Where do you start with making a kitchen your own? Regardless of your style and taste preferences, many kitchens we rent or buy aren’t up to our style standards. While you may not have the funds (or permission) to do an entire kitchen renovation, there are many cost-friendly ways to change your kitchen’s look according to your preferences. Making the space your own can help inspire you and make you feel more welcome.
Appliances
Kitchen appliances are expensive, so replacing them outright may not be an option. However, you can change your appliances' color by finding peel-and-stick colors that match your appliances’ models. Smaller stickers, magnets, and hand towels can also alter their appearance. You can also display smaller appliances, such as rice cookers, electric mixers, kettles, or blenders that suit your tastes better to make the space your own. Adding a spice rack to your oven range hood or changing the shelving in your fridge is another subtle, cost-effective way to personalize your kitchen.
Pots and Pans
You can make a kitchen look entirely different with the types of pots and pans you own, especially when you openly display them. If you’re proud of a few colorful or high-end pots and pans in your kitchen, consider displaying them on a pot rack or display hook. While openly displaying pots and pans may not work for the minimalists, it can complement many other tastes and styles in your creative kitchen design.
Countertops and Cabinets
Your countertops and the attached cabinets represent a large portion of your kitchen’s appearance. While replacing your entire cabinetry may not be affordable, you can alter or change their look in more cost-friendly ways. Custom countertops can help complement your cabinetry and kitchen theme better without replacing everything, though that is another option. You can paint your existing cabinets with the color you choose and some finish. You can add stickers, peel-and-stick colors, or wallpaper to alter your current cabinet’s appearance without mess or cost. While a subtler approach, changing your cabinet and drawer handles can also add new flair.
Backsplash
A kitchen’s backsplash protects your walls from cooking splatter and provides additional decoration. Subway tile is a typical backsplash in modern kitchens, but it can come in practically any pattern, color, or texture. There are even peel-and-stick backsplashes for those who don’t want to bother laying tile the traditional way. A backsplash can add a touch of color or style to an otherwise ‘plain’ kitchen, and some installation methods allow you to remove them once you move out (perfect for renters).
Flooring
Take a look at your kitchen’s floors. Do you like them? Flooring is one of the many options you can change about your kitchen. Vinyl, tile, and hardwood are popular options, but make sure your flooring choice can handle frequent kitchen spills, drops, and stains. While replacing the flooring isn’t always the most cost-effective renovation approach, you can add some low-cost vinyl floors that can change your kitchen’s appearance.
Herbs and Spices
A simple spice rack or display can make a kitchen look charming and customized. Displaying your spices can also make them easier to access, which is a win-win. There are fold-out spice racks that extend out of your cabinet for easier access. There are also spinning spice racks that add a beautiful centerpiece to a countertop or island. If you’re stumped on how to make a kitchen your own, try some spice rack options.
Oven Mitts
While oven mitts are usually an essential kitchen tool, you can also use them to decorate your kitchen! Oven mitts come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. You can hang them off of your cabinet handles or hooks to show them off. You can even buy seasonal mitts for partial display. Kitchen towels work like this, too, if displaying oven mitts isn’t your style.
Kitchen Mats
Kitchen mats are a great way to change your flooring’s look or color without undergoing an entire re-flooring. Many kitchen mats help with foot pain and fatigue while you’re standing and cooking, too. Try a few floor mats in front of areas where you frequently stand to see how you like them. You can get floor mats in various shapes, colors, or textures. Think of them as kitchen-friendly rugs!
Organization Techniques
Organizing the food and supplies in your kitchen can make it look completely different. Pantry storage containers come in many shapes and sizes. Consider transferring your foods and supplies to these containers to make them look more organized and tailor-made. Pasta, cereal, sugar, rice, and flour can be put into permanent storage canisters with labels for a darling appearance. You can add foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper into permanent storage containers, reducing clutter and store-bought packaging. It helps with organization, too!
Lighting
A room’s lighting makes a huge statement. You can swap lighting fixtures to suit your tastes better. Alternatively, you can change your light bulb styles for dimming or color-changing options or hang string lights from the walls for a relaxed, bohemian look. You can even use colorful appliance lighting to create a fun, customized look.
