8 simple and cheap changes that will upgrade your kitchen

Renovating or replacing a kitchen is an expensive dream, but you don't have to do everything or nothing. A kitchen designer lists 8 steps you can do all by yourself to make the kitchen look better.

  (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)
(photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

Do you want to renew and refresh, change the atmosphere at home and in the kitchen. But you don't always have the desire, or the financial possibility to enter into an extensive project. "Just like in the wardrobe, small changes make a big difference," says Shlomi Cohen, chief designer at Avivi Kitchens. We have collected some tips from him that can be easily applied and will help in a few simple steps to refresh an outdated and faded kitchen, and make it young and exciting.

  (credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)
(credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)

1. Replacing the kitchen handles

Cabinet handles come in a huge variety of styles and colors, and replacing them is not a complicated job. A nostalgic handle, with an interesting texture, or rather a simple and clean design, will completely change the appearance of the cabinets. Too much work? You don't have to replace them, you can paint the existing handles, there are special colors for kitchen handles today, they can also be upgraded just by using a new color.

  (credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)
(credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)

2. Painting a wall

One wall is a small project, and you don't have to be conservative in choosing the color. The darker the shade, the more dramatic the effect on the atmosphere. A yellow wall will fill the kitchen with morning energy, a blue or green wall will add a Mediterranean atmosphere, shades of red and burgundy can give a touch of drama.

  (credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)
(credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)

3. Accessories

The kitchen does not have to be purely functional. Interesting ornaments will catch the eye and break the boredom. The plates will probably remain in the closed cabinet, but in an open unit you can place next to useful utensils, also the candlesticks you inherited from your grandmother, some kind of statue and other things that you will not necessarily use to make an omelette.

  (credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)
(credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)

4. Flower pots

Plants in the kitchen window will also make you happy, will also add color and life, and will be a renewing and changing element, a new color every time, a plant for every season. You should adjust the plant to the amount of sunlight the kitchen receives, and don't forget to water, or choose patient plants that don't need a lot of water.

  (credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)
(credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)

5. Wallpapers

Crazy wallpaper on the fridge, ceramic-like wallpaper on the wall behind the sink. Wallpaper with a woody, colorful, solid or smooth look - there are so many options to update the look of the kitchen with wallpapers.

  (credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)
(credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)

6. Lighting

As every beginning filmmaker knows, lighting makes the difference. Even in the kitchen, lighting can compliment, create drama and you can play with it. A light fixture can be a central element in the design concept, its location and the intensity of the light it emits can change a kitchen from end to end.

  (credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)
(credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)

7. Secrets of drawers

Kitchen storage areas tend to get messy quickly. There are some accessories that will tidy up your mess and make life easier: mats at the bottom of the cupboard that hold the pots and pans so they won't move and make noise. Internal divisions inside the drawers by closed units create more storage spaces, and separate different tools. Internal partitions can be used in closed cabinets.

  (credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)
(credit: AVIVI KITCHENS)

8. The game of chairs

Replacement of the kitchen chairs at the island or in the dining area. Here, too, there are many options that make a difference easily.