When you’re cooking, have you ever found yourself becoming frustrated with the functionality and design of your kitchen? A full kitchen remodel can be very expensive, but there are some things you can do on your own that will make your kitchen time more enjoyable. Here are some DIY ideas to improve your Des Moines kitchen:

Add More Storage

Do you have to dig through drawers and cabinets to find a pan or a utensil?  Do you ever have to empty the contents of a cabinet to find what you’re looking for? If so, you probably need more storage space. Your wall and ceiling offer great (and attractive) opportunities for storing your most used items. In particular, pots and pans are bulky and can easily fill up cabinets. Incorporating pot racks, though, is an easy fix for easily accessing your cooking tools. If you have a kitchen island, you should consider installing a pot rack that hangs over it. If you don’t have an island, you can DIY a simple pot rack by hanging a stained 4x4 on the wall and attaching hooks to it. Use the top of the wood as a shelf for knick-knacks, oils, or spices. Shelving fitted with hooks below is another terrific option for additional storage. For the things you don’t want to see every day, you can add some organizational systems to the inside of your cabinets.

Increase Counter Space

If you often feel like you don’t have enough counter space, there are some good ways to add more. You can add a workstation if you have the square footage — maybe add an island in the middle of the kitchen or create a new workstation against an existing wall. You don’t necessarily need to use a prefabbed cabinets with a custom countertop. A stainless-steel table usually sold for use in the garage can make a great kitchen workspace. So can an old dresser or a hutch with the doors removed. Look through the house and garage and keep an open mind as to what you can repurpose to meet your needs. You probably already have something that would work perfectly.

Add a New Coat of Paint

Nothing brightens up a room more than a fresh coat of paint on the walls, but you don’t need to stop there. You can give your cabinets an impressive makeover with paint. Just be sure to clean the surfaces and sand them down before you start painting. When choosing a paint color for your kitchen, choose something light and bright. If you do decide to paint your cabinets, choose a contrasting yet complimentary color to the walls. For example, if you paint your walls a pale green, you may want to paint your cabinets a crisp white. For increased functionality, consider painting an area with chalkboard paint for reminders and lists. You can give it a finished look by framing it with molding.

Update Your Hardware and Fixtures

Adding a new and updated faucet not only looks great, it also gives you greater functionality.  Installing the faucet is a great first time DIY plumbing project. However, make sure you turn off the water valve first. Updating the hardware on cabinets and drawers is a simple way for an instant kitchen upgrade.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and a place for family and friends to gather. By giving your space a DIY makeover, your kitchen will be a place where you’ll be happier to entertain and spend your time.

If you need a recommendation for a local handyman, or if there’s something else we can be of assistance with, please get in touch. We’re always happy to help.