Feeling the need for a little boost? Everyone is. Now’s the time of year when we could all use some uplifting energy—a refresh!—and the kitchen, believe it or not, is the perfect place to start. Spending a weekend (or less) revamping the most-used, least-loved room in the house is worth it in so many ways: You’ll be able to put a personal stamp on a space that often feels the least “you,” and the results will encourage you to cook, eat, and entertain at home more often. Here are a few achievable ideas for kitchen upgrades you can take on today.
Hang art in a big way
For some reason, people often shy away from adding artwork to kitchens and bathrooms, even when they hang it elsewhere in their homes. Don’t fall into this pattern—just do it, and do it in a big way! It can be retro-style foodie art, posters from avant-garde art galleries, or blown-up vintage family photos: Whatever makes you happy is going to make your kitchen happy. The key is adding artwork at a scale that packs a punch. This means generously sized single pieces or multiples arranged gallery style—what you don’t want is one tiny picture looking lonely on the wall.
See more of this UK kitchen (so many great ideas!) on Apartment Therapy.
Go nuts with removable wallpaper
Wallpaper can completely transform the look of a kitchen, even in relatively small doses—it’s a powerful design tool that adds unifying energy and much-needed color and texture to what is often a pretty utilitarian space. Think about it: Appliances and cabinets are usually big expanses of solid, neutral color, so offsetting them with a bold pattern naturally looks fantastic. The current crop of temporary wallpapers are simple to install, easy to wipe clean (even close to cooking areas), and removable when you’re ready to move out (a key qualification for renters). If you don’t want to commit to papering the whole room, consider covering only the backsplash area, the space above the cabinets, a single wall, or even the ceiling.
Check out the before-and-after photos from this rental kitchen makeover.
Make a statement with your stuff
The kitchen is such a fun room to make over because there are so many opportunities to add accessories that are both personal and practical. Why use a plain old tea towel when you could hang one that shows off your love of cheeky typography or geometric motifs? As for salt and pepper shakers, vintage may be your thing, or perhaps a simple, Scandi-inspired set. Be it storage canisters, serving trays, mugs, or table linens, file away the boring basics and bring in pieces that will make you happy to spend time cooking, sipping, and snacking in your space.
Check out this eclectic South African kitchen (and the rest of the home too).
Consider a big rug
I get it: Kitchens can be messy places. However, kitchen floors, especially in rentals, often have bland, worn, or outdated tiles. So, why not cover (most of) it up with a bright rug? Even small kitchens can accommodate a narrow runner or a series of smaller rugs. The trick here is not to aim for a traditional, “kitchen-y” look—think of this as an opportunity to add real color and interest to your space. And if you’re really concerned about clean-up, look into indoor-outdoor styles, which are especially durable and designed to be hosed down as needed.
Love those mint green cabinets? See more of this kitchen’s before-and-after makeover photos.
Tap into the power of plants
Is there any room in the home that doesn’t get a lift from the presence of living, green things? Plants work everywhere, and in the kitchen they can be useful as well as decorative: A windowsill herb garden is the best! Aim for a mix of plants of varying sizes, from small succulents to big leafy tropicals (just be sure to select species that suit the level of light in your space—and the level of attention you’re willing to give them). The plants are only half the story, though; the vessels you display them in can also help coordinate your overall kitchen design. If you do nothing else from this list, get started by treating yourself to a new plant and a pretty container to hold it. Your kitchen counter will thank you!
See more of this plant-filled kitchen and the rest of this compact Oakland studio.
Now that you’re ready to make your kitchen shiny and new, do you want to win an Etsy kitchen makeover? (Of course you do.) Share a photo of your favorite mug on Instagram with the hashtag #DifferenceMakesUs, and you could be one of three winners to receive a $500 Etsy gift card toward the kitchen items of your dreams. Ends February 10, 2017. Terms and conditions apply.
