3 DIY Ways to Revamp Your Kitchen

by Ann Hayward 02/20/2022

Updating your kitchen doesn’t always mean doing a full renovation. There is an entire list of smaller projects you can accomplish on your own that will have a major impact on the whole look and feel of your kitchen. Here we’ve put together some ways to make big changes to your kitchen with no renovation required.

Transform Cabinets Into Open Shelving

If you love the look of open kitchen shelving, you don’t have to build brand new shelves. If you already have cabinets for storage, you can convert them into open shelves by removing the doors. This project will only require some basic power tools, paint and a sander, but will have a huge payoff in changing the whole look of your kitchen. Open shelves will make the space feel more open and light while also allowing you to display your collection of dishes, cups or anything else.

To take your new shelves to the next level, try painting the inside of them with a light color. White is always an excellent choice, but you can also go with a pale blue or creamy beige depending on the color scheme in your kitchen.

Light Up Your Counter Space

Another way to add light and create the illusion of more space in your kitchen is by adding under-cabinet lighting. Find some sleek and simple LED light strips and attach them to the bottom of your cabinets or shelves against the wall. This will light up your counter space and make all of your regular tasks easier and safer. No more chopping veggies in the shadows!

You can purchase LED strips at any hardware store or from online retailers and installation is as easy as following the included directions. Keep in mind the placement of outlets for this project and seek the help of a trained professional if you decide to make any wiring changes.

Disguise Your Dish Soap

Your bottle of dish soap can stay close by without causing unnecessary clutter. Hide it while keeping it within reach by installing a soap dispenser on your kitchen sink. Soap dispenser kits come in a wide variety of styles and finishes, making it easy to match the look of your faucet. The process is a bit more involved than the above suggestions, but there are many tutorials available online as well as instructions included in every kit.

This project is simpler if your sink already has an extra hole to add a new attachment. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to drill a new one. This requires more specialist tools, so research your options before you get started.

It’s easy to make big cosmetic changes with small DIY projects. There are just a few of the ways to brighten up and refresh the look of your kitchen with no major renovations. As a bonus, all are easily reversed if you change your mind in the future, giving you the freedom to try new projects with ease.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]