Upgrading a dull, dreary kitchen will make your home more inviting, appealing, and even valuable. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value analysis, even a minor kitchen remodel is one of the best home improvement investments you can undertake. But perhaps more importantly, it can turn your kitchen into your home’s true “family room.”
Creating a bright space doesn’t only mean increasing the number of light bulbs. Instead, consider these six ways to make a lackluster kitchen shine:
1. Stainless Steel Appliances
1. Stainless Steel AppliancesStainless steel is durable, sleek, and handsome. Often associated with modern design, stainless steel is actually quite versatile, even working well in classic kitchens that are dominated by deep earth tones and traditional wood finishes. Stainless steel reflects light, which immediately provides a mirrored effect, giving the appearance of a brighter room — without any change in the actual lighting.
2. Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are available in hundreds of shades and patterns, but it’s not always the color of granite that brightens a dull kitchen. Instead, it’s all about luster with this material! Choosing a shade that bounces and reflects light throughout the room is your key to adding brilliance to the space.
3. A Unique Backsplash
3. A Unique BacksplashThe section of the wall above the counter and below the cabinets is a kitchen’s ultimate accent piece. Whether you choose mirror, glass, copper, ceramic, or stone, a kitchen’s backsplash can create the illusion of space, reflect light, and accentuate your other light-drawing elements in the room.
4. New Flooring
Consider taking a bottom-up approach to brightening your kitchen. Over time, scratches, stains, and general ‘wear and tear’ can make your floors look dirty and dingy. Laying down new flooring – from traditional materials like tile and hardwood to more contemporary materials like bamboo, cork and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) – can provide the visual appeal and sheen needed to breathe new life into a dark kitchen.
5. Refreshed Cabinets
New cabinetry can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen. From a total overhaul to an affordable facelift, updated cabinetry can come in many forms:
- Freshen old cabinets with a bright, light coat of durable paint
- Replace traditional cabinet doors with glass and line cabinets with mirror to create the illusion of a bigger space and to reflect light
- Upgrade cabinet hardware, – think hinges and knobs – to add a healthy dose of shine to the room
- Go all in and invest in custom cabinetry designed to maximize space and draw the eye
6. Statement Lighting
6. Statement LightingIt goes without saying that more light sources will create a brighter kitchen. But the style of those lights is what takes a kitchen from basic to beautiful. Many homeowners choose to highlight other bright areas of the kitchen like the backsplash or countertop with accent lighting. Statement pendant lights are also a great way to help your kitchen’s aesthetic shine.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your kitchen, schedule a consultation with Brothers kitchen remodeling experts. Our teams can handle anything from small projects to full kitchen remodels. And our professional designers can help you take your ideas and turn them into reality.
