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The kitchen is the heart of most homes, as it is often the place where people come together to share a meal and catch up with each other. For this reason, kitchens are a popular area to upgrade in the home. Unfortunately, kitchen upgrades can be costly, with a kitchen upgrade setting homeowners back an average of between $23,452 and $68,480 according to the 2020 Cost Vs Value report from Remodeling. While most homeowners can recoup up to 58% of their remodeling costs during resale, the initial outlay can be a deterrent. The good news is that some minor upgrades can help make a kitchen feel brand new without breaking the budget.
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Put Up Some Art
One of the cheapest ways to add a touch of creative flair to a kitchen is with art. Whether you have some space on a wall next to the fridge, or even just a bit of room above your counters, a piece of art can help show off your artistic side while also giving the room a fresh, new look.
The art from your kitchen doesn’t need to come from a professional artist or gallery, although it can. Asking family members to contribute a piece of art can help them feel more at home in your kitchen while also adding a dash of something unique to the room. If you are the artistic one in your home, why not hang some of your art up where everyone can enjoy it?
Add a Touch of Color
Most kitchens make use of neutral shades and simple palettes. For a quick upgrade, why not add a splash of color to the room? Adding color doesn’t necessarily mean painting a wall, although this is also an option. Giving some of your kitchen furniture a makeover with a new coat of colorful paint will achieve a similar effect, and the great news is that if you don’t like the color, you can always redo the paint job.
You can also add color with the addition of a rug or kitchen-friendly carpet. Rugs or small carpets can be handy near frequently-used counters as they offer the cook a more comfortable surface to stand on. When choosing a carpet or rug, make sure you have a solution in place that will prevent the surface shifting if you have tiled floors. Also, make sure that the rug or carpet you choose can be removed and washed easily, as it will undoubtedly require frequent cleaning.
Get Creative with Storage
Some of the best-looking upgrades you can make to a kitchen are also highly functional. Creative storage solutions excel at taking the mundane task of storing items and making it exciting. Take, for instance, under-counter pot hanging solutions. Not only does hanging your pots under a counter above or next to the stove create a focal point, but it also clears up space in cupboards. If hanging up your pots isn’t an option, why not install a magnet strip on the backsplash area and store your stainless-steel pots that way? If the pots and pans you have aren’t suitable, an upgrade may be in order. When choosing your set, finding one that both looks and works great can be difficult, but the final look will be well worth the effort.
Bring in the Outdoors
Bringing a plant into a kitchen will not only bring color into the room, but research has shown that indoor plants have a positive effect on mood, can reduce stress levels, and even boost productivity in a room. In addition to these benefits, plants with broad leaves can help regulate the humidity in the room and create a more relaxed atmosphere. These are just some of the ways in which homeowners can upgrade their kitchen in small ways to make a big difference. Whatever you choose to do to upgrade your kitchen, make sure that you add a touch of personal flair to the room so that you can always feel right at home.
