Update Your Kitchen in a Weekend
We’re all feeling the financial squeeze at the moment. With the average cost of a new fitted kitchen starting at around £5k, it’s an expense which many people are putting off for a few years. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with a dated, scruffy kitchen. With a little effort and minimal expense, you can easily transform the appearance of your kitchen in just a weekend.
Update Your Kitchen By Painting the Cabinets
One of the best ways of giving the kitchen a makeover is by painting the cabinets. Any style of cupboards can be painted, and the key to success is in the preparation. Remove the doors, take the drawers out, take the handles off. Mask off the hob, hinges, and other parts you wish to keep paint-free. Finally, give the areas you intend to paint a good wash down with sugar soap or a grease-removing cleaning product. Leave the kitchen to dry while you look for paint. All large DIY stores will have a range of paint designed for makeover projects.
You’ll need special paint for this task – standard emulsion just isn’t up to the job. Look for furniture paint from brands like Rust-Oleum, Dulux, or Farrow and Ball. Read the instructions on the tin and this will indicate how the surfaces should be prepared. Often, you’ll have to rub down the surfaces with some sandpaper before painting, to provide a “key” for the new paint. It’s worth taking time over this stage as it will ensure a better end result. Take your time and make sure the cabinets are completely dry before adding another coat, or trying to reassemble your kitchen.
Change the Handles to Update Your Kitchen
If you’ve updated your kitchen by painting the handles, it would be a shame to put the same old handles back on. Even if you can’t be bothered with the effort of taking the doors off and changing the colour, then replacing the handles can be an instant makeover technique. All large DIY stores will have a range of handles, or look online if you are buying bulk. Consider the overall style of your kitchen when choosing handles, and remember that you can also buy plain wooden handles which can be painted to match, or contrast, with your new kitchen
Other Options for a Kitchen Update
Even if you’re stuck with the kitchen cupboards as they are, there are lots of other quick ways in giving your kitchen a makeover. Painting the walls is the obvious solution, and as a pot of paint only costs around £20, it’s the best budget option too. Or swap the blind at the window for something a bit brighter or more colourful. If it’s the tiles which are dragging the whole kitchen down, then think about spraying or painting those instead. A new floor covering can also brighten the room, and something like vinyl isn’t going to break the bank either. If you’re still lacking inspiration, take a look at some home blogs or webpages for ideas and techniques.
