It can feel nearly impossible to whip up fresh, fun dishes when your kitchen looks uninspired and drab. If we could all afford to renovate and start anew, it would be no problem to just hit the refresh button and have a sleek, stylish food prep area that has us all feeling like top chefs no matter the recipe. As it turns out, a lot can be done for next to nothing – all it takes is a little bit of time, effort, and creativity. Here are six cheap ways to swap out the stale for fresh where it matters the most:
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Hanging Your Cookware
One of the easiest changes to make is to take your cookware sets out of the cupboard and hang ‘em high. Not only does it look great and add a rustic touch, but there are also actually practical benefits to this as well. Not only is it better for your back to not be bending up and down to access low cupboards, but stacking your cookware can lead to scratches and chips. Hanging your pots and pans makes for an aesthetically pleasing position that both the cookware and your back will thank you for in the long run.
via Cottage Market
Quaint Cookbooks
It’s no secret that the only new recipes being used in most home kitchens these days are being read off a smartphone or tablet screen, but that can actually work in your favor for this next tip. As old cookbooks are rendered obsolete, more are piling up in thrift stores and charity shops waiting to be found cheap. There’s a certain charm in these old (once quite pricey) tomes that a small, carefully curated collection in your kitchen can pull a lot from.
via Home Depot
Replacing Cupboard Handles
It’s amazing how much the look of a room can be changed with even the smallest of updates. Cupboard handles are one of the easiest upgrades that anyone can do, and renters can rejoice at this 100% reversible renovation. And you’re not just limited to the selection at the local hardware store, as some of these quirkier examples show.
via Apartment Therapy
Bamboo Drawer Organizer
No matter how much you change the room decor, when someone opens the cutlery drawer and sees that same cheap plastic tray that every young adult sharehouse has in common, any illusion of expensive taste goes out the window. A simple bamboo organizer that fits the drawer (there are fixed and expandable varieties available) can easily add that luxury look.
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Fresh Coat of Paint
This is easily the most costly item on this list, but if the colors aren’t right, there’s only so much the surface updates will be able to influence in the room. This doesn’t just go for the kitchen walls, either – check out how easily a repainted cabinet can transform the entire space. If you’re a renter, you’ll of course want to check in with the landlord before you start getting the paint brushes ready, but often it’s just a matter of promising to repaint it back to the original when the lease is over.
With all of these tips you can be sure to breathe a new lease of life into your kitchen, ensuring some fresh vibes to go with the food you’ll be preparing. What’s more, with a stylish kitchen, you’ll be wanting to show it off and invite some friends over for dinner. Dig in!
Thanks to Cookware Brands for collaborating on this post!