61 comments
DeUno from DeUno said 4 years ago
Great tips! Thank you for sharing!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 4 years ago
Awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing. I need to add some plants. :-)
Niki from JandEdoodles said 4 years ago
Love that rug! And making a mental note to go grab some more plants now.... Thanks for the tips!
Olga from LinenAndTailor said 4 years ago
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 4 years ago
I love the wallpaper idea. I will choose a floral wallpaper to renovate my kitchen. Thanks for sharing these great tips!
Colleen O'Neal from truthbeautyandlove27 said 4 years ago
Great tips! I think I could apply some of these to my kitchen!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 4 years ago
gorgeous kitchen decor ideas!! all are super cozy and welcoming! love the plants, love the pop of wallpaper!! tfs!!!
Liana Grace from TheFrenchSeventyFive said 4 years ago
Just lovely! Dreaming of a kitchen full of rugs, plants, and open shelving! <3
Suzi from ThePillowStudioShop said 4 years ago
Great tips. We recently added a huge watercolor map (from an Etsy shop, of course) to our kitchen. I love how it adds color, interest, softness and a bit of fun! (In case you want to take a peek-- https://www.etsy.com/listing/252719579)
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 4 years ago
Awesome tips! I will use 1-2 ideas as I am in process to give my kitchen a refreshed look.
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 4 years ago
Thanks for such great ideas! I have always been a fan of having artwork in the kitchen I love this hutch that's in the kitchen on the first picture. I have been saying that I'm going to do some type of artwork for my bathroom.
Chantelle from DaydreamingBoutique said 4 years ago
Great Tips!! Thank you for all the fabulous ideas!
William Humm from TraditionPhoto said 4 years ago
My wife loves your great idea. She would add some scented herbs in her kitchen. Thanks for sharing.
Jayden Emir from PocoVintage said 4 years ago
Lovely rug! A bright rug always makes the room look alive!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 4 years ago
Great ideas, very inspiring! Thanks for sharing:)
Mary from HollybrookLane said 4 years ago
Love it! These people have a good eye! Quick and easy ideas! Hope I can pull it off!!!!
Christina from TheWildPlum said 4 years ago
Super bright and cheery. Just what the happiness doctor ordered. Thanks!!!
elm the person from elmtheperson said 4 years ago
I kinda want removable wallpaper now.
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 4 years ago
Great ! I've been looking into the removable wallpaper lately. Lots of pretty ideas ~*~
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 4 years ago
I love the idea of big rug and big art. Some extra sunlight would be great!
Anita229 from KnotsnKneedles said 4 years ago
I love the look of indoor plants. I just can't seem to keep them alive for long!
Irina Shapoval from LadyLunarCat said 4 years ago
Wonderful things for the kitchen. Immediately appears cooking mood.
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 4 years ago
I love these ideas. I do the big colorful rug thing for sure :) I need to add some greenery and (larger) art pieces! :)
Monika Krupnik from MonisCoconutScrubs said 4 years ago
I love this! Definitely trying temporary wallpapers now.
Renee from RandMhandmade said 4 years ago
So many great ideas!!
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 4 years ago
I love these ideas, especially for the kitchen, which I think is the most important room in the house. I've made improvements, but would like to do more to make it pop with energy and warmth. These ideas are realistic because they are not over the top, and are affordable ideas that can be done in no time! Thank you for the great suggestions!!
Ann Hensley from RiceSensations said 4 years ago
Great ideas! Love this site!
CoCo from CoCoWagnerJewelry said 4 years ago
Thank you for all the fabulous ideas! :)
Laura from PetalAlley said 4 years ago
Yes, I do Love those mint green cabinets!
Ivan Ustyakin from Casacova said 4 years ago
Hi, folks! This post led me guess again: was I right when decided to make only animal pillows? I used to make pizza pillows, fruit pillows etc which were perfect for kitchen decor. What do you think?
