11 Ways to Freshen up Your Outdated Kitchen

Think of your cupboard doors as mini works of art. They set the tone for your space and give your kitchen a polished look. If you don’t have the budget to completely replace yours, consider giving them a nice, neutral coat of paint.

White decor in the kitchen is classic, but that’s for a reason. Not only do white hues give off a smooth, clean finish, but they brighten and open up a small space, too. Added bonus? You can always play around with your accent colours because white goes with everything.

Have an awkward side wall and don’t know what to do with it? Put up a chalkboard to keep track of meal planning or groceries. Don’t have the budget for a chalkboard? Throw a pretty piece of paper in a picture frame and hang that instead. The glass is perfect for reusable markers.

Just because you’re giving your kitchen a facelift doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything from the past. Keep antiques — like these milk bottles — and incorporate them into your final design for a little extra charm.

When sprucing up the kitchen, don’t forget about the counter. If fancy marble isn’t in your budget, don’t worry. There are plenty of less expensive options, like laminate, glass and tiled surfaces.

If you’ve got the space for an island, double up the prep area by using it as a storage unit or table too. Don’t worry about matching it with the rest of the kitchen, either. As you can see from this photo, sometimes unique pieces are what really finish a room.

No room for art? Not to worry — use your dishes as pieces of art instead by removing cupboard doors and going for an exposed look. Note that this only works if you don’t have hoards of dishes stacked on top of other dishes. Clean and simple are the rules to follow here.

If you really want to establish the room, don’t forget to pay attention to entry or pantry doors, too. Sliding doors work better for smaller spaces, but gorgeous wood finish on traditional pantry doors such as these definitely makes a statement.

Rustic is nice, but if you want updated rustic, consider adding some more futuristic elements to your design, such as chrome fixtures or faucets. The juxtaposition will make you look like a design genius.

Just as white is always a classic choice, so are natural elements. Exposed brick or barn-board work wonders when you’re going for a more rustic feel.

Just because a kitchen is a workspace doesn’t mean it can’t be charming — like you. Add some greenery or a framed photo to give the finished look a little more polish and personality.