Quick straw poll: what comes to mind when you hear the phrase “kitchen upgrades?”
We’re willing to bet the first thing that came to mind was something big, like a complete change in layout, new kitchen island, or fresh, new appliances.
Here’s the thing though: kitchen renovation doesn’t have to be expensive!
While these big-ticket renovations are certainly impressive, it actually doesn’t take much to make your kitchen feel completely new.
Even little changes can completely refresh your kitchen.
Please remember that you should always engaged a licensed professional to undertake these sorts of changes.
1) Let there be light – change your lightbulbs
Sometimes you don’t need to change anything about your kitchen – sometimes all it takes is a little bit of light.
Lighting has a huge impact on how rooms look and feel. For example, old-fashioned incandescent bulbs generally don’t shine as brightly as modern lamps.
This can often result in a kitchen that feels dirtier and less inviting.
In contrast, good lighting makes your kitchen feel more welcoming, and can even trick your brain into thinking that it’s bigger than it really is.
Not to mention, modern LED and CFL lights are also significantly more energy-efficient, saving you a pretty penny ono your power bill!
Discover some great kitchen lighting tips here.
2) Change the tap
Lighting isn’t the only thing in the kitchen that people underestimate – have you thought about your kitchen tap?
When choosing a new tap, you’ll want to consider both aesthetics and functionality.
For example, many modern faucets come with built-in hoses, making dish-washing significantly easier than with a standard tap.
Additionally, some taps come with water filters and a range of spray options for your convenience.
Interested in a new tap for your kitchen? Get in touch with a Doncaster plumber for expert advice and licensed, quality workmanship.
3) Give your kitchen a new paint job
You’d be surprised how effective a fresh coat of paint can be!
You don’t even have to repaint your entire kitchen.
Something as simple as repainting your cabinets (and perhaps updating the handles; more on that below) is a great first step to making your kitchen feel brand new.
Consider painting your cabinets a warm, welcoming colour that fits nicely with your kitchen bench and floor.
It’s also a good idea to choose colours that don’t show stains as easily – in addition to adding an air of sophistication to your kitchen, darker colours are ideal for hiding marks!
4) Take a look at your sink
Replacing your sink can easily lead to cost blowouts if you don’t plan properly.
The key to keeping everything under budget? Ensuring you buy a new sink that uses the same dimensions as your current one.
Want more space, though? Think about choosing a sink that’s deeper than your current one.
This allows you to fit more into your sink without the need to cut a larger hole in your countertop.
It’s also worth looking at materials. Is stainless steel too boring for your taste? If so, think about choosing ceramic or stone composite (both of which are much cheaper than natural stone) to give your kitchen a more exotic look.
Need help choosing a kitchen sink? Click here for suggestions from our Doncaster plumber.
5) Refinish your cooktops
While it might take a bit more preparation, it’s also worth thinking about giving your countertops a makeover too.
One option is to cover your laminate countertops with a vinyl sheet. This can replicate the appearance of marble and natural stone at a fraction of the price.
Another option is to paint over it, giving your kitchen a completely new look and feel.
Of course, it’s not as simple as taking a brush to your counter!
When painting a laminate countertop, your kitchen expert will:
- Clean the surface first and prepare your countertop with primer
- Choose appropriate paint – many countertop paints offer granite-look, specks and all
- Seal it afterwards with polyurethane to protect your paint job and give it that sheen
- Smooth out any lumps and bubbles
6) Swap out your handles and knobs
When many houses are built, many of the handles and knobs used around the house are plain and generic.
To cut down on costs, many contractors use the cheapest ones they can find or pull from their warehouse full of stock parts.
The result is a kitchen that feel identical to every other house out there.
Switching out your old knobs and handles is a small touch that can give your kitchen a unique character. Best of all, it can be done on the cheap!
7) Upgrade your plumbing
When it comes to kitchen upgrades, few consider their kitchen plumbing.
Don’t be fooled however, this can have a huge impact on how functional your kitchen is!
Is your kitchen sink always clogged?
Does your drain struggle?
Is water backing up in your kitchen?
In many older homes, drain pipes are much narrower. They’re just not up to the task of draining your water.
Fortunately, a kitchen plumber can help you swap out your old drain pipes out for new, wider drain pipes that better handle high volumes of water – that means fewer clogs and plumbing headaches.
Want to improve the functionality and look of your kitchen?
Talk to a Doncaster plumber about your kitchen upgrades
Does your kitchen improvement project involve fiddling with the plumbing? If so, you’ll want an expert on your side.
H2-Pro Plumbing offers expert knowledge and comprehensive domestic plumbing in Doncaster and north-east Melbourne.
Give us a call today on (03) 9844 1444 to chat to us about your kitchen goals!
Alternatively, get in touch with us using this form – we’ll get back to you soon.
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