While you probably thought your kitchen decor was beautiful when you first designed it, after a few years it begins to get a bit old and dull; you’re ready for a change, but you don’t have the money for a complete remodeling job.  In this article, you will discover some great tips for transforming your kitchen without draining your budget.

Brighten up the kitchen and create an airy look for summer

Summer is just around the corner, and you want a kitchen that is fresh, light and appealing.  To achieve an open, bright look place mirrors on the walls in your dining room to reflect the light from the windows.  Place the mirrors directly across the room from windows or in a corner on the wall adjacent to the wall with a window for the most reflected light.

Rearrange the kitchen furniture to create a “summer arrangement”.  You could move the furniture into a diagonal pattern; take a leaf out of the table to create more space, even remove dark colored or heavily patterned table runners and chair pads, replacing them with bright colored cotton fabrics for an airy effect.

Freshen up the walls

Painting the walls is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to change the look of a room.  In the kitchen, bright colors offer a cheerful atmosphere.  While you may like white, try light shades of apricot, sage green or butter yellow.

Texturing techniques can add drama, and are easy to do.  Learn how to sponge, rag roll or feather dust a wall to create intricate patterns that are much like textured wall paper or stucco walls.

Bring the outdoors inside with plants

Real or silk, plants add life to any room.  Sit live or silk plants in window sills in ceramic or copper planters; hang a larger plant from the ceiling to dress up a bare corner.  If you have an open area above your kitchen cabinets, arrange several plants of various sizes for an appealing look.

Rugs – the solution to a variety of problems

Do your floors lack color?  Are they worn in areas where traffic is heavy?  A new floor can cost a great deal of money, but rugs can give your kitchen a whole new look and add color and warmth to a room.

If you have a country kitchen, add brightly colored sunflower rugs in high traffic areas or in front of the sink.  Bold, bright patterns work well in a modern kitchen. For a bistro-style or French country kitchen, large oriental rugs make a dramatic impact.  Today, you can find rugs in any style, shape, size or color to suit your decorating needs – and they’re great for covering up worn areas, burn marks and more!

Look around to see what might work for you.  There are lots of simple ideas you can find in home decorating magazines, on television, even online.  Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re just browsing around with nothing specific in mind.

Put these ideas to work in your kitchen – you will be amazed at how much appeal you can add to your kitchen with a minimum of money or effort.

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the most expensive projects you can take on in your home.  In fact, having a professional complete the renovations can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on what you have done.

You can do much of the renovation yourself and save a bundle of money.  For about 1/2 or less of what you would pay a professional, there are some things you can do that will give your kitchen a whole new look, and greatly add to the value of your home.

In the sink area

A tile backsplash adds color and pizzazz to your kitchen, and pullout faucets offer a modern look while making your sink more functional.

For about $4 per square foot, tile can brighten the room and add interest.  Consider a checkerboard pattern or alternating colors that lend to the decor of the room.  Also keep in mind that tiles do not have to match counter tops; a contrasting look is interesting and adds depth.  You can find floral and abstract patterned tiles, even tiles with fruit motifs.

A pullout faucet can be purchased for around $250, and offers a variety of looks, from traditional to sleek and contemporary.  Not only can you find chrome finishes, today’s pullout faucets are available in brushed stainless steel and copper as well.

The look of new cabinets

Having cabinets built is one of the most expensive aspects of remodeling your kitchen, but you can reface or refinish them yourself if the structure is still good for about 1/2 the price of new cabinetry.

If you decide to refinish your cabinets, this will require stripping the finish and then staining or painting the surface.  For re-facing, you will need to remove cabinet and door fronts and replace them with matching veneers.  Changing the hardware on your drawers and cabinets will also give them an updated new look.

Jazz up the walls

Bland colored walls are becoming a thing of the past.  One of the quickest and most affordable ways to give your kitchen a new look is to paint, stencil or wallpaper the walls using vibrant colors and appealing designs.

