If your kitchen is looking a bit blah, there are lots of ways to spruce it up without breaking the bank -- or taking on a full renovation. Here's a rundown of ideas, all of them under $100, which will help to cheer it up.
1 Paint is one of the most versatile decorating tools there is. Painting the walls in a lovely new colour will do a lot to lighten and brighten, but don't stop there. Repainting the cabinets can completely transform your look -- after all, cabinetry takes up most of the wall space in many kitchens. Melamine paint is best for kitchen cabinets, since it's tough, easy-to-wash and can be tinted any colour you like, and it's now available in easy-to-use latex formulations. Some types of flooring, such as wood and sheet vinyl, can also be painted.
2 Change the backsplash. Peel-and-stick mirror tiles are available at most building stores, for an instant brightener. Ceramic subway tiles are another trendy backsplash look that's surprisingly easy to do, especially if you can adjust the design to avoid having to cut them. (If you want or need to cut tiles, you can rent a tile cutter at a rent-all store.) Ceramic tile is also a great do-it-yourself way to update worn-out counters.
3 Make a shirred café curtain for your window. Cut a piece of pretty sheer fabric, half the height of the window plus 2 inches for hems, and 1-1/2 times the window width. Sew 1” hems on all four sides and thread it onto an adjustable curtain rod. Mount rod across the centre of the window, leaving the top half of the window bare.
4 Thin slatted blinds in wood or PVC make a clean-looking (and easy-to-clean) kitchen window covering. Wood blinds have the added advantage that you can paint them to match your colour scheme.
5 Change all the cabinet and drawer hardware. You can get all kinds of great designs, from forks and knives to sophisticated modern looks.
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Arrange shades or drapes to give maximum amount of light to dark rooms. Turn on all the lights, let it shine. Replace all burned out light bulbs and repair faulty switches. Light colors add cherfulness to dark rooms, especially kitchens. -------------------- oliviaharis http://www.drivenwide.com
We have a very small 10x12 kitchen with pine cabinets, a dark brown countertop and a northfacing corner window behind the corner sink. anyone got any ideas for making it light and airy...I had thought of solar tubes as we have a cathderal ceiling but that got vetoed by my spouse as did painting the cabinets,,,,any ideas please?????
If your husband does not want to paint the cupboards, learn how to paint, it makes all the difference in the world, I did this with an open concept kitchen and it is wonderful.My former cupboards were a medium oak .
change the counter top, you can get formica, laminate from Rona, Home Depot for less that 80 dollars a sheet. That is what we did. We also have a small kitchen and pine cabinets. Another option is to change the flooring to lighter color if it isn't already. What kind of lighting do you have? that makes all the difference. What color is the backsplash? Try a lighter color or material, something that shines that way it reflects light. Because your window is north facing, you do not get alot of light during the evening, so try a sheer curtain, or if you can leave it open. If there is a wooden bridge between the cabinets on either side of the window, remove that and install a light over the sink, that will make a huge difference. good luck
I too have medium oak cupboards and would like to paint them. What kind of paint did you use (oil or latex), did you prime them first and what else was required to prep them? Thanks..............
get rid of your husband, than paint last time i looked pine was not an endagered species,if you paint you have to use a special primer to cover those ugly knots than away you go it will look amazing,pine looks very tired after a while it tends to morf into this drab sickly yellow,once you paint them out you may have to paint your walls9benjamin moore white choclate is a great colour as is oxford white one is warm one is cool,hang a huge chandalier in your vaulted ceiling maybe something with a branch and twig effect if you in the country,but go large
Hi snowman: I used Benjamin Moore Melamine Paint in a Cloud White. It is not a pure sharp white, but slightly creamish and it looks fantastic. I sanded the cupboards slightly be fore painting and did not need a primer.
Hi Snowman! Are you The Snowman from Thunder Bay? It yes, this is just too funny.... small world! Let me know. Sylvie
Hi! Maybe you could buy one of thoughs light bords. they where made for people with SAD.(sesonal depretion) for the winter time. but if you hang it infront of your sink you will get the idea of a sunny window with frosted or white milk glass windows. I think you can get them in decoration stores or maybe someone will now here where to buy them...I saw them on city tv and other designing shows and they would really help with the light...or merrors or a nice indoor kitchen garden grow light shelving unite...you would get the benifit of light and hurbs... and may I ask who does the cooking in the kitchen? and spends the most time working in it...light is very importent for doing a good job! ;-) Heidi12...
it's heidi12 again could you tell us how it goes...I would like to hear about your decorating adventures...just asking;-) I am still working on a small bathroom...and enjoying it...
In the Update your Kitchen for under $100 photo, does anyone know the shade on the walls of the kitchen. It is a very popular colour chosen by designers, there are so many variations, I'd appreciate any insight. thanks allysan
Who decorates with hanging plants anymore??!!