The kitchen is the heart of the home. It can also be a right pain if it isn’t working or looking how you imagined. Not every home can have a kitchen that wouldn’t look out of place on a cooking show or IKEA catalogue, but there are subtle changes you can make to transform a kitchen quickly.
I want to highlight a few that could work for you, regardless of what size of kitchen you have. Let’s get at it, shall we?
Organised Mess (or lack thereof)
Was your kitchen a testing ground for sourdough during lockdown last year? Was it the site of everyone trying to perfect banana bread too? I love the idea of seeing and grabbing anything you need for cooking at a moment’s notice. I’m not too fond of the idea of things being strewn across the kitchen counter.
That’s why I recommend you get some shelves above your splashback (or tiles) to give you somewhere to keep anything from flour to tea bags to olive oil tidied in plain sight. You will be surprised just how much of a difference it can make having a clear counter to look at.
And for anyone with literally no spaces on the walls, why haven’t you got a rotating shelf to pop in your cupboards already? They’re a lifesaver. I’ve even seen some people on YouTube keep one in the fridge for that shelf you keep jars and bottles on.
Radiators changing
The radiator is often neglected in the kitchen, especially if yours is tucked behind the dining table, and people are wont to hit their chairs off it getting in and out. If it is cumbersome, get rid of it. Of course, you don’t want a freezing cold kitchen, so save space by getting a towel rail. Figuratively flipping the radiator 90 degrees give you back wall space.
Plug Sockets looking the part
When in your life have you ever stopped to think about plug sockets? Well, right now would be one such time, but seriously, do you ever take notice of them in your kitchen? You will be surprised by the difference it can make for those sockets around the counter if you swap out the white plastic for something more metallic or black.
New sockets and covers are surprisingly cheap, and if you have the kind of kitchen where the plugs are used more for charging phones than using blenders, get yourself a nice look socket with USB ports. I’ve seen them online for less than £20, and they are a game-changer for family kitchens.
Going deep in the sink
This last tip is something of a splurge, but worth every penny. Considering a kitchen sink workstation could be a game-changer if you want to give a functional and aesthetic upgrade to your kitchen. It’s a multifunctional sink providing additional space for meal preparation and cleaning tasks. If you have a typical sheet metal sink with a drip tray, you can swap it out for a deep bowl sink in a matter of minutes. Most kitchens in the UK will have space under the sink where all the cleaning items are kept, and a deeper sink can fit in quite easily. You’ll be surprised that deep stainless steel sinks for the home can be around the £90-100 mark, while the more traditional ceramic bowls can be under £200 if you’re heading to B&Q or Homebase when a sale is on.
Honestly, swapping the sink will have a bigger impact on the look of your kitchen than you think.
Are you getting ready to redecorate your kitchen?
Is the kitchen next on your DIY/home renovation list? Then don’t start without reading this guide on innovative kitchen trends for 2021. You’re bound to pick up a new idea or two you haven’t thought of before!