Instead of a white or off-white wall, consider bold colors such as green, blue and rustic red.  Soft yellow is nice if you have a small kitchen that needs a bright color; trim out the walls in contrasting or complementary colors to really set off the walls.  Stenciling and sponging techniques allow you to give the walls texture and added design.

Update appliances

Sure, a new refrigerator or stove is expensive – but you don’t have to buy a new one if the one you have now still works well.

If your appliances look a bit outdated or don’t really blend well with your new decor, consider painting them with appliance paint.  You can also buy new panels to put on your appliances so that they blend with your cabinets and lend to the new look of your kitchen.

As you can see, you don’t have to spend a fortune to create your dream kitchen!  Update the windows with new window treatments; consider a porcelain or stainless steel sink.  There are dozens of budget-friendly ways you can transform the look of your kitchen.

While some decorating themes go out of style, many come back in with a vengeance!  Today, a retro 1950′s style kitchen is back and better than ever.  Known for a clean look and bright colors, the look brings to mind those old diners like those featured in the television show Happy Days and the movie American Graffiti.  If you are looking to give your kitchen a vintage look, the tips and ideas below will help.

First things first

Before you get down to the details, your retro style kitchen should be open, bright and airy so you want to avoid clutter.  Remove those things you do not use on a regular basis, and put the knick-knacks away.

Instead of wooden cabinet doors, replace them with glass fronts so that you can put your old or vintage dishes on display.  A checkerboard pattern on the floor designed with black and white tiles is appealing and adds to the retro look.  Consider adding a mezzanine so that one area of your kitchen is elevated, complete with two or three steps for easy access to that level.

The dining room is plain and simple

The dining furnishings used in a 1950′s setting are simple and often crafted of vinyl, Formica and chrome.  If you have a bar area suitable for eating, add red vinyl stools for sitting.  A Formica topped table flanked with vinyl seating and chrome tube legs adds further authenticity to the look.  The look is modern and clean.  If you want to cover the table with a tablecloth, vinyl in a checked red and white pattern or solid color adds to the look.  Top with a white vase filled with red and white flowers, and an old-style chrome napkin holder.

Appliances may be hard to find, but don’t despair

Finding those appliances that were actually made in the 1950′s may prove a difficult task, and it would be especially hard to find them in condition to work and that you can depend upon.

There are plenty of vintage-style pieces you can find that were made in recent years but designed to look like those from the 50′s.  To really accomplish the retro look, find stoves and refrigerators in bright colors such as red or yellow.

Decorate the walls to complete the look

For the walls, nothing is better for achieving a retro 1950′s look than a chalkboard, complete with the menu for the day.  Old tin signs add further to the appeal; find some large black and white photographs or prints and frame them in black or chrome.

Accessorize your kitchen with a vintage inspired toaster, blender and canister set.  Display clear milk shake glasses in your cabinets, along with a few clear glass coffee mugs on a hanging rack.  If you have the money, go all the way and invest in a juke box!

Always keep in mind that black, white and red are the basic colors when it comes to giving your kitchen a 1950′s retro look.  Have fun with it!

The kitchen is the heart of many homes; it’s where families enjoy meals and time together.  Guests also tend to congregate in the kitchen, so you want it to be as beautiful and inviting as possible.  If your kitchen/dining area has had the same old look for a while and you’re ready for a change, this article offers some helpful tips and ideas.

Start with a fresh coat of paint

Your walls and ceiling are the “canvas” of your kitchen.  Before you do anything else, freshen them up with a coat or two of paint.

Ceilings look best when painted in a flat white.  This makes the room appear airy and open.  For the walls, choose any color that suits the decorating theme you have in mind.  Always remember that dark colors absorb light, so if your kitchen is on the small side you may want to stick to light paint colors.

You don’t have to use white of off-white for the walls; in fact, a bright cheery yellow, soft orange or sage green may be perfect, depending on the look you want to achieve.

Keep the cabinets in mind

If your cabinets are wood, keep their color in mind when shopping for paint for the walls.  The last thing you want to do is paint the walls a color that will clash with the cabinets.

