Easy Ways to Update your Kitchen

Is your kitchen a little outdated? Are you looking for ways to upgrade without completely renovating? I’ve shared some inexpensive and easy tips you could try to liven up your kitchen and make it feel brand new again!

Paint A coat of paint can really change the entire look and feel of a room. Painting your walls white will brighten up the space and make it feel fresh and clean. Or, pick one focal wall and paint it a different color from the rest, making it an accent wall. It’s an easy way to update your kitchen and make it trendy. It can be a darker (or lighter) shade than the rest of your walls, or a completely different color altogether. If you don’t want to paint the walls, you can paint your cabinets instead. It’s much more inexpensive to paint cabinets than to completely replace them. And, it will transform your kitchen and make it look brand new. If you’re feeling extra bold, paint both the walls and cabinets. It’s a quick way to update the space and change it around when you want something new and different.

Swap Outs Another quick and inexpensive way to make your kitchen look and feel brand new is to swap out your existing fixtures and furniture. Whether the items are new or recycled from other rooms in your home, these easy changes will definitely upgrade your kitchen. You can start with switching out your light fixtures – add a chandelier, pendant or hanging lights, put in recessed lighting, or add some lamps in different heights. You can play with window treatments (blinds or curtains), door and cabinet knobs and handles (change shape or color), and furniture (bar stools, breakfast table, bar cart, etc). By updating these things, you can have fun with the style of your kitchen and with colors, textures, and finishes. Your kitchen will look new without having to do a complete re-haul.

Appliances Who else has kitchen appliances on their counter tops? Coffee makers, blenders, toasters, utensil holders, spice racks, and the list goes on. These are things we use almost daily, so it would only make sense that we would leave them out where we can easily access them. Since they are always in sight, we can incorporate them in the style of our kitchen. Monotone appliances will create a cohesive look, while bright colors will add some vibrancy. Updating appliances will be more cost effective than tearing down the whole kitchen to update it. Additionally, other decorative pieces can be added to tie everything together, and can easily be changed with your evolving style. Displaying sweets in clear containers, adding colorful fruits in bowls, creating a coffee station with cream and sugar options, hanging pots above your island, are just a few ways to liven up your kitchen space.

What tips would you use to update your kitchen?  

Outdoor Decor Inspo

Are you looking for ways to upgrade your outdoor space? Want to spruce up your backyard or balcony but don’t know where to start? Try these tips below for a little (or a lot) transformation!

Garden Want to make your backyard pretty and functional? Plant a garden! Whether it’s a few rose bushes or several rows of fruits and vegetables, a garden can really bring your outdoor space to life. Flower beds in varying colors can be aesthetically pleasing. Not to mention, you'll always have fresh flowers for your home. Planting fruits and veggies can guarantee fresh produce for you and your family, and can save time (no more grocery runs) and money (no more grocery prices). You can have a garden on a balcony, too! Just plant your fruits or veggies in stacked boxes or hanging pots. Another pro to having a garden is that the act itself of planting, tending, watering, and gardening can be relaxing and stress-relieving.

Seating It doesn’t matter how big or small your outdoor space is – you still want to be able to go outside and enjoy it.. That’s why it’s important to have outdoor furniture. From hammocks or benches, to full on couches or dining tables, the possibilities are endless. If your space is on the smaller side, try to maximize the square footage with pieces that perform double duty. For example, stools or benches with hidden storage compartments, or tables that can be folded and put away to accommodate for more seating. Whatever you decide, have fun with colors, textures, and styles. By adding furniture to your backyard or balcony, you’ll be able to use it more – for yourself as a space to unwind and relax, or for entertaining and hosting friends and family. Think of it as an extension of your house!

Statement Pieces You always want to have a focal point in any room or space you design. In a backyard, that can be a pool, fire pit, bar area, kitchenette, couches, dining tables, garden, water fountain, etc. Whatever that may be in your outdoor space, make sure to pick pieces that complement the shape/color/style of that central spot. For example, if you have a round fire pit, consider arranging your seating around it to maximize space. If you’ve got a deck, build on those angular lines with benches or square tables. If you are decorating a balcony, you can use hanging chairs to add some flair and save some space. Of course, there are no rules, so have fun with the pieces you pick.

What is your favorite part of your backyard or balcony?

Spare Room Ideas

Got an extra room and not sure what to do with it? Check out three ideas below for how to utilize and maximize a spare room in your home.

Entertainment Room Turn your extra room into an entertainment center. Depending on the square footage, you can add a movie screen or projector, some armchairs or benches, and voila! You’ve got yourself your very own home theater. Or, add a pool table, ping-pong table, Foosball table (you get the idea) in the center of the room and build the rest of your entertainment center around it. Add seating, maybe some high-top tables, arcade machines, TV and console system, bar area, etc. The possibilities are endless. What do you like to do for fun? Design your entertainment room around that, and make it custom for you and your family and friends.

Dressing Room Feel like you don’t have enough room in your closet for all your clothes? Want a dedicated space to get ready? Turn your spare room into a dressing room/closet. If the room has a closet, fill it with all of your coats, sweaters, scarves, and whatever else you don’t want on display. Then, get rolling racks and place them against the walls and hang all of your dresses, shirts, jeans, etc. You can add a shelving unit or a freestanding island to house all your jewelry, sunglasses, handbags, and other accessories. Bring in a vanity for a space to do your hair/makeup, and maybe a chaise where you can throw your clothes (we all have a chair with piles of clothes on it, right?) or sit on to put on your shoes. Make it your dream closet!

Office Space Do you work from home, or bring work home with you? Do you need more storage space? Turn that extra room into a home office with added storage. A desk and chair will likely be the only furniture in your space, so bringing in cabinets and other shelving can provide for extra room for storage. Whether its electronics, clothes, home décor, or anything else, you can use your office to house all of those items you don’t want to store in the garage or even in storage units. This way, your items are always within reach, and you have somewhere quiet to work, or do crafts, or browse the net. It’s a great way to make the most of your extra square footage.

What would you do if you had a spare room in your home?