Bring family and friends together in a fresh spring kitchen
Take advantage of the season’s new beginnings to rethink all that excess clutter and spruce things up. The kitchen is the perfect room to start, and it doesn’t have to involve a complete re-model.
In fact, there are many quick fixes that can give your kitchen an impressive and refreshing facelift. Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore Colour and Design Expert, shares some tips on bringing new life to your kitchen without an expensive renovation.
Cabinet craze. Changing the look of the cabinets will have the biggest impact on your kitchen’s overall look and feel. Grech suggests repainting existing cabinets and swapping hardware. “These are relatively affordable fixes that can make a world of difference. I recommend using a splatter resistant and washable paint in the kitchen. One of my favourites is Benjamin Moore ADVANCE® – it is ideal for cabinetry and trim and offers the application and performance of traditional oil paint in a waterborne formula, making it easy to clean all those household messes.”
Look on the bright side. Lighting has a huge impact on the look and feel of a space, helping to open things up while aiding functionality. Fortunately, you don’t need huge floor-to-ceiling windows or skylights to achieve a fresh and airy look. “A classic white kitchen can work wonders to create that airy feel we all crave,” says Grech. “Try cabinets painted with a neutral white like Wish AF-680, combined with a rich wall colour like my current favourite Wet Concrete 2114-40, which has just the right amount of a purple undertone to add some drama with a good amount of grey to keep it feeling sophisticated. This combination pairs beautifully for both modern and traditional styled kitchens.
Add a pop of colour. One of the simplest ways to update your kitchen is to add high-contrast colour with fun accents and accessories. “Dare to be bold with a uniquely coloured or patterned backsplash,” says Grech.
If that seems too much of an investment, then accent with colour in cozy carpets; patterned fabric accents; fresh flowers or fruit; or colourful appliances such as mixers, blenders and toasters.
“The kitchen really is the heart of the home,” says Grech. “These days, it’s so much more than just a space where we cook – it’s a space where we gather to entertain friends and family which is why having a kitchen that you love is essential.”