There’s a little chef in all of us ―so you deserve a kitchen fit for a culinarian 

If you love eating, you probably also fancy cooking and experimenting with food and new cuisines. Although this might not be the case, home cooks might feel the need to work in an improved kitchen with a lot of space and better utensils to create delicious meals. 

However, we know that having a new kitchen or transforming the old one can be quite pricey, especially if you want high-end supplies and finishes. You can lower the costs by not consulting a specialist, but you must handle all design and financial decisions. 

Still, with a bit of time on your hands and some creativity, you, too, can have the kitchen of your dreams. Here are our tips on making everything look professional while on a budget. 

Bold colours look great on low-priced units 

If you don’t want to change your kitchen units but still wish for a significant change, you can quickly go with painting them in a bold tone. Luckily, paint doesn’t cost you a leg, so you can choose some great colours for the kitchen to look expensive, such as the following:

• Evergreen is one of the classiest green tones and can effortlessly be paired with any design taste;
• Newburyport Blue goes exceptionally well with all-white hues, so it’s easy to give off a rich impression;
• English Red is the perfect colour for those who like pink because it makes the room one of the cosiest;

Therefore, even if you have cheap kitchen units, choosing a colour assortment based on bold colours can make your kitchen appear fancy and expensive with low effort. Remember that subtones are also important, so allocate enough time to discover the ideal hues for the room to look rich. 

Storage is everything ―so maximise it 

Most of us have medium to small-sized kitchens, meaning there’s barely any space to eat or move. Hence, we tend to minimise storage by owning fewer appliances or non-perishable foods, so we’re less excited about cooking. However, there are ways to maximise the space in the room with some tricks.

For instance, you can install open shelves on empty walls so you won’t take the area away from the counters or units. Walls are also great for knife storage, where you can place a wall-mounted magnetic strip. 

Still, you might live in a rented space, so you should be looking for landlord-friendly 

solutions. For example, you can divide cabinet space through dividers that will organise your belongings better, leaving more space for use. Pegboards are also easy to install and take out, so get one for multi-purpose storage because it can be used for hanging your cookware and utensils. 

Lighting makes all the difference 

The central light source in the kitchen may seem efficient, but you’ll want an upgrade for cooking during the night or winter days due to the lack of sun rays. That’s why you should invest in lighting layering solutions that will create a comfortable atmosphere and bring more brightness to the areas that matter. 

For example, install under cabinet lighting under LED forms that will light only the area you use for cooking, helping you move faster without straining the eye. These systems are invisible when installed, so they won’t interfere with the kitchen’s design. 

Pendant light is also an excellent option for creating depth within the kitchen, and they’re best for kitchen islands. Overall, work lighting is more efficient and cost-effective than regular ceiling lighting, so switch to productive solutions. 

Tiles are good-looking and valuable 

Tiles might be underrated because most of us grew up in kitchens with white and outdated models. However, modern tiles come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be the centrepiece of your kitchen, even if they’re part of the splashback. 

With tiles, you can protect the kitchen walls from water and food stains, making it easier to clean the area and disinfect it, which is essential in any professional kitchen. On the other hand, tiles offer a special and unique vibe to the kitchen that can be both modern and traditional, depending on your preferences. 

Choosing between natural stone tiles and artificial ones can be overwhelming, but each option has pros and cons. For instance, marble is beautiful but expensive, while ceramic tiles might not provide much durability over time. But you can unleash your creativity when it comes to shapes, layout and colour. 

High-tech appliances will last you longer 

While the layout and vibe of the kitchen are important, the tools you use for cooking are essential to becoming close to a chef. That’s why making small sacrifices to purchase high-quality appliances will ensure your success as a home cook. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean you must become obsessed with expensive devices but just look for better-quality products that will last you longer. Other factors you should consider before buying a pricey appliance are how easily you can clean it and what its functions are. Sometimes, buying something that can be used for multiple purposes is best, especially if you want to save space and time cooking. 

For instance, an immersion blender that comes with a stand mixer and even a food processor will make cooking faster since you have more functionalities included, such as chopping or grating. A set of knives is also crucial, especially if it’s qualitative because it makes cutting effortless and minimises the possibility of getting injured. Finally, invest in a Dutch oven that can be used in limitless recipes, from bread to cakes and stews. Since they’re made from cast iron, they’ll most likely last for a lifetime. 

Conclusion 

Becoming the family’s chef is hard work, so you should transform the kitchen into your dream space. This means updating the area for more storage and movement but also investing in high-quality utensils and appliances. What’s for sure is you can do it on a budget, but this implies you take your time and discover all available options.