The Sunday Mail
MOST of us probably do not cook in our dream kitchen. Instead, we deal with our kitchens’ quirks and inconveniences on a daily basis. Thankfully, your kitchen can still be a place that you love and cherish – a place you enjoy, and not merely tolerate.
These small changes are easy upgrades, but they will go a long way towards making you feel more organised and uplifted in your kitchen.
Add or change lighting
If the lighting in your kitchen is dim or you hate the overhead fixture, change it. Switching out an overhead light fixture is much easier than it sounds. It does not have to be super expensive, either.
Change drawer or shelf liners
When was the last time you changed those shelf liners? Or maybe you do not have any at all.
Laying down a fresh nonstick liner will give you an opportunity to take everything out of your cabinets (and put them back in an organised way), and clean the cabinet or drawer so you start out fresh. There are simply so many uses for a non-slip liner.
Bonus tip: You do not have to stick with white.
Add a rug
I used to have ugly, gray laminate floors in my kitchen, and it made a huge difference when I first put down a red cotton rug a couple years ago. I have since upgraded to better tiles, which were easy to install. I vacuum them frequently, and they have held up well.
Replace the faucet
This is a very simple, straightforward way to upgrade your kitchen, particularly if it is a rental. Really, anyone can do it!
Yes, faucets can get pretty pricey, you can find single-handle faucets for as low as US$60, and nicer, high arched faucet spouts for about US$120 – a small investment for something you use multiple times a day.
Update the hardware
Switching out your old knobs or pulls for something more modern or decorative can really transform the look of your cabinets, particularly if they are bland contractor-grade.
Get a great dish rack
I went through two replacements of a cheap wooden dish rack, which warped and cracked both times, before I settled on a heavy-duty dish rack. I have had it for a few years now, and it is held up under even the highest mound of drying dishes, which made it worth the price.
As someone without a dishwasher, it makes a big difference to have a reliable dish rack – not to mention it looks nice sitting on the counter.
Add more storage space with small wire shelves
Wire shelves and under-cabinet baskets make sure you are using all the space available in your cabinets, and even your fridge and freezer.
Cover ugly countertops
Putting in brand new countertops is not a small change. So to improve on what you have, try one of these tips.
If you are a renter and cannot make any permanent changes, top a portion of your countertop with a big, handsome cutting board. It is functional and good-looking. thekitchn.com
