How to Redecorate a Kitchen for $100 In 2 Days

Paint, Hardware and Accessories Can Make Over the Hub of the Home

Oct 1, 2009

The kitchen is the heart of the home and the whole family uses it. Why not spend a weekend redecorating the kitchen so it is fun, functional and modern? Here's how...

Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen; it's no longer just a place to prepare meals. With the invention of great rooms that combine kitchen and family room, the kitchen has become the hub of the home. Kids do their homework at the kitchen table. Neighbors chat around an island or bar counter. Family gatherings in the kitchen have made this room an essential part of everyday living.

For a well used kitchen that is looking a little lifeless or is still sporting a 1980’s décor, it is easy to freshen the look and update the ambiance of a kitchen with very little money. The key is using paint, hardware and accessories to transform the kitchen into something modern, functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Paint Can Make a Kitchen Look Brand New

Painting a room is a good way to get an instant, dramatic change. When redecorating the kitchen, always start with paint. According to the painting experts at Sherwin-Williams, the hot trends in kitchen colors are blue, red, gray, yellow, and purple.

Gray walls will lend an industrial feel to the room. Yellow paint, of course, will add a touch of hominess and make the kitchen feel sun-lit even on a dark day. The point is: don't be afraid of color when redecorating the kitchen. From understated to bold, anything goes.

Modern Hardware is a Must for Any Kitchen Update Project

Even if the kitchen cupboards don’t need paint or refinishing, changing the hardware will have them looking fresh and modern. Any home improvement store has a multitude of options when it comes to cabinetry hardware from sleek and modern for a NY loft look, to rustic and quaint for a French Country cottage look.

Materials range from chrome, steel, copper and more to plastic, ceramic and stone. Try and use the hardware as a way to individualize the kitchen and make a unique statement.

Well Chosen Accessories Brings the Whole Room Together

Kitchen accessories include everything from organizing pieces to decorative accents. The sky is the limit here as long as one simple rule is followed: less is more! The kitchen is where the cooking takes place which means grease and odor. It is important to keep clutter to a minimum and not fill the room with knick-knacks and unnecessary stuff. Remember that a cluttered kitchen always looks like a dirty kitchen – and no one wants that.

Artwork, matching the new color palette is a good starting point. Look for interesting pieces of framed art, sculpture, interesting compote bowls and baskets to add interest to the kitchen.

Lighting is not only functional but can be decorative as well. The added illumination will make the room warmer and more inviting. Under-cabinet lighting is one way to create a combination of the two. IKEA has a wide array of kitchen lighting solutions at very reasonable prices.

Pot racks are another nice touch to think about when redecorating the kitchen, especially in a shabby chic or English country style kitchen. Pot racks come in wall-mounted or hanging styles, and recently even bookshelf mounted. There are also lighted pot racks. Hung with gleaming copper cookware, a new pot rack can add instant snap to an old, dull kitchen.

New window coverings impart color and define the personality of the kitchen. Blinds, shades, or curtains can harmonize with the chosen paint color. Coordinating throw rugs work well. If the windows being recovered are close to cooking areas, stay away from fabric blinds that will trap odor and grease and will require regular cleaning.

Make the Hub Welcoming

It's surprising how much time families spend in the kitchen and how it's usually the last room that gets redecorated. Many homeowners feel the kitchen is just too costly and time consuming to renovate and that is simply not true. It can be done as a DIY weekend project, and could cost less than $100 if bargains are sources out.

It can also be a really fun and creative project, so consider getting the whole family involved. Even little kids could have a task such as removing hardware from lower cabinets. Have a ball with this project, get everyone involved and the kitchen will truly be a family space.

The copyright of the article How to Redecorate a Kitchen for $100 In 2 Days in Kitchen Decor is owned by Tracey Drake. Permission to republish How to Redecorate a Kitchen for $100 In 2 Days in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.