Not ready for a full remodel? Try these kitchen upgrades first

When it comes to updating your kitchen, not everyone has the budget (or the time or patience) for a full remodel. However, there are ways to upgrade your kitchen without going through a full gut and construction project. Ways to not only make your kitchen look better, but ways to make it more functional, too.

First, is to update a kitchen that looks dated. Different things like cabinet style, color, countertops, or backsplash can all age a kitchen. If the look of the cabinets is the main problem but they’re in good shape structurally, then you have the option to refinish them. If they are solid wood, you might have the option to re-stain them; however, that is typically a labor-intensive (and expensive) process. The best bang for your buck would be to paint them. Painting your cabinets gives you near endless options of colors to choose from and can completely transform the look of your space.

When replacing your countertops, it’s a great time to also replace your sink and sink faucet. If you’re going from laminate to stone tops, we recommend switching to an undermount sink. You’ll eliminate the dreaded lip around your sink that sits on the countertop and is so difficult to keep clean. There are lots of undermount sink options out there, too. Ones with split bowls, one large bowl, partial divides, and ones that come with accessories like strainers and cutting boards. Depending on how much prepping and cooking you do, you can choose the right sink to fit your specific needs. Sink faucets also come in a variety of styles and finishes. Some even have the option of a touch feature for when you’re working with raw meat or other messes and don’t want to spread the germs.

Some other minor changes that you could take on yourself without having to make changes to your cabinets or countertops would be to update your backsplash tile, change out cabinet hardware, and of course, paint the walls. Changing out backsplash tile is best left to a professional, unless you are a DIY-er who has some experience working with tile, of course. But changing out hardware or painting is something almost any homeowner can do on their own. When changing out hardware, you can even look at options like slow-close hinges to give your kitchen a high-end feel with minimal cost.

Another functionality upgrade I recommend is to update lighting. One of the most important things in a kitchen is good lighting, because no one wants to be cooking or entertaining in the dark. Having an electrician add recessed lighting to replace an old fluorescent light or adding pendant lighting over an island or peninsula can make a big difference. In addition to good overhead lighting, it’s also important to have good task lighting. That could include a light over your sink or adding in undercabinet lighting. Undercabinet lighting comes in lots of options from hardwired to plug-in to battery-powered, depending on your budget. These are a great feature to add much needed light in your workspaces.

If you’re not quite ready for a full-blown remodel, making any of these updates to your kitchen will help bring it into the current times and make it more functional for everyday use. To learn more about kitchen remodeling at Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling, view our portfolio.

This article originally appeared in the May 2022 Lakeside on Lanier.

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