The cabinets can be given a makeover as well if you cannot afford new ones.  If they’re wood, simply sand the varnished layer off, paint with white wood primer, and then finish with any color you like.  Adding new knobs and hardware will also freshen up the look of your cabinets.

If you like a rustic, worn look then simply sand around the edges after painting your cabinets.  Focus upon those areas where they would naturally “wear”.

Dress up the floors

Kitchen flooring can be expensive, but if you can afford it the beauty added to your home is priceless.  There are all kinds of options from ceramic and stone tiles to hardwoods, laminates and vinyl.  If you can install it yourself, you will save about half of the total cost.

If you cannot afford to replace your kitchen floor, consider painting it instead!  Not many people realize it, but you can paint old linoleum or vinyl.  Give it two or three coats of paint, then add about 3 layers of a protective top coat.  You can even stencil “patterns” on the floor before you add your top coat; just paint those patterns in colors to match your decor.

Once you have completed your remodeling project, clear out the clutter.  Clutter makes rooms look messy.  Clear the counter tops of any small appliances that you don’t use often.

Add an accent rug by the door if you have an entrance in your kitchen, and one in front of the sink area.  Decorate the walls, add a fresh new centerpiece to the dining room table and you’re done!  You have an entirely new kitchen, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

If you’re tired of the current decor in your kitchen and want to give it a fresh new look but you don’t have a lot of money to spend, there are plenty of ways to give your kitchen a new look!  Your kitchen is one of the most used room in your home.  It’s where your family shares meals and the happenings of the day, and where guests congregate to enjoy coffee, pastries and good conversation.

Everyone wants a warm, welcoming kitchen.  Below you will find a few ideas for giving your kitchen an updated and appealing new look.

Paint – the easiest way to transform your kitchen

For years, paint has been one of the most affordable ways to renovate your home, and it’s great for updating your kitchen as well.

Color sets the mood of the room; consider painting your walls a warm shade of amber or rustic red, trimmed in cream or sand.  Cool colors work as well to create a relaxing atmosphere; soft shades of blue and green create an inviting atmosphere.

If your cabinets are worn or dull, give them a face-lift with paint!  After painting, protect with a clear coat finish for a glossy new look.

Give your windows a unique touch

Curtains and blinds can get old, so why not update the look of your windows with a personal touch that is unique?

Consider brightly decorated dish towels as curtains; just hang them across a thin rod with wooden clothes pins!  This is a great look if your kitchen is decorated in a country or western theme.

Another great idea is to use cloth place mats.  Just layer them over each other, and hot glue against a flat curtain rod.

De-clutter and organize

One of the fastest ways to give your kitchen a breath of fresh air is to clean out the clutter!  Remove all small appliances from counter tops that you don’t use very often, and store them in a closet or underneath the counters.

If you have household bills, magazines and other “clutter” piled up on the counter or dining room table, find a drawer or basket to keep them in.  You would be amazed at how open, clean spaces change the look of a room!  Best of all, this transformation is free.

Some of your trash may be treasure!

If you throw away old bottles and jars, consider keeping a few as decorative items!  Fill them with pasta, dried beans, herbs, red peppers, olives and other colorful items and set them above your top cabinets if you have the type that are open to the ceiling.

Some old boxes make great decorative items as well; think of old-time cornstarch or baking soda boxes and cardboard canisters that are often sold in fundraisers and filled with jerky.

Throw rugs can beautify the floor

If you have burn spots, cracked tiles or signs of other mishaps on your kitchen floor, consider throw rugs.  Colorful throw rugs add color as well as texture, and can cover any bad spots so that no one knows they are there but you.

There are literally dozens of cheap things you can do to give your kitchen an entirely different look.  Use your imagination, and remember – your kitchen is yours, so do anything that shows off your personal tastes and decorating talents!

Many homes have a small kitchen and dining room area, which is unfortunate considering that these are the rooms in which many families spend most of their time.  How can you open up this area and make it more appealing?  There are many things you can do to brighten up a small area and make it look more spacious.   The tips and ideas in this article will help you do just that.

