Have you been feeling like your St. Louis kitchen needs a facelift? Does it look outdated or drab?  Renovating a kitchen can tremendously increase the value of your home, but it isn’t always an option due to the price tag. Here are some DIY ideas to update your kitchen and make it look like new.

Add a New Coat of Paint

Painting a room can instantly transform it into a clean and fresh space, however, you may not want to stop just with the walls. Do your cabinets look old and dated? Bring them to life with a new coat of paint. Make sure to do the prep work needed to ensure a professional look. Remove your cabinet doors and their hardware, sand the cabinets and the doors down to completely remove any previous stain or paint, clean any remaining dust, and give them a few coats of paint. A helpful hint – paint your cabinets a different but complementary color than your walls. For example, if your wall color is a pale blue, paint your cabinets white or cream. The complementary contrast will give it the look of a professional designer.

Swap Out Your Hardware

This is a simple and relatively inexpensive DIY project that will make a big difference aesthetically.  Remove your dated cabinet and drawer handles and replace them with new contemporary ones.  While you’re at it, you may want to change out your sink fixture to something a bit more modern and chic. If you’re choosing cabinet handles that are made from metal, just be sure your sink fixture is the same material to give it a finished look.

Add a New Backsplash

This DIY project may seem a little overwhelming at first, as removing your old backsplash can be a messy and tedious job. The good news is that once the old and dated material is removed, installing your new one is quite easy. There are many options to choose from, such as the peel and stick tiles, traditional mosaic tiles, or tin tiles; it all depends on your taste and the look you’re going for. Tin tiles are relatively easy to install and don’t require grout. If you do choose to go with a ceramic, you will have to grout to complete the installation. No matter your choice, a new backsplash can make over a kitchen immediately.

Utilize Wall and Ceiling Space

The one room in the home that can always use more storage is your kitchen, so consider adding decorative shelving or a pot rack. This can be done on a budget with simple metal or wood shelving, or you can splurge and add some moldings with your shelving – it all depends on your taste and what you’re willing to spend. Pot racks can be hung from the ceiling over an island or can be added to your shelving with decorative hooks. Get creative and utilize the space you have. Feel free to add decor, florals, or cookbooks  to your shelves as well to make the space feel bright and cheery.

Add an Island

If you have the space, why not add an island? Again, this can be high end or done on a budget. The counter top of the island doesn’t need to match your existing countertops, so feel free to choose a piece that fits the space and will work for your culinary needs. The height of the island should, however, be the same as the height as your lower cabinets to ensure the fluidity of the design.  Restaurant supply stores and warehouse stores carry the metal restaurant prep tables that work perfectly as an island, or if you are feeling more creative and want a vintage look, consider renovating an old dresser or farm table into your island. The options are limitless and can absolutely add some character and charm to your space.

You don’t have to break the bank to update your kitchen. Take a look at the space and pinpoint the items that make it look dated and start your DIY project there. You’ll see a noticeable difference with each project you tackle and in the end, you’ll have the kitchen of your dreams.