, avoid extremely dark kitchens. Dark kitchens feel dingy and do not appeal to home buyers. 

Optimize the layout

 

While this doesn’t pertain to a simple kitchen refresh, layout is key. Layout is the top feature home-buyers are seeking, even more so than finishes. No one wants to tear down a wall. When a kitchen is designed well, and the appliances are in practical locations, the future homeowner won’t have anything to worry about. 

Quality hardware

 

 Soft close drawers and hinges are the epitome of luxury in a kitchen. The little details can do a lot for a kitchen. Also things to consider: Most buyers prefer clean-lined handles. No matter the style of the kitchen, more modern pulls and knobs will look good. If you’re a fan of eclectic hardware, just keep in mind that you’ll want to replace it before you sell your home.