Should you revamp your family kitchen or buy a new one?
The family kitchen is no longer just a place for cooking delicious meals for the family. It is now the hub of the home, where people get together to socialise, relax and host great parties.
Before you work out whether you need an entirely new kitchen, see if you can revamp your old one first.
Everyone knows that the best way to revive the spirit of your kitchen (and the quality of the food that leaves it) is through the help of an ambitious, well-meaning French rat, raised on eating trash but born to create the purest of culinary treasures. However, because only one such rat exists in a fictional realm of 3D-animation, we are forced to turn to alternative solutions.
These are the five best ways to organise and refresh your kitchen:
#1 Scratch the Surface(s)
Revamp your kitchen surfaces using stick-on faux granite countertops and peel-and-stick backsplash tiles in a fresh new style. Not only does this offer you a chance to have a fun DIY day with the family (or your favourite podcast/show), it also completely changes the look of your kitchen (without changing your bank account balance too much).
#2 Give Your Utensils a Refresh
When it comes to changing up your kitchen, bigger isn’t always better. Making the space more beautiful comes down to the details. In the case of your culinary workshop, the details are in the utensils you use.
If you have a small kitchen then ask yourself, what are some essential small kitchen appliances that I will always use?
The key here is cohesiveness.
So, what appliances have to be included in a kitchen?
Well that’s up to you. I have almost all the appliances in the world in my kitchen, but I have the space for it.
Buy your cooking utensils from the same brand in matching or coordinated colours to give your kitchen a major facelift (all in the details, people!). You’ll also want to fill your drawers with new silverware—try sleek, simple utensils to fit your modern aesthetic, or go for more ornate pieces to match your traditional home design.
#3 Switch up Your Shelving
Like cakes, dresses, and early 2000s tank-tops, the more layers, the better. The same goes for your kitchen storage.
Instead of spending an arm and a leg on brand new kitchen cabinets, simply buy a free-standing ladder shelf to put next to your furniture (or a mini one for your countertop). The added height means you get more storage without losing valuable countertop space, and the tiered design gives your kitchen a chic new vibe.
For a more boho take on shelving, install an adorable macrame fruit hanger below your cabinet for storage that’s as cute as it is functional.
#4 Roll with It
Completely out of space? Pantry fully occupied? Is the kitchen island overbooked? We get it. Sometimes, the storage you have just isn’t enough.
Lucky for you, you can give your kitchen a rustic refresh that’s totally on-trend, all while winning way more storage in the meantime. Wireframe or wooden buffet carts are super cute and extremely useful, not to mention portable. They are available in a ton of styles, colours, and sizes, giving you free rein to revamp your kitchen aesthetic as you see fit.
#5 Go Green
Nothing makes the air feel lighter or the kitchen look better than some lovely (and tasty) greenery. Hang gorgeous, streaming Pothos plants from your cabinet tops, display quaint herbs on your windowsill, and don’t forget to keep a fresh pot of flowers on your kitchen island at all times.
As a delicious bonus, your sweet little herb garden will certainly come in handy the next time you cook up your mama’s classic spaghetti Bolognese (the quote is “beauty is pasta,” right?).
Keep Calm and Cook On
While you can’t always transform your kitchen at the snap of a finger, you can definitely improve its organisation and beauty piece by piece. With just a bit of patience, the help of a brilliantly written article, and some affordable new products, you’ll be well on your way to your culinary oasis! Now to find a sentient rat with a passion for French cuisine…
But what if I want a new kitchen?
Ok, let’s keep moving then.
So, it’s important that you choose a kitchen design that works with your lifestyle, but also with your budget. How much can you afford to spend and how many people will be using the kitchen every day? What are the family kitchen hours and what will provide you with the least amount of stress when cooking?
Choosing the right kitchen design can add some real value to your property so it makes sense to go for quality over quantity. Below are some things that you should consider before buying a family kitchen:
Affordability
Kitchens can be as cheap or as expensive as you want them to be. If you’re overhauling the entire kitchen area, then it’s probably going to be dearer than you think. You would have to factor in the cost of gutting, purchasing and installing a new kitchen, which can all add up. According to Houzz UK, 9% of homeowners spent more than £75,000 on their kitchen renovation.
