Inexpensive Decorating Idea
Kitchen Re-Vamp

Kitchen decorating doesn't have to be an expensive, major re-design.

Here are some great ideas for kitchen re-vamps and updates.

These are fantastic if you don't want the expense and hassle of designing and fitting a whole new kitchen.

You might be bored with your kitchen style?

Don't like the previous owner's tastes? Or want to smarten up a kitchen that has got a bit tatty?

These inexpensive decorating ideas for kitchen re-vamps will be just your thing...

Making Over Kitchen Cabinets

• A great decorating idea for kitchen makeovers is to leave the main units, but fit new doors.

  This can be reasonably cheap, or expensive, depending on the doors you choose.

  It is quite easy to accomplish - just take off the old doors, refit the hinges, and attach the new doors.

  We have done this plenty of times in all the kitchens we have had.

• Refit the old handles, or to make it smarter still buy new ones in a more modern style.
• Unit sides and edges that don't match can be painted with a melamine or cupboard paint, which matches closely, or complements, the new doors.

  We painted our previous units in dark brown, to match chocolate oak cupboard doors.

  Now we have the same doors, and side cabinets all painted in a soft green... Which leads me on to the next money-saving kitchen decorating idea...










• If you don't want the expense of new cupboard doors, paint your old ones (just like we did - above photo).

  Make sure you sand down any previous paint or varnish finish.

  Paint the doors while flat, with a quality gloss paint.

• Melamine cupboards can now be painted with a whole array of different melamine paints. These are actually really good for a cheap and effective decorating idea for kitchens.

  But, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions on the tin carefully.

• If you find the color choices for the melamine/cupboard paint too limiting, why not give free rein to a colorful decorating idea.

  Kitchen cupboards can be painted in melamine primer, and then over painted in an ordinary gloss or eggshell paint of your choice.

• More about our experiences painting our cabinets and tips for how to paint kitchen cabinets, here...

How to Make Over Your Tiles

• Hideous wall tiles can now be painted over too, to get a different look - to make your kitchen look smarter, newer, or just to match with a new color scheme.

  We have done this, too, several times, in our kitchen, and bathroom, in a previous home in particular.

  1. Wash your tiles carefully first, with a simple sugar-soap cleaner.

     This is important - any grease left on will totally ruin the paint finish.

  2. Use a special tile paint, or tile primer with ordinary gloss paint on top.
  3. Use either a small gloss roller, or a quality paintbrush - I have got good results with both.
  4. Two, or more, thin coats will work better than one thick coat - and watch out for runs!
  5. When your paint is dry, if you wish, you can paint on the grout lines with a special grout pen.

     If you have chosen a pale color tile paint you probably won't need to do this.

     But if the new tile color you have chosen is dark it can be nice to have the white 'grout lines' to make your tile makeover look realistic.

  6. You will get a really authentic look, and everyone will think you have gone to the trouble and expense of real tiling.

     (It's up to you, if you want to tell them your secret!)

  7. Consider running a line of clear sealant where the tiles meet the work surface. I highly recommend this.

     This will help to stop the edges flaking or chipping, or any damp creeping under your paint.

Getting a New Look for Kitchen Walls

• Repainting your walls, is always a quick and easy decorating idea for kitchen makeovers - to get a whole new look for your kitchen.
• Choose your color carefully.

  Think about matching your wall color to the units, work top, tiles, splashback and flooring colors, as well as any curtains or blinds you have in your kitchen.

• You will make a big difference in your kitchen if you choose a very different color to what you have had before.

  Or go for something bright and bold - that will surely make an impact.

  Kitchens can quite often get away with bright colors, as they are a stimulating and energetic kind of room, in any case.

  If you have a neutral tile color, and a neutral cabinet color, you can definitely go for something a bit more exotic on your wall.

• Kitchens may often have a limited amount of wall space for painting, in any case, with cabinets and tiling usually taking up a large proportion of the wall space. So try something bold.
• If you aren't sure try one focal wall - and co-ordinate with accessories in a matching color for a smart look.

New Look Countertops

• Try replacing your worksurfaces/countertops to give an instant new 'hit' in your kitchen.

  This isn't so difficult as it might seem and is actually something you can do with just a little DIY competence.

  For more, see our Easy Guide to installing your kitchen countertop

More Ideas for Kitchen Color

• Small kitchens will look best in pale colors. All one color, or a limited palette of colors would work best.
• Larger kitchens can take darker colors on the walls. They look good with a color contrast, or light/dark contrast, between different parts of the design.
• A good decorating idea for kitchen areas, is to mix dark units with a pale work surface, tiles and wall color.

  Pale units would look good against a dark flooring and work surface, with a mid-range wall color.

Smarten Up Appliances

• If your kitchen appliances are looking rather shabby, use one of the new special appliance paints - available in sprays - to smarten up your fridge, freezer or other appliances.

  Choose bright clean white, trendy silver - or spray an all purpose primer, suitable for metal, then choose a color of your choice in a suitable spray.

• Really expensive, trendy appliances now have attractive designs on the front - flowers or birds.

  If you are feeling confident, you could replicate this with a stencil design of your choice.

  Spray the design on with a suitable paint - don't use stencil paint and brushes - you need a sleek, flat finish to keep it looking professional.

• Make sure you are well practiced when spraying any paint - have a few goes on something that doesn't matter first.

  (If you don't know what you are doing, it could end up looking really awful with runs all over the place.)

  Always wear an appropriate face mask when spraying too.

Brighten Up with Accessories

• A quick and easy decorating idea for kitchen re-vamps, is just to concentrate on the accessories.

  Beautiful and bright new accessories can definitely revitalise a plain or tired kitchen.

  It might just be matching tea towels, tablecloth, cushions and napkins. Or, new curtains and seat covers, and new crockery on display.

  Try bringing in lots of healthy fresh plants, to make your kitchen look alive and welcoming.

• Consider a decorating idea for kitchen re-vamps - make a feature out of dressing your table.

  Choose a nice table cloth, add table runners, napkins, a neatly arranged place setting for each person, and a dramatic table centrepiece.

  Your centrepiece can be as simple as a flower arrangement, candelabra, a plant - or a piece of art or craft, created by yourself.



• Try placing one or more candles on a plate, tray or bowl.

  Add some attractive or quirky items - pine cones, pebbles, marbles, autumn leaves, glass beads, ribbons - anything you think looks good.

  Or, keep it simple, and float some flower heads, leaves or floating candles, in a clear glass bowl filled with water.

  Have loads of fun experimenting.

  More table decorating ideas here...

I hope you have fun trying out an inexpensive decorating idea.

Kitchen decorating doesn't have to be costly or long winded.

And, because these ideas don't cost too much or take too long - you can change your mind as often as you like.

Have you chosen a style for your new look yet?

Take a look at an ultra-modern kitchen decorating theme.

Transport yourself to a tranquil Mediterranean landscape, and create a Tuscany style kitchen.

Consider a timeless kitchen, with universal appeal. Take a look at the country kitchen decorating style.

Return to the main kitchen decorating tips page.

Return to the main Inexpensive Decorating page.

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