When you look at a kitchen that has gone way past its prime, it may be tempting to throw your hands up and suspect that the only solution is to have a major overhaul or complete renovation. Fears of expensive and time-consuming projects easily creep in. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way – it’s possible to upgrade your kitchen with some relatively inexpensive steps.

Kitchen

Here’s the secret: if you understand what makes a kitchen attractive, you can focus on just a few elements and transform your kitchen, bringing it to a whole new level. So what should you pay attention to? Here are the top five elements to change in your kitchen to make it more modern.

Renew the cabinets
The cabinets cover a large part of the surface and are often one of the main attraction points. Changing them automatically gives your kitchen a new look. You don’t have to install new cabinetry; a sanding and painting can make them look as good as new. You may want to remove some doors for an open shelf look.

Remove upper cabinets
A lot of older kitchens tend to have upper cabinetry, whilst in modern kitchens this trend is no longer applied. Removing upper cabinets could be a great idea because it creates more openness, eliminates many shadows, and it’s a great way to de-clutter.

Countertops
A new worktop (such as the beautiful granite worktops London from J.R. Stone) makes a big difference, and with so many styles and designs to choose from, you have endless possibilities. Wood gives your kitchen a homey and warm feeling, whilst stainless steel is still preferred by professionals for its easy maintenance and cleanliness. Granite, as mentioned, and engineered stone are also popular choices.

Flooring
Because the kitchen is such a busy place, it’s important to have flooring that is durable and, in case of spills, easy to clean and safe to walk on. Wood or ceramic tiles are very popular choices.

The splashback
An easy way to upgrade is to install a convenient splashback; it’s economical and looks great. To make it stand out, contrast it with the worktop.

To make your kitchen more efficient (and more energy-efficient as well), you may want to consider replacing old appliances with new, modern ones – though this could arguably require an investment that you may not yet be ready for (unless you plan to do it step by step). Fresh appliances not only make your kitchen look more modern, but allow it operate in a more modern way as well. When upgrading your kitchen, it’s important to understand the various elements and focus on one item at a time. Do this, and you’ll have a whole new kitchen before you know it.