The
kitchen is filled with cabinets, counters, and appliances, which are all
long-term, high-dollar fixtures in your home.
Changing out any one element would easily rack up quite a bill and work
up quite a sweat. If you wish your
kitchen would take on a new look, play with smaller, simpler elements of color
to bring pops of shade and a burst of new life.
In
lieu of the extensive project of painting your cabinets, give them an updated
look by removing your cabinet hardware and drawer pulls, sticking them into a
large sheet of cardboard, and spray painting them in a modern metallic finish
like brushed nickel or chrome. If you
have a painted wall surface showing between your upper and lower cabinets, paint
just that area an interesting shade as a solid backsplash.
Play
up any open shelving or glass cabinet doors by displaying brightly colored
dishes and utensils in that space. Stack
a set of colored plates, ice cream bowls, or nesting bowls where they can be
seen. Store a series of Italian soda
bottles here instead of in the pantry.
If you have a few ceramic pitchers or decorative glass pieces in
different shades, group them together into an eye-catching collection.
Bring
bright serving bowls out, along with a colorful colander, to hold fruit or
vegetables on the countertop. Take a
dated set of canisters and give them a spray paint makeover in a glossy
finish. Fill a displayed utensil holder
with spoons, spatulas, whisks, and other silicone kitchen tools in bright
shades like pink, yellow, and aqua, or in primary colors like red or
green. If you have a bright solid or
striped glass cutting board, rest it against the backsplash between countertop
appliances or canisters.
Fill
two or three small ceramic pots with a little layer of pea gravel, followed by
potting soil, and top them off with some countertop herbs like basil, thyme,
and rosemary. You add greenery to your
space that can be plucked and added to dishes while you cook. If you have open wall space, frame bright
prints or attractive food magazine pages in matching frames for easy custom
artwork.
You
can spruce up the look and perception of your kitchen as the hoppin’ hub of the
household with some vibrant shades in little doses her and there. You don’t have to go over budget to makeover
this popular room with stylish and bright pieces you will use again and
again.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star June 23rd.
