Does your Chicago kitchen need a facelift? Does it feel outdated or bland?  In many cases, renovating a kitchen can increase the value of your home, but without a good plan the cost can quickly spiral out of control. Here are some simple DIY ideas to update your kitchen and make it look and feel like new.

Consider a New Coat of Paint

Changing the color of a room is the easiest way to breathe new life into the space. However, you may not want to stop with just the walls. Do your cabinets look dated? Consider resuscitating them with a new coat of paint. To ensure a professional look, remove the cabinet doors and the hardware, sand the cabinets doors down to remove any previous stain or paint, clean thoroughly to remove any remaining dust, and then give them a few coats of paint. For a professional design result, paint the cabinets a different but complementary color to your walls. For instance, if your wall color is a pale blue, paint your cabinets in white or cream.

Change Out the Hardware

This is a simple and inexpensive project that will make a big aesthetic difference. Remove your outdated cabinet and drawer handles and replace them with new contemporary ones. Changing your sink fixture to something more modern can also produce impressive results for a minimal expenditure. If you choose cabinet handles that are made from metal, be sure your sink fixture is the same material to give the room a finished look.

Update the Backsplash

This project may seem a little overwhelming at first glance, as removing the existing backsplash can be a messy and arduous task. The upside is that once the old material is removed, installing the new backsplash is quite easy. There are many options to choose from, such as peel-and-stick tiles, mosaic tiles, tin tile, etc. It all depends on the look you’re going for. Tin tiles don’t require grouting, which makes them relatively easy to install. If choose ceramic tiling, you will have to add grouting to complete the installation, which may be a deterrent for the novice remodeler. Whatever choice you make, a new backsplash can give your kitchen an immediate makeover.

Maximize Wall and Ceiling Space

Every kitchen can use more storage, so think about adding some decorative shelving or pot racks. It can be budget-friendly with simple metal or wood shelving, or you can go all out and add some moldings with your shelving. Pot racks can be hung tastefully from the ceiling over an island, or decorative hooks can be added to your shelving. Adding florals or cookbooks to your shelves will make the room feel brighter and cheerier.

Consider Adding an Island

Your space will have to allow it, but if it does, why not add an island? This can be high-end or done on a budget. You don’t need to match the island countertop to your existing countertops, so you can choose a piece that fits well design-wise and works for your culinary needs. The height of the island should be the same height as your lower cabinets, though, to ensure design fluidity. The options are limitless, and an island can add additional character and charm to the space.

If you have any questions or would like some referrals to local stores or handymen, I’d be happy to help.