It may be cheaper to buy an entire kitchen with all the pieces built in, in which case, you could consider buying a used kitchen, where you can purchase a fully working kitchen suite for a fraction of the cost. You’re not skimping on quality because these kitchens were once brand new, and it can be very satisfying to know that you obtained a quality kitchen for such a cheap price. Make sure you do your research and find a reputable company with lots of reviews and recommendations.
“The kitchen industry is growing at 4% per year and 80% of new kitchens in the UK are replacements… it’s funny because people would happily buy a used car but haven’t even considered a used kitchen… Property developers and landlords have always bought second hand or ex-display kitchens – they are savvy buyers… and… more people are becoming aware that this is a good way to buy a kitchen that fits into your budget.” Helen Lord, founder of Used Kitchen Exchange
Space
Space is such an important factor for families because you don’t want to feel boxed in if you have a large family and you don’t want to overcompensate in size when you have a smaller family. You also don’t need a large kitchen to accommodate a large family because a good designer will maximise the space that you do have already to save costs.
However, it’s up to you.
Think about what you want the space to do. Are you a family that hosts many gatherings? If so, then an open plan kitchen may be the right design for you as it makes the space sociable and you can flit back from the kitchen to adjacent rooms with ease. Opt for a dining area in the kitchen for easy hosting and, perhaps, an L-shaped sofa for those who have just popped in for a cuppa.
Our family kitchen has pops of red and black which are my two favourite colours. The décor on the walls also makes my kitchen feel homely and personal, so I enjoy planning a family kitchen menu and having my kids dine on free dinner in our family kitchen restaurant a la mum!
Just remember that when you do have an open plan kitchen, think about the different ‘zones’ which would have different jobs, i.e. the cooking zone, the dining zone and the relaxation zone. A central island is also a great way to prep your food and socialise at the same time. Plus, it’s a great space saver because most kitchen islands come with storage space.
Theme
Theme is also important because it can really make a kitchen pop. You don’t need to rigidly stick to a colour scheme, but it does help to have some uniformity to the décor.
There are tons of kitchen theme ideas and Pinterest is probably your best friend here. But some popular themes to think about are:
Modern/Contemporary
Modern kitchens don’t have clutter, so minimalism works here. Think sleek and glossy with pops of colour and a nice modern dining area with table and chairs. Statement lights also look great hanging over the dining table and installing spotlights to the kitchen ceiling really modernise the look.
Country
Country style family kitchens traditionally contain wood furnishings with a warm and inviting feel. Units are typically white and easy to achieve on a budget. Use a round table instead of a kitchen island and paint your cabinet handles in pine. Country style kitchens also tend to display their crockery in fancy wooden display units. Check out your local Facebook groups, Gumtree or eBay to see if you can find second-hand wooden furniture that you can refurbish to look like new (if needed.)
Rustic
Rustic kitchens tend to be all wood, which gives the kitchen a stripped back look, especially when you opt for brick walls (saves you painting them!) Picnic style tables also work well as dining tables and wooden cabinets with a large stove housed under bricking can really upgrade the rustic look.
Other factors to consider
This is a family kitchen, so you’d want to ensure it’s family-friendly all-round. What will you be doing in your kitchen, apart from cooking (obviously!)? Make sure work surfaces, like glass stainless steel and granite, are easy to clean (wood worktops are not so easy to clean). Large dining tables or kitchen islands are great for big families, as kids can do their homework, eat breakfast quickly before school, grab a quick snack to eat after school or lunch with the family and you catch up with the other half when the kids are asleep.
Think about practical flooring too – you would want to avoid floors that are slippery and non-resistant. Vinyl is great to cushion falls and you can find high-quality vinyl flooring that looks great against the overall theme of your kitchen. There are tons of options to choose from!
Storage is a must, so having lots of drawers and pull out shelves can make your overall kitchen look less cluttered and more child-friendly too. Fitted cupboards and units are great because they can be hidden behind cupboard doors and leave the kitchen with an overall finished look.
Think about using free doors so they don’t slam shut by the kids. It’ll also save your eardrums. When family planning your kitchen, think about kitchen ideas that come in a package. Ikea kitchen ideas then to be all in one so head to Ikea and grab some inspiration from the home of interior design.
Finding the right kitchen design ideas for you need not be a tedious process. Think about what you need your kitchen to do for you and once you have an idea, consider sourcing your kitchen from reputable second-hand companies so you are saving on cost. You can use the money saved to do up the other areas of your house or spend it on the family!
*Collaborate feature post*