Kitchen remodels can be expensive, but you do not have to tear out cabinets and invest in granite to breathe new life into your kitchen. In fact, taking a creative approach to kitchen decorating can help to make the space yours by avoiding what has become the rather generic palette of stainless steel and dark granite. Here are ten ideas to help get you started decorating your kitchen.
1. Paint your knife block
We are starting small here, but painting your knife block can actually go a long way to sprucing up your kitchen and adding interest. What makes this project really great is that it is not permanent. If you hate the look, you can sand the block down or just get rid of it. If you love the look, then you can use it as inspiration for dressing up the rest of your kitchen.
2. Washi tape
Washi tape comes from Japan and reflects the country’s cultural obsession with anything that is cute. It feels like masking tape, but it looks like the kind of ribbon that you would sew onto a dress or other high-end item. It comes in a range of patterns, sizes, and colors and is made from natural fibers like bamboo. It is both functional and durable, so you can use it just about anywhere.
3. Replace your backsplash
Replacing a backsplash usually does not require extensive plumbing or electrical work. Even better, the range of materials available will accommodate just about any budget. Your options include everything from marble to cork to stainless steel and reclaimed wood from things like shipping pallets. Whatever you choose, make sure it is easy to clean.
4. Paint glass
Painting glass is easy and you can often find glass panels for relatively low prices. You can use painted glass to spruce up a wall, create a backsplash, or you can mount it over an existing window to create a stained-glass effect.
5. Mason jar hangers
Mount the lids of Mason jars to the underside of your cabinets and then screw the glass jars onto them. You now have custom storage. Paint the jars or decorate them in other ways to create an interesting visual cue in your kitchen.
6. Paint your chairs
If you have an eat-in kitchen or a counter that has stools, consider painting them. You can add a lot of color and interest to your kitchen this way without committing to anything permanent. The chairs do not have to be used for sitting either. You can use them for storage, as a stepping stools, or for a variety of other purposes.
7. Flower pots
Mount metal flower pots to your walls to create a decorative area for either display or storage. You can use the pots as they are or paint them to create a different look. Use them to add more green to your home as well by planting houseplants in them.
8. Paint your counters
If your counters are made of wood or Formica or some other easily-painted material, consider painting them. You don’t have to go with a solid color either. Many brands carry speckled paints and paints that contain flecks of color just for painting counter tops. Some even make paint that looks like granite. Seal the counters when you are done to protect them from water and always use a cutting board.
9. Build a table
You can build your own kitchen table using wood that you have reclaimed from other sources. Old shipping containers and crates work especially well. Mount the wood to either a metal or wooden frame and then seal it to protect it.
10. Paint the cabinets
Painting your cabinets, or even just the doors, can really change the look and feel of your kitchen. This task can be time-consuming, but it is not expensive. You can get creative with the paint too by using patterns and stencils to design a custom look.
If you cook a lot, then you probably spend a great deal of time in your kitchen. Make it an inviting place to be by sprucing up the walls, counters, cabinets, and furniture. You do not have to do anything dramatic or complicated to completely change the look of your kitchen and make it all your own.