Just remember, before you start to make changes, that you really love the decorating theme, otherwise you will never be happy with the results.

Choosing the right colors

Since your kitchen and dining room are already on the small side, you want to avoid dark colors as much as possible.  Dark shades will only make the room look smaller, so stick to light colors.

Pale hues of country blue, peach, soft yellow and cream are perfect for the kitchen.  You may even want to consider a monochromatic color scheme.  An ultra light gray shade combined with country blue and white is beautiful, and makes the room look more spacious.  It is perfectly fine to use small splashes of bright color to add interest and depth to the room.

Choose small scale furnishings

When it comes to the dining room, consider a modern or contemporary style of table and chairs.  This style of furniture is usually built on a smaller scale; lines are sleek and clean, giving the room a more spacious appearance.

Traditional or country furnishings tend to be on the bulky side, so you probably want to avoid this type of furniture.  If you must use this style in your decorating, choose a round table that is smaller in diameter or one with drop-down sides.

If you need an island in your kitchen, consider one that rolls so that you can place it in a closet or the pantry when not in use.

Minimize clutter

Clutter can take over a room and make it look messy and it takes up space on the kitchen counter.  Your goal is to achieve clean, open spaces.  Put small appliances away when not in use, and avoid trying to decorate the tops of the counters with knick-knacks, plants and other items.

The appliances you choose can also make a difference in how open and spacious your kitchen appears.  White or stainless steel tend to look clean and open, while black or dark colored appliances absorb light instead of reflecting it.

Brighten up the walls

If you currently have wood paneling or walls that are painted a dark color, paint them a light color.  Wallpaper with busy patterns also diminishes the size of a room, so consider removing it and using a solid color.

Bright pictures with light colored frames add an additional splash of color; consider hanging a large mirror on the wall along one side of the dining room table.  It will reflect the entire room, making it appear twice the size!

These tips and ideas will help you design a kitchen and dining room that appears open and inviting.  You don’t have to live with a small kitchen – transform it in to a space you and your family will love!

Nothing is more relaxing and cozy than a rustic or log cabin kitchen.  The wood elements that are often incorporated in this style of decor are comfortable, natural and appealing; this type of kitchen says “home” like no other style can.  If you want your kitchen to bring to mind a time and place from long ago, the tips in this article will help.

Distressed cabinets offer rustic appeal

Cabinets made of oak or knotty pine are perfect in the rustic kitchen; left in their natural state and coated with clear coat for protection, these cabinets blend seamlessly with the other wood elements in the kitchen.  Cedar or mahogany will work as well, but you might want to purchase distressed versions or distress them yourself with a little sanding to give them a worn, more antiqued look.

Decorate the counter tops with old-time charm

If you already have a butcher-block counter top, this is one of the best looks for the rustic kitchen.  Since you use it to chop and cut foods, the natural wear lends further to the rustic appeal.  If you don’t have this type of counter top, not to worry; just place a few large wood cutting boards randomly to add to the effect.

An old cracked pitcher filled with wildflowers is the perfect accent for the counter top.  Add a set of copper canisters and a wooden paper towel holder, and the look begins to come together.

Choosing colors for your rustic kitchen

The rustic style of decorating uses the colors found in nature.  Calm shades of orange such as burnt or spiced orange are comforting and warm.  Rusty reds, shades of brown, golden yellow and sage green add color and depth to the room.

Incorporate these colors into the room through scattered area rugs, a table runner for your dining room table, curtains and dish towels.  You may want to consider using wooden or ceramic roosters as colorful accents as well.

Gingham and checkerboard patterns kick it up a notch

The patterns and fabrics you use can give a room an added “punch” of color and boldness.  In the rustic kitchen, gingham and checkerboard patterns are perfect for chair covers and curtains!  Since rustic decor usually evolves around wood, these colors and patterns will help to liven everything up while still keeping the room warm.

