5 quick ways to update your kitchen over a weekend

Let's face it, we live in a busy world. Australians spend, on average, 10 hours a day working¹ - much higher than the average. Being so time-poor but ambition-rich, sometimes you might feel like you don't have any time to do anything at all, much less update your kitchen.

So, to prove that you can work hard and still keep your interior decor super chic, here are 5 ways you can make some impressive changes to your kitchen, all over the course of a weekend or less.

1. LED lighting on the island

If you've ever felt like your kitchen needs to look a little more space-age, then LED lighting could be your friend. Consider fitting strips of this kind of lighting on the base or just below the work top of a breakfast bar or kitchen island to add a quick, easy and extremely interesting point of difference. Not to mention, you'll find it easier hunting down that midnight snack.

Bonus tip: Try adjusting your LED colours to match the season. Autumn is now here, so soft, warm colours like orange or yellow will help you keep your kitchen visually stunning as well as comfortable.

2. Switch out your handles

Your kitchen cupboards, drawers and cabinets are probably some of the most-used doors in your home. All that gripping, pulling and pushing can end up doing some pretty severe damage even to the most durable of materials. Most of these handles are affixed by simple screws - easily replaceable by someone looking to make a quick update, and all your need is a screwdriver.

Bonus tip: While you've got the screwdriver out, you might want to check on your hinges too. Oil them or replace them as necessary to ensure that your repairs don't have to be a frequent occurrence.

Blackboards aren't just for the schoolroom

3. Create a blackboard

Once relegated to more traditional classrooms, blackboards have now found a place in the world of the kitchen. It might be a far more interesting and creative way of leaving messages for your family (or just engaging in some personal creativity) than fridge magnets, and plus it could be super easy to do. All you need is a canvas and some special blackboard paint which you should be able to get your hands on from a local DIY store.

Bonus tip: This paint can also be used on other surfaces, so don't be afraid of even painting a more permanent piece of furniture - a cupboard, a cabinet or even a bench top could be suitable. This is also great for housemates trying to keep track of the total household budget.

4. Swap out your lighting

Lighting might make all the difference to a room, so try not to forget about it. Whether you've just got a blown bulb or fancy having a completely different set of fixtures, replacing your lighting can be as simple or as complex as you like. If you're stuck for ideas, start off with simply changing out the voltage of the bulb - a little less or (more likely) a little more could reveal the best parts of your kitchen.

Bonus tip: If you've replaced the bulbs and they still don't work, you might be dealing with a blown transformer. This can be particularly common in older homes, but these can be replaced in much the same way as a bulb. Read up online and make sure you turn the mains off before you go mucking with the wiring though!
 

Smart storage might not be exciting, but it could be the key to a better home

5. Update your storage

A good kitchen probably has plenty of storage for the various appliances, cutlery and cooking paraphernalia that a person picks up over time. One of the easiest solutions is simple to install hooks on the side of a handy cabinet upon which to hang your saucepans. Alternatively, shelving is also a nice, simple and very practical storage solution for anything you might need a right to hand.

Bonus tip: If you do transfer your stuff to a new storage solution, take the opportunity to chuck out anything you don't use - you might find you don't need that new shelving at the end of the purge!

For more tips and tricks on your home as well as your loan, get into contact with the team at IMB or visit our website here!

Enquire about an IMB Bank Personal Loan to support your home renovations

Source:

houzz

Better Homes and Gardens

Bunnings

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1 - OECD, Better Life Index