
Your kitchen is probably the busiest spot in your home! The place where everyone gathers at parties, the warmest part of the house on a cold winter’s day and we bet it’s also where multiple homework and arts and craft sessions take place too.
Regardless of what you’re doing in that kitchen when you’re not cooking, we know that keeping it looking sharp is a real challenge sometimes.
We spend so much of our time in what is an open plan home in most cases, which means the itch to give it a refresh can be strong!
So let’s take a look at some simple Budget-Friendly DIT tips, hacks and tasks that can give our hearth, the heart of our homes, a quick refreshing makeover!
1. Re-Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
A fresh coat of paint can transform your kitchen cabinets without needing a complete replacement. It’s a pretty obvious one that needs no joinery skills
DIY TIP:
- Choose a colour that complements your kitchen’s theme and your home’s aesthetic in general.
- Be sure to pick a paint that will be easy to clean and uber-durable! Choose paints designed to create a factory-finish look, resist staining and varying temperatures, and withstand frequent cleaning. Look for water-based and oil-based formulations, though water-based acrylic latex paints with enamel finish are highly recommended for their durability and ease of use.
Your Kitchen Painting Supplies Checklist:
- Sandpaper (to prep the cabinets)
- Primer (suitable for kitchen cabinets)
- Cabinet paint (water-resistant, easy to clean)
- Paintbrushes and rollers
- Painter’s tape (to protect walls and handles)
- Drop cloths (to protect countertops and floors)
When selecting paint, it’s also a good idea to consult with professionals at your local Homevalue store or Homevalue.ie to get recommendations on the best products they have available for kitchen cabinets. They can provide guidance on the latest paints that offer the best durability and cleaning ease for kitchen environments.
2. Update Cabinet Fixtures and Fittings
Change those old cabinet knobs and handles to transform your kitchen into a more contemporary or even more rustic space. It’s a great styling accessory that will lend character to your space. It’s also an easy and inexpensive way to give your kitchen a new look.
DIY TIP:
- Make sure you get samples first to test against your existing cabinets before committing to purchasing a complete set.
- If the new handles you are purchasing don’t fit the holes from your current handles, ensure you have filler and paint matching your cabinet colour to cover the old holes in your cabinets.
- You could also use this opportunity to update your sink taps. It can serve both as a much more efficient and sustainable functional upgrade and creates a visual point of interest.
Supplies Checklist for Changing Kitchen Fixtures:
- New knobs and handles
- Screwdriver
- Power Drill
- Spirit Level
- Filler & Paint (if you need to fill holes from old knobs & handles)
- New tap fixtures (make sure it fits your sink’s configuration)
- Adjustable wrench
- Plumber’s tape
- Bucket (to catch water when changing plumbing fixtures)
3. Adding a New Tile Backsplash or Countertop
A new backsplash to your main cooking area can add a significant style change to your kitchen. There are a host of Peel-and-stick tiles that offer easy DIY options if you do not want to commit to the more involved and specialist task of ripping off tiles and reinserting new ones.
Consider applying a new countertop stick-on finish as a simple cost-effective alternative to replacing the whole physical countertop. You could use a countertop painting kit or a self-adhesive countertop laminate.
DIY TIP:
- Buy extras just in case you underestimated the size or need to correct a mistake.
- Prepare the surface by cleaning it thoroughly: The wall surface must be clean, smooth, and dry for the tile stickers to adhere.
- Plan it – measure and plan the layout of your tile stickers. Decide where you will start and end, and how you will handle corners and edges and you may want to number the tiles in advance.
- Ensure the edges of each tile align perfectly with its neighbors to maintain a consistent pattern and avoid gaps.
Supplies Checklist for Replacing the Backsplash :
- Peel-and-stick tiles.
- Utility knife (for cutting tiles to fit)
- Spirit Level (to ensure tiles are straight)
- Measuring tape
- Countertop painting kit or self-adhesive laminate sheets
- Sandpaper (if painting)
- Utility knife (for laminate sheets)
- Squeegee (to smooth out laminate)
4. Replace Kitchen Light Fixtures
Inserting New or additional light fixtures can brighten your kitchen not just decoratively – you could be adding more much needed task lighting at designated work areas.
Updating the light fixtures in your kitchen can be a good opportunity for attaching a Diffuser or shade to give your kitchen softer lighting and creating a cosier feeling when not working.
DIY TIP:
When it comes to handling electrical items, we must stress Safety First!
- Turn off all the Power for the lighting circuit your kitchen is in. This is turned off at the main electrical panel. You can use a circuit tester to confirm the power is off at the fixture.
- Use a decent stable stepladder to help you comfortably reach each fixture without stretching.
- Wear rubber-based safety gloves just in case you touch a live surface.
- After you unscrew the fixture from its mounting, you must carefully disconnect the wires by unscrewing the wire nuts.
- How to choose the Right Bulb? Make sure the bulbs you source are appropriate for the fixture’s rating (e.g., wattage, type). Nowadays we suggest you only choose LED bulbs that are recommended for their energy efficiency and longevity.
- When you’re testing your light fixtures post installation, some may not come on. Just double-check your connections and the main lighting switchboard.
Supplies Checklist for updating Kitchen Lights
- New light fixture(s)
- Wire nuts (for connecting wires)
- Screwdriver
- Ladder
5. Reduce Clutter with More Strategic Shelving
Adding more higher-level open shelving can provide extra storage and display space for dishes, spices, and decorations.
DIY TIP:
- Use this open shelving to curate a more decorative display.
- If you are displaying functional items – reduce the sense of clutter by aligning items of similar height and material finish together.
Supplies Checklist for Upgrading Kitchen Shelves
- Shelves (consider floating shelves for a modern look)
- Brackets and screws (if not included with shelves)
- Spirit Level
- Drill
Practical Tips for any Kitchen Makeover Project
There are some common-sense practical things that will save you a whole lot of headache, time, money and not to mention, prevent bodily harm too. Ready?
- Plan Your project by measuring all spaces accurately and list all supplies before purchasing. Draw out your plan in advance and label locations with a pencil where you can, to avoid mistakes.
- Always grab a few spare quantities of any fixtures or stickers or even smaller light fittings just in case.
- Budget Wisely: Keep track of costs to avoid overspending on unnecessary items.
- Don’t forget Safety first! Always follow safety guidelines when using tools and materials – be sure to wear your safety gloves, goggles and shoes where necessary.
We hope the supplies checklist will help you get started!
Visit the Homevalue.ie website to look for key items or contact just speak to our team the next time you’re at one of our stores! They’ll be ready with specific product recommendations that will be appropriate to your projects!
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