| Kitchens: they're not just for cooking anymore. | | | | your pots and pans, hanging them on the wall. Or |
| Today's contemporary kitchens often work | | | | use decorative bottles of oil, vinegar, and spices |
| overtime as family rooms, gathering places, and | | | | as accent pieces. |
| even places to entertain! No longer is the person | | | | 4. Paint, A Designer's Best Friend |
| cooking the only person seeing the kitchen, so | | | | I've said it before - paint can be your best friend |
| design and style has become increasingly | | | | when freshening up the look of any room. And |
| important. Does your kitchen stand up to the | | | | painted finishes are hot right now, so don't be |
| test? | | | | afraid to go there. Unless you have high quality |
| Check out these tips for updating your kitchen | | | | wood cabinets, you might consider rejuvenating |
| and making it stylish for any function. | | | | your cabinets with a layer of paint. |
| 1. Lighten Up | | | | And don't forget about the walls. If you're keeping |
| The fluorescent lighting that once was common in | | | | your wood cabinets wood, a fresh new color on |
| kitchens now seems too cold and industrial for the | | | | the walls will make the wood appear deeper and |
| family gatherings that often take place there. | | | | richer, adding elegance to the room. |
| Remember, the kitchen is part of your home, so | | | | 5. Soften Up |
| try to keep the lighting warm and inviting. Get rid | | | | It used to be that the only "soft" thing you could |
| of harsh lighting and replace it with softer, | | | | find in a kitchen was a towel. Window coverings, |
| warmer lights that will give a cozy glow to the | | | | tables, and chairs, were all traditionally hard |
| room. | | | | materials because they were easiest to clean. But |
| You can also work with natural light, as it's one of | | | | with so many fabrics washer-friendly now, you |
| your best natural resources. To maximize this, | | | | don't have to be afraid of using fabrics to add |
| you might try sheer window treatments that | | | | charm to your kitchen. |
| allow for light diffusion when you want it (but | | | | Add cushions on chairs or stools in accenting |
| adjustable for privacy and light reducing when you | | | | colors, and tablecloths or placemats for your |
| need it, too). | | | | tables and other flat surfaces. Your windows are |
| 2. Look to the Islands! | | | | another great place to add "softness". Use shades |
| Islands add style to any kitchen, and they're not | | | | or drapery style fabrics to cover the windows in |
| as difficult of an addition as you might think! Of | | | | a way that adds softness to the room. Keep |
| course, your easiest option is to purchase a | | | | your new window treatments looking fresh by |
| ready-made island that fits in with your kitchen's | | | | dusting and vacuuming regularly. |
| dimensions. Keep in mind you'll need clearance all | | | | 6. Kitchen Windows, not Drive-Thru Windows |
| the way around (usually a minimum of 30") so | | | | They're your kitchen windows, not drive-thru |
| you have room for movement and it won't feel | | | | windows, so they should reflect the style of your |
| crowded. However, you can also create your own | | | | home. Many times people don't pay attention to |
| island by pairing stock cabinets back to back. | | | | the windows of a kitchen, but because that |
| Think you can't add an island because you can't | | | | natural light is so important, and because windows |
| find an exact match for your cabinets? Think | | | | can be beautiful accents to a room, it's important |
| again! A contrasting color or tone adds interest to | | | | to keep these updated, as well. |
| the room. You might even consider painting the | | | | Get rid of broken metal mini-blinds or old-looking |
| lower part of the island a contrasting color to add | | | | valances. Replace them with sleek-looking options |
| some highlights. | | | | like wood blinds or stylish shutters that will allow |
| 3. Personalize and Accessorize | | | | you to control the lighting, but will add a warm, |
| Your kitchen is a great place to display your | | | | rich dimension to the room. |
| unique collections! Get plate holders for those | | | | 7. You Can Handle It |
| decorative plates you've collected over the years, | | | | Cabinet handles: so simple yet potentially so |
| and hang your plates up as a border near the | | | | dramatic. Simply unscrew the existing hardware |
| ceiling, or as a focal piece on the wall. And for all | | | | and take it in with you to a hardware store to |
| you cooks who have gathered cookbooks over | | | | find a replacement that will fit the same openings. |
| the years: don't hide them away! Arrange them | | | | It's that easy - it can change the entire look of |
| prominently as a colorful flair, showing the world | | | | your kitchen. Use backing plates to hide any |
| exactly what you love. | | | | previous holes or to disguise worn areas on the |
| Don't have a collection? Make the everyday | | | | cabinets as well. |
| interesting by creating a decorative display with | | | | |