6 Pro-Approved Tips to Refresh Your Kitchen If You Hate How It Looks

If you’re looking to redo your current kitchen space because you no longer like how it looks, don’t panic because there are many easy and budget-friendly ways to add major character and charm to your kitchen without diving into a full-on project.

Below, we asked three interior designers to share their six favorite hacks for making over the kitchen, addressing everywhere from the floors to the windows.

Add Color and Personality Using Plates

Plates serve a utilitarian purpose in the kitchen, but they can also function as decor as well, Emily Janak, the founder of Emily Janak Interiors, says.

“I love adding plate hangers and hanging plates on backsplashes or over ranges,” she says.

Whether you choose to display a collection of matching China or curate an eclectic mix of plates with different patterns is up to you. Plates are easy to source affordably at thrift and antique stores, and plate walls will never go out of style.

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Set a Warm Ambiance

If your kitchen isn’t cozy enough for your liking, you can easily change this issue by bringing in acordless lamp. There are so many great styles of affordable, rechargeable lamps on the market that complement a range of aesthetics.

Place one on your counter or island so that you’re not always relying on harsh overhead lighting.

Paint the Floors

If you have hardwood floors in the kitchen, consider painting them. Janak personally loves doing this to add more personality.

“Kitchens are often a space where you can define the floor from other rooms,” she says.

Keep in mind that if you’re a renter who cannot take a paintbrush to the floors, you can consider peel-and-stick tiles as an alternative.

Whether you crave a checkerboard pattern or another type of design, this is a nice way to add your own spin to the kitchen while knowing that you can easily remove everything damage-free at the end of your lease.

Install Window Treatments

If you think nice curtains are just for the bedroom or living room, think again. Andrea Marino, the founder of Andrea Marino Design, explains how window treatments can instantly elevate any space and are very simple additions.

“Add a buffet curtain for some charm and softness or a Roman shade for a more classic look,” Marino says.

Feel free to have fun with color and pattern and bring on the visual interest with trim as well, Marino suggests.

Try a Custom Range Cover

Marino considers adding a custom range cover to be a transformative addition to any kitchen.

“Rather than focusing on changing something on a large scale, this one item can add so much personality,” she says.

The designer recommends opting for a unique shape or an accent metal finish. There is truly an option for everyone, regardless of whether your style leans more grandmillennial or modern and edgy.

In a client’s kitchen, Marino has even installed a scalloped range hood, which brought instant charm and is one of her favorite designs yet.

Swap Your Hardware

Last but not least, an extremely simple yet impactful kitchen makeover hack is to swap out your cabinet hardware. After all, builder-grade drawer pulls may be too bland and not add any major style to your cooking space.

“You would be surprised to see the difference that amazing hardware can make,” Beth Diana Smith, the founder of Beth Diana Smith Interior Design, says.

Cabinet hardware is easy to purchase online via Amazon, Etsy, and other retailers. If you’re renting, be sure to keep the original drawer pulls somewhere safe so that you can quickly replace them before moving out.

Most often, we see brass, silver, or brass hardware in the kitchen, but you can think outside the box and opt for pulls that are colorful and unexpected to create a bold statement. Consider mixing various shapes and metal finishes to bring more texture into your kitchen space.