While most people choose to keep their pots and pans hidden away in a cabinet, rustic decor is made even more charming when these utensils are put on display.  Hang your pots and pans from a wrought iron rack hung from the ceiling – this is a great focal point for the room!

Sunflower accessories, old tin signs, cast iron cookware and anything “old” works well for decorating your home with rustic flavor.  Put your own creativity to work and create a kitchen that is as comfortable and inviting as it is beautiful!  This will no doubt be the favorite room of your entire family.

Love the idea of decorating your kitchen with a fruit based theme, but don’t want it to look like every other kitchen?  You can incorporate fruit in to your kitchen decor in a way that is completely unique and stunningly beautiful.  Below, you will learn a few tricks that will help you in creating a kitchen that is fresh, colorful and inspiring.

Build your decor around one specific fruit

Most people who decorate their kitchens with a fruit theme use the entire basket – in other words, apples, bananas and grapes are all included in accents and accessories.  To give your kitchen a look that is unique and appealing, stick with a single fruit such as apples or grapes.

Think of the colors you normally see in an apple; golden yellow, deep red and green.  When decorating your kitchen with apples, incorporate those colors in your walls as well.  A mellow yellow wall trimmed out in deep red is stunning; paint your bakers rack, dining room table and chairs as well as other accents with the green, red and yellow tones found in the apples.  You might also want to consider stenciling an apple pattern around the top edge of the ceiling to take your motif even further.  When choosing the colors for your kitchen, also consider the various shades a piece of fruit goes through during the ripening process.

Artwork makes the decor “pop”

When selecting artwork for the walls of your kitchen, you may be able to find framed paintings or prints that contain the colors you are using for the room.  Even if you cannot find something that suits your needs, you can create your own whether you have an artistic flair or not!  Take a good, clear photo of the fruit you have displayed in a bowl or basket on your kitchen table and then have it blown up so that you can hang the “art” on a wall near the table.  The exact image of your table centerpiece hanging on a wall will definitely spark conversation.

Another idea you can use is to search for photos in magazines that are suitable for your decor and use them as artwork.  Frame a single page or create a collage using various photos of your chosen fruit.

Accents

To complete the look, add accents that further incorporate your fruit theme.  Canisters, tea pots and cookie jars that are decorated with various fruit designs can be purchased.  Additionally, you can find dish towels, place mats and napkins to match the style you have chosen.  Consider painting your paper towel and napkin holders a bold red or green to take things even further.

Put these ideas to work in your kitchen, and you will have a room that is packed with cheer and color!  As you can see, you don’t have to go the traditional route when it comes to decorating your kitchen in a fruit theme; a little imagination goes a long way.

Nothing is quite as warm and inviting as a big country kitchen filled with accents and accessories that provide that “down home” appeal.  Today, many families and their guests spend a good deal of time in the kitchen, sharing stories and indulging in goodies as they relax after a long day at work.  In this article, you will find some great tips and ideas for adding the charming look and atmosphere that only a country style kitchen can offer.

Incorporate warm colors

For the country theme, it is essential that you use those colors that create a warm, relaxing environment.  Rust red, country blue, green and yellow are often used in this style of décor to create a colorful yet warm atmosphere.  Consider painting the walls a relaxing shade of country blue, complemented by baseboards and trim work in cream or antique white.

Perk up the walls

While painted walls are fine, you may want to consider bead board paneling, wall paper or even stencils you paint on yourself.  A wallpaper or stenciled boarder around the top of the wall adds further charm and appeal when you use a pattern that includes roosters, teapots, sunflowers or fruit.

Today, you can also create interesting walls yourself using paint and a few techniques that add texture such as stenciling, sponging, and rag-rolling.  Using these techniques allows you to create a look that is original and all your own!  It also adds a personal touch that will make you proud.

Lighting and windows

In a country style kitchen, the lighting you use and the window treatments you select can make all the difference.  Consider light fixtures that are made of wood, wrought iron or tin; curtains designed in gingham checks or plaids or those with stenciled borders give your windows that country fresh appeal.

