Give your kitchen that fresh new look without spending a fortune.
// Balham Project by Katriona Alice.
Ikea cabinets; custom-made fronts; Farrow and Ball paint.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, it’s the place to cook; to socialise; to enjoy a family meal and to have fun! With so much use, it can sometimes look like a little tired; but you don’t have to spend a fortune to give your kitchen an upgrade. Here at Katriona Alice Design, we have a number of ways to spruce up the heart of your home on a tight budget …
// Search before and after kitchen transformation on Instagram or Pinterest for hundreds of inspirational blogs.
Cabinet face-lifts
If you’re kitchen units are looking dated, often it’s not the whole unit that needs replacing. Consider replacing the cabinet doors, maybe even just give them new handles or if you’re really lucky you might be able to simple respray or hand-paint the fronts for a fresh new feel. These solutions are far cheaper then replacing the whole unit and give the whole kitchen a brand-new look without needing to replace anything major. When replacing the fronts we recommend supporting your local carpenter/handy man, a good carpenter should be able to offer you a variety of cost options to suit your budget. When searching for new handles we love the brass and glass effect choices from School House and Wayfair.
// Mix old and new for a unique design.
Second-hand treasures
Upcycling is one of our favourite tricks (you may have read about this in one of our earlier posts – we’re big fans!) The use of second-hand products is a popular choice when remodelling a kitchen. We have seen some beautiful ideas, from shabby chic to sleek contemporary. Consider adding a kitchen island with some antique cabinets and a stylish marble top. Reclaim driftwood as wall shelves. Reuse antique tiles to create a unique tiled area in front of your cabinets. Repurpose an antique door as a breakfast bar. Along with being eco-friendly, upcycled pieces are also admired for their attractiveness and character, mix them up with modern details to create a fresh unique talking point in your kitchen. We love to hunt for treasure on Catawiki, MarktPlaats and eBay.
// Get creative with bold tiles and minimalist countertops.
Tiles and Countertop Trends
Instantly rejuvenate your kitchen with a new tiled splash back or a new countertop. Not only does this create a fresh new look, but they can add an extra dimensions of colour, texture and design to your kitchen.
Think about inserting a pop of colour with your tiles or even a pattern for added effect. Tiles can be easily changed so they’re a great way to stay on trend without breaking the bank. To keep that budget tight and still achieve a stylish look try to replace your countertop with high quality, cost efficient solutions, such as ceramic or composite for a long lifespan and easy cleaning.
We love patterned tiles from Claybrook Studio and countertops by Dekton
// Curated displays can be changed regularly to suit your mood.
Funky Accessories
If you’re not quite ready to get out the DIY kit or find a tradesmen, why not liven up your kitchen with funky accessories instead. New accessories can brighten any kitchen in an instant.
Display your new accessories on open shelving and worktops to show off your style and kitchen theme. Plants bring in fresh air and are constantly changing; decorative vases and bowls can add character and colour; or try a new cookbook library for more cooking inspiration!
We love accessories from Garden Trading and shelves from Tiptoe.
// Add thoughtful details to create a bespoke feel.
Off-the-shelf cabinet "hacks"
If your kitchen is beyond a face-lift and needs a complete overhaul IKEA is an easy choice for many on a budget. Many *sigh* at this solution because it can be hard to find an original design that makes your kitchen feel unique. But there is no need to dismiss this as a boring choice, the great thing about an off-the-shelf kitchen is there are hundreds of ways you can "hack" the products to make them your own. Youtube; Instagram; Pinterest;, most online forums are full of DIY tutorials to help you transform your kitchen using creative budget friendly ideas. Try some of our favourite ideas at Ikea Hackers
Ready to get started?
At Katriona Designs, we specialise in providing a bespoke service with exceptional design solutions at the heart. We take pride in working closely with our clients to ensure our designs and builds are tailored to each individual client’s needs. So, if you’re looking to chat about a beautiful fresh look for your kitchen, get in touch – we’re here to help!