Five Kitchen Upgrades for a Fresh Look

Kitchen renovation with blue cabinets.

If an entire kitchen renovation is out the question, there are five upgrades you can make now to give your kitchen a new look.

A newly upgraded kitchen with a white stove and oven.               Kitchen upgrade with brown cabinets.

Left photo courtesy of BHG.com

A tile backsplash is a great way to update the kitchen and add a nice finishing touch.  Tiles come in all shapes, sizes and materials so that you can customize the look you want.  Sleek glass tiles look great with contemporary and traditional styles.  Decorative ceramic tile works well in kitchens with an old world or country vibe.  Compare different textures for added interest and select borders for a layered look.

A sleek kitchen upgrade featuring a glass counter top.          This is a kitchen upgrade.

Left photo courtesy of ThinkGlass.  Right photo courtesy of CBD Glass Studios.

If your countertops are worn and outdated, replace them.  If you are just looking for a subtle change to add a little something different to your kitchen, replace the island countertop with wood, glass, marble or granite.  If you want a little luxury but are looking for a more cost-effective material, replace the countertops in laminate and just use the more expensive material in one area as an accent.  Typically, the kitchen island or bar is an ideal spot for a different style countertop.

Red cabinets          A kitchen upgrade with white cabinets and wood floors.

Photo on right courtesy of BHG.com

Cabinets can be updated in many ways without having to replace them.  Adding new doors with new knobs and pulls gives a whole different look to the kitchen.  Replace worn cabinet doors with glass paned doors.  Simply paint the cabinets and replace the hardware.  Remove cabinet doors permanently to open up your kitchen space.  Take top cabinets down and install shelving.

Related:
The Power of Decorative Pillows
Kitchen with large center island and stainless steel appliances, upgraded.
Kitchen with large center island and stainless steel appliances, upgraded.

One of the most important elements of a kitchen is lighting.  Install a new chandelier and complement that with new mini pendant lights, especially over an island.  Add recessed lighting in the ceiling for even more overall light.  Install under-cabinet lights to give you extra light for cooking prep and work spaces.

A kitchen with upgraded stainless steel appliances.
A kitchen with upgraded stainless steel appliances.

Nothing gives the kitchen a more updated appeal than new appliances.  Ideally, appliances should all be the same color.  For a sleek contemporary aesthetic, stainless steel is always in style.  Installing cabinet faces and enclosures for appliances blends them into a traditional kitchen.

A kitchen with an upgraded center island.
A kitchen with an upgraded center island.

To complete the kitchen upgrade, accessorize with dishes, bowls and other items to complement the style of the room.  Then it’s just a matter of adding good cooking, family and friends.

Scroll to Top