Accessories complete the look

While most other styles of decorating a kitchen advise you to keep things simple and sleek, country decorating is just the opposite; you want charming accents anywhere and everywhere!  A wrought iron pot rack hanging from the ceiling is the perfect place for those iron skillets.  Cinnamon and apple pie scented candles can be placed on counter tops, a baker’s rack, or any other flat surface.

The kitchen table can be made of any type of wood, as long as the look is a bit worn or distressed.  A large braided rug placed directly under the table adds charm, as does a country-style throw rug for the area in front of your sink.  Wooden or tin country signs, baskets, cookbooks and canisters finish the look and bring everything together.

Not everyone’s idea of country decorating is the same; some like Americana, while other prefer hearts, cows, roosters, gingerbread men or even sunflowers.  To make your home as comfortable as possible, always use those items that are your favorites.  A country home feels lived in; those who visit your home know they are welcome, and that you are in no hurry for them to leave.  Make your home the most inviting on the block by adding the old-fashioned charm of country décor.

Remodeling a kitchen can cost a fortune, but you can make a few easy (and cost-effective) changes yourself that will give your kitchen an entirely new look.  If your kitchen is beginning to look a little drab and needs livening up a bit, this article will give you some inspirational ideas that will help you “do it yourself” – and give you a kitchen you will once again love sitting in while enjoying a cup of hot coffee as the sun rises over the horizon.

Give drab windows an overhaul

If you’ve been using mini blinds or curtains that are out of date, consider hanging a curtain rod and folding fabric napkins or placements over it at a diagonal.  This will add a bold splash of color and a unique design!

Switch out your handles and drawer pulls

Instead of brass or wood knobs that are plain, get a little creative.  You can easily replace your knobs and handles with unique patterns available today such as vegetables, fruit, teapots and abstract styles that add an unusual touch to cabinet doors and drawers.

Get the look of new appliances

Have appliances that work like new, but the colors are outdated?  You can easily change colors by using appliance paint.  Simply remove handles and tape off any areas you don’t want painted with masking tape.  Apply the color of your choice, and enjoy appliances that look new and modern.

Nothing breathes new life like a fresh coat of paint

Just painting your walls in itself can give your kitchen a fresh new look.  Try some of the easy techniques such as sponging, stamping, rag-rolling and feather dusting to create a beautiful, rich texture.  Consider painting baseboards and trim a contrasting color to really make the walls “pop.”

Do-it-yourself floors

If your floors are stained or worn out, it can be expensive to have new ceramic tile or wood floors installed.  Today, there are beautifully patterned self-adhesive vinyl tiles you can easily install yourself, and they are far less costly than having other types of floors installed.  The quality has also improved drastically over the years.

Give your cabinets a new finish

It’s fairly easy to strip the old finish off of your cabinets and replace it with new.  Citrus-based strippers are now available that let you easily remove the old finish with greater safety.  Just layer it on, let it set for a few minutes and then rub off with rags.  Once you remove the old finish, you can create an antiqued, worn look by painting and then sanding the edges, or apply a combination of polyurethane and stain for a fresh new look.

Clear the clutter

Nothing makes a kitchen look as messy as too much clutter.  When you have small appliances, mail, dishes and other things scattered all over your counter tops, the look is nothing but cluttered.  Put small appliances under the counter or in a pantry.  Remove everything except the absolute necessities, and you will see that your kitchen instantly has a more spacious, clean look.

Add a few embellishments

If you really want to spruce up your kitchen, try some of the new do-it-yourself crown molding at the top of your cabinets or even around the ceiling.  Consider placing a chair rail around your entire dining room to dress it up a bit.  These additions will give your kitchen a dressy, elegant appeal.

The ideas mentioned above are all affordable, and most are easy to accomplish yourself.  A complete remodel would cost tens of thousands of dollars if you were to buy new cabinets, new floors, and new counter tops.  By doing these things yourself, you potentially save thousands – and have a brand new kitchen you will absolutely love.