Indulge in Style: Luxurious Kitchen Enhancements
If you feel like your kitchen is outdated and in need of a makeover, you may think you need to tear everything down and start again. However, here are a few ways to make your kitchen feel more luxurious with only a few changes.
While it's easy to splurge cash on expensive range cookers to update your space, sometimes you need to work with what you have. Little changes can still have an immediate impact in the overall look and feel (as well as the usability) of the space.
Clear the Clutter
Firstly, do away with clutter. More often than not, clutter takes away from any luxurious potential a kitchen may have, and clearing it is a quick and easy way to get that feel back. It is also one of the easiest and cheapest ways to do so, as all it requires is an hour or two of your time.
Start with packing away appliances and similar items that you don’t use often, and keep the more aesthetically-pleasing ones, such as coffee machines or mixers, out on display. Make your higher-end items and accessories part of the decor.
Repaint
Paint can often transform the way a room looks and feels, and the kitchen is no different. Strip away old paint and choose a timeless and stylish color for your walls and cabinets to give the space a more sophisticated look.
You can go with the clean feel of white, or experiment with something a bit darker such as shades of brown or green.
Use What You Have
Before you go out and spend money, look at what you already have and see how it all can be used in your new kitchen look. You may find that you already own things that work well, but you’ve just been using them wrong.
When it comes to any furniture you may have in your kitchen, such as seating, an island, or a table, repainting it or upgrading the finishes can make a huge difference. Another way of giving furniture an instant luxurious lift is to recover with trendy fabrics for a more cohesive look.
Take a step back and assess the situation. Will this solve the problem or is it really time for new furniture?
Change Your Fixtures & Hardware
Speaking of fixtures and hardware, any interior designer will tell you that updating them will make a far bigger difference than you may think. Your cabinet handles, light switch covers, and even curtain rails can all be updated to a more chic and stylish look.
You can also give your kitchen a completely different look depending on the fixtures and hardware you choose; vintage brass ones can give you an old-money look, while sleek, simple ones can give you a minimalist look.
Upgrade Your Countertops
If you are able to, replacing your countertops is another way to add a ton of luxury to your kitchen. Marble, for example, is well-known to be a staple in ultra-sophisticated kitchens, and depending on the size of your counters, you can incorporate marble without breaking the bank.
If pure marble countertops are too expensive, you can also opt for marble paneling that can be easily applied to countertops, much like wallpaper.
Add Timeless Finishes
One thing that luxurious kitchens all have in common is that they can stand the test of time, and they do this by having timeless finishes and additions. While this will require a bit of research and shopping around, it can be easier than it seems.
Do some research and take inspiration from other kitchens and see what will and won’t work in your space, and what does and doesn’t appeal to you. While there is no right or wrong way to do this, as it will depend on your taste, the goal should be to find a timeless look.
Increase the Size
Before you think you need to bash down a few walls to increase the size of your kitchen, there are several ways to make the space appear bigger. Firstly, get some more natural light into your kitchen by clearing up your windows and adding some simple blinds or curtains.
You can also trick the eye into thinking the space is bigger by using chequered tiles; laying the tiles or flooring diagonally will draw the eye to the corners of the room instead of the edges, creating the illusion of more space.
Don’t Forget About the Windows
Speaking of windows, don’t forget to give them the luxurious touch they deserve. The best way to do this is to do away with curtains, and swap them out for blinds. They provide a more sophisticated and sleek look to a kitchen, and are easier to and maintain.
There are several types of blinds and shades to choose from, but some of the best are Roman shades, cellular shades, woven wooden shades, and also the tried and tested, simple blind.
Art
Finally, art adds a level of luxury to any space, and it can do the same for your kitchen. Many people tend to forget the fact that art can work anywhere, and when the right pieces are chosen, they can be a fun and chic addition to your kitchen.
Pick simple, beautiful pieces that suit your taste and the vibe you are going for. As for size, place smaller art pieces of small walls, and big pieces on bigger walls. Proportion is important when it comes to art, and a small piece on a big wall can feel out of place, while a large piece on a small wall can make the space feel smaller.
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and the luxury interior design blog All The Pretty Homes in 2024. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
