Whilst you might be forgiven for assuming it would be the stomach, the kitchen is the heart of the home.  Often, it’s the first room in the house that really makes an impression on guests, and it’s the room where we greet the day for breakfast and bid it adieu with our evening meals.  As such, it’s often the first room homeowners look to when they’re considering renovations.

Turning your standard kitchen into a luxury one, however, shouldn’t cost you a fortune and shouldn’t require a complete refit.  Indeed, with a decent amount of creative thinking and a little bit of effort, you can comfortably create a luxury kitchen.

Going Open Plan

By opening up your kitchen and dining area into one open plan space, you’ll make the ground floor of your home feel that much larger and that much more modern. Once the space is open, it’s up to you to decide what to do with it. Install a breakfast bar or kitchen island, use the extra space to upgrade your fridge/freezer or indulge in a luxury dining table and chairs that match the décor of your kitchen for a cohesive look. Taking a sledgehammer to a wall is always fun too, of course. But make sure you know what you’re doing before you start swinging!

Go Second Hand

Whilst it might be easy to baulk at the idea of buying a second-hand kitchen, you’ll be utterly amazed what you can find online if you’re willing to look for it. Often, when homeowners move into a new home they will have the existing kitchen removed simply because it doesn’t align with their personal tastes.  Often, these kitchens are in perfect condition. If you shop smart, you might be able to find a complete kitchen for next to nothing, or at least parts of a kitchen that can be painted to fit your existing cabinets.

Add Colour

Perhaps the most simple and surprisingly effective small change you can make to give your kitchen a new lease of life is to repaint your cabinets. Rather than going through the financial and logistical hassle of ripping out and replacing your existing units, you’d be surprised what a fresh lick of paint in a new bold colour scheme can accomplish. If the layout of your kitchen is functionally decent and the cupboards and cabinets are in good condition, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t at least attempt a colour shakeup before moving on to more drastic measures.

Keeping the Fittings Fresh

Besides the work surfaces, ovens, fridges and freezers, kitchens are made up primarily of storage. If the appliances are working fine and are functionally perfect where they are, consider instead focusing your efforts on swapping out the cupboards and cabinets. Changing the kitchen furniture will also allow you to pare things back and go with a more minimalist design or go in the opposite direction if you have a lot of kitchen utensils and gadgets to keep track of. It’s your kitchen, so don’t be afraid to follow your heart.

(Photo Credit: Pixabay)