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You are here: Home / Interior Design / Modernize a Kitchen with Five Affordable Upgrades

Modernize a Kitchen with Five Affordable Upgrades

December 12, 2011 by Dan

A kitchen can be what makes or breaks the sale of a house. If a home is otherwise appealing, but the kitchen is dated and ugly, potential buyers would rather walk away and keep shopping rather take on the work and expense of replacing the kitchen. However, a total kitchen replacement is not always necessary, particularly if the kitchen functions well but just needs a style update. Here are five affordable upgrades that can be used together or in any combination to update your kitchen.

Modern Wall Color:

Nothing says “1966” like avocado green walls. Refreshing your walls with new paint is one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can make, and it gives you lots of bang for your buck. Evaluate the space and the colors that must stay, then choose something new and fresh that complements those colors. You can never go wrong with serene neutrals like ivory or tan, but you can also add some panache with a focal wall in a trendy color like green tea, mimosa yellow or periwinkle blue.

Refresh Cabinets:

Who wouldn’t love brand new cabinets with all the bells and whistles like roll out drawers and built-in spice racks, but cabinetry is one of the biggest expenses in a kitchen makeover. If your cabinets are in good shape and the layout of the kitchen is functional, a more affordable option is to repaint the cabinets in a soothing modern shade like taupe. Whether you do it yourself or hire it done, it’s still much cheaper than replacing them.

Updated Countertop Spaces:

Of course, granite is synonymous with gorgeous, but again it’s a deal breaker if you must keep a tight rein on expenses. Visit your local home improvement store and you’ll find a new product that is simply painted on your countertops and gives them the look of stone or granite. While you’re at it, take a look at backsplash tile. Backsplash areas are not vast in most kitchens and you can add lots of style for a low price. Glass tile, porcelain or ceramic can bring your kitchen a hip modern vibe, the rustic flavor of Tuscany or transport it to some place in between. Tile is not difficult to install and with a hand-on class at a home improvement store, you can easily pull off this upgrade on your own.

Fixtures from the Current Century:

Old dated lighting fixtures and faucets aren’t doing your kitchen any stylistic favors and are easy to replace. Affordable replacements can be found in every style and decor preference: choose from modern pendant lights, a ceiling fan, hand rubbed bronze faucets or a simple, modern chrome faucet with a removable spray head.

Accessorize like a Pro:

Grandma’s cross-stitch sampler may look quaint in a country style kitchen, but if you’re going for something more contemporary, hang contemporary wall artwork to make a statement in the kitchen. A modern metal art in stainless steel may be just what you need to draw attention to open shelving that flanks the area above the stove. Or try sculptural trees wall art to add some distinction to the dining nook.

 

 

Filed Under: Interior Design, Wall Coverings Tagged With: cabintes, color, countertop, granite, kitchen, modern decor, upgrade, wall art

About Dan

Dan Fargo,the editor-in-chief of Archtopia, an online magazine dedicated to architects and designers.

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