Most people assume I have a stunning, state-of-the-art kitchen but sadly, they\u2019re disappointed when I tell them what really lurks at home. My cabinetry is the original units that were in my house when we bought it and is homage to a long-defunct kitchen brand. However, as it was only a few years old when we moved in, I chose to update it rather than rip it out. Surely I could do something to tone down the lemon yellow units and matching knobs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once I got started, I discovered that it was easy to achieve quick and effective kitchen makeovers cheaply. Try one or try them all, you\u2019ll be surprised at just how much of a difference you can make, whether you fancy a new look or some parts are just starting to look tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Kitchen Makeovers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grab a paintbrush<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Image Source: Ecos Organic Paints<\/a>
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Slicking on a coat of paint is something you\u2019re probably happy to do in your lounge but it\u2019s often overlooked in a kitchen because it\u2019s a little trickier to work around the cupboards. Invest in some kitchen and bathroom paint (which now comes in far more exciting shades than magnolia, white and cream) and protect the edges of your kitchen cabinets with masking tape. Try creating a feature wall of colour in an alcove or use blackboard paint to make it functional as well as stylish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MORE THAN 1600 5\u272d RATED KITCHEN SPECIALISTS READY TO HELP WITH YOUR KITCHEN MAKEOVER.
POST A JOB HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special tile paint also makes giving your splashback <\/a>a new look easy \u2013 the latest formulations are so good that if you\u2019re a messy painter, like me, they\u2019ll dry smooth and glossy. I painted the tiles behind my hob a year ago for a quick kitchen makeover and it still looks flawless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even paint your kitchen doors themselves. Solid timber is the best base for this but you can also paint other materials by using the right type of primer and basecoat. Given that you can even paint over laminate doors, there\u2019s no excuse for not trying a fresh new shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image Source: Ronseal<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swap your handles<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve often wondered why my kitchen knobs were the same colour as the cabinetry but they didn\u2019t stay that way for long. They were simple to unscrew and replace with some inexpensive wooden ones \u2013 so changing the look of my doors this way cost me around \u00a325 in total. Try swapping your handles for glamorous glass, burnished metal or gleaming chrome <\/a>\u2013 but a word of warning \u2013 you\u2019ll need to swap like for like (e.g. 30cm wide handles for ones that measure the same) unless you\u2019re handy with filler for the holes left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work on your worktops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Image Source: Granite Transformations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tired worktops can let your design down. If the idea of replacing whole lengths of worktop seems daunting, composite overlays could be the answer, simply fitting over your existing surfaces. Often more cost-effective than replacing with granite<\/a>, your fitter will take a template of the worktops, before coming back to install the overlay surfaces, which takes around a day. Given that a recent study by Need A Property found that almost a third of people would offer over the asking price for a house if it had granite work surfaces, this is one fix that could end up paying for itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get back to the floor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Image Source: Karndean Designflooring<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the fifth wall of any room, your floor deserves some attention, but replacing the whole thing can be a chore. Swap it for DIY easy-fit laminate planks and LVT (that\u2019s luxury vinyl tiles to you and me) and choose a striking design. Wood, stone and other faux finishes are more convincing than ever so let your imagination run wild. Some ranges, such as Karndean\u2019s Looselay, can be laid straight on top of your existing floor with a minimum amount of fuss. Just make sure your floor is level and smooth and get advice on installation from your retailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need some help with your kitchen makeover? Post a job on Rated People in our kitchen specialist category<\/a> to receive quotes from our qualified and trusted tradesmen.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Most people assume I have a stunning, state-of-the-art kitchen but sadly, they\u2019re disappointed when I tell them what really lurks at home. My cabinetry is the original units that were in my house when we bought it and is homage to a long-defunct kitchen brand. However, as it was only a few years old when …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":19761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_sgb_lightbox_settings":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3049,3212,3042],"tags":[534],"class_list":["post-19748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","category-kitchens","category-painting-and-decorating","tag-kitchen"],"acf":false,"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/rp-prod-wordpress-b-content.s3.amazonaws.com\/assets\/2014\/05\/05125754\/1-Ecos-36041.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Rachel Ogden","author_link":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/author\/rachel-ogden"},"yoast_head":"\n