Nupur Goyal from iDukaan said 4 years ago
Beautiful outstanding ideas :-)
Michele Zelonis from chelkay said 4 years ago
Enjoy adding ' greenery ' and other colorful decor items to the kitchen!
Yuri Pysar from Pysar said 4 years ago
great ideas! thank you for sharing!
Lertpan Pathamavuthikan from orientaltribe11 said 4 years ago
Great ideas ? Thank you for tips. ?
Sukran Kirtis from SukranKirtisJewelry said 4 years ago
I love the each idea but especially the vintage look of apartment therapy..Gave me very warm feelings...
Verónica from TheCuratorsPrints said 4 years ago
Awesome tips! Fabulous ideas!!! :)
R. Anne from LnRworks said 4 years ago
These are great ideas! My kitchen could use some re-decorating ^_^
emaxtees from EmaxTees said 4 years ago
Nice one :) Keep walking
reinaliz from CuriousGigi said 3 years ago
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Alethia from FortnersFinds said 3 years ago
...all easily implemented tips..we love it and happy to share it !
AttickAttack from RetroEssence said 3 years ago
I noticed, that the first thing I check in the morning is Etsy Finds! What a great site! Thanks for the very inspiring ideas: I love them all.
Irina from MyVitraz said 3 years ago
Great ideas!
Mary Foster from MaryFosterCreative said 3 years ago
Cute kitchens. Thanks for the inspiration!
Lisa Perez said 3 years ago
I have to ask! Where is the light (in the very first photo, at the very beginning of the post) with the multiple bulbs hanging from the rod, do you know where it's from? Beautiful!
Diane Clermont from Semajun said 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing! Just love the wood accents and plants in a neutral space, adds warmth!
Ivana CSAR O.A.M. said 3 years ago
Thank you Emily Henson !!!
Jessica Cunningham from PortmanteauPaperCo said 3 years ago
Awesome tips! I recently added a runner rug to my kitchen and I love it! I can never have too many plants either.
Blaine Davidson from Ogenkideska said 3 years ago
i love all of these ideas. i also didn't know there is removable wallpaper. hmmm. xxb!
Celia Vencil from LiliasLuxuryCostumes said 3 years ago
The gift card offer has expired.
Sunmerinoss from SUNMERINOSS said 3 years ago
Just lovely!!!! Perfect !!!!👍
Nicole from CoutureNicole said 3 years ago
What fun ideas-thanks!
hpcmm8671 from hpcmm8671 said 3 years ago
Love you ideas definitely use some of them thanks again
Muryel Tomme from MaisonMT said 3 years ago
Great tips ! Thanks
AMSkrafts from AMSkrafts said 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing your tips, we will try some out to brighten up the home! We definitely need to add more plants, they clean the air and look lively.
Elizabeth and Jeffrey McGee from AdliteCreations said 3 years ago
Things you can hang on your walls are great decor enhancements. They don't take up any space and they can be an awesome focal point. Our motto is decorate with what you love. It's always worked for us :-) Blessings, Elizabeth
Petr from PetrArtStore said 2 years ago
cacti look good
Kostiantyn Kharchenko from FLYplanner said 1 year ago
Wonderful style. Nice ideas to create the dream kitchen.
Tommie Moyers from WreathsonDogwood said 296 days ago
I love the different tips you shared on giving your kitchen a change in personality. I want to make some updates to our kitchen. We have an alley kitchen so I don't have a lot of counter space but, you shared some awesome ideas that were not expensive or hugely time consuming. Thanks!
Karen from FrontDoorFloral said 296 days ago
I love the clean lines in your cover photo. I so want to have white cabinets!
Stacie Marie from StayandMarie said 283 days ago
These are some really cool ideas. I only wish that I could do some of these in my own kitchen (we have an open concept). I am able to incorporate more plants so, we'll start with that! Love it!
Anjela from Dream20aDolls said 88 days ago
This bright carpet on the kitchen floor looks amazing. kept this idea for my design)