At this time of year we all want our homes to feel light and fresh, and ready for bright summer days. Discover how to give your kitchen a facelift with these little steps that won’t break the bank…
ADD DECORATIVE FEATURES
A few simple additions like artworks, picture frames, prints, books, small vases or even candles can make the world of difference. It’s about adding a touch of your personality to the space without overwhelming it. These small decorative features always look unique and will interest guests when they come to visit. www.neptune.com
A UTENSIL RAIL
An easily interchangeable rail for pots and utensils is practical, looks charming and will give a new feeling to the space. It can always be changed and moved around. www.devolkitchens.co.uk
INTERESTING RUGS
Including a kitchen rug adds interest to the space, and is also very practical and protective for those with wooden flooring. A rattan rug during summer is simply sublime. Add a curved edge, and you have got yourself a gorgeous look. www.nakedkitchens.com
OPEN SHELVING
Either swap out cabinetry for some open shelving or add it to that wall or empty space that you have always wanted to transform. Open cabinetry elevates a space, adds personality and means there is less opportunity for clutter or cabinet stuffing. www.arenakitchens.com
DISPLAY PLANTS
Adding plants or natural features to your kitchen has many benefits. They completely elevate a space and make it feel more lively and refreshed. www.devolkitchens.co.uk
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Add more light – natural light is key but incorporating decorative lamps to create layered lighting or mood lighting can make a huge difference to the feeling in your kitchen. Under-the-cabinet lighting can be easily added at a later stage and brightens up the space. www.oconnorsofdrumleck.ie
SHELVING CABINET
Create a wall feature by incorporating an open shelving cabinet. You can use it for decorative additions and practical storage and it can always be moved to suit your needs. www.kubeinteriors.com
COUNTER ADDITION
Family life and home life can keep growing and changing and our kitchen needs to grow with it. Add to your counter, making it split-level, to create extra eating, working or hang out space. www.cashandcarrykitchens.ie
GIVE YOUR CABINETS A NEW LIFE
Add a fresh layer of paint or new cabinet handles to create a small change. Even this small amount of newness will give you a refreshing feeling every time you walk into the kitchen. Replace all the doors with something completely different if you’re feeling like a bigger change. Pale blue is trending. www.noeldempsey.com
CLEAN YOUR FRIDGE
You know you have to do it. A good clean and organising of the fridge is one of the first things you can do to make your kitchen feel refreshed. It is important to keep an eye on your fridges, they have a shelf life and it is important to change them when they’re not keeping food and perishables fresh anymore. If you are on the lookout for a fridge freezer we recommend the Siemens IQ700 HEADER2.Glassdoor_MultiDoor.
Siemens fridge freezers help you skip a step with their noFrost technology, so you don’t have to defrost – ever. The fridge extracts humidity to keep the air inside your freezer dry. This prevents frost from forming on the interior walls, or on your food, saving the effort of defrosting. It also saves energy, as a frost-free freezer works more efficiently. The built-in, energy-saving LED light provides even lighting throughout the fridge to keep all items in view, so you can see everything you have at a glance. As the LEDs are located at the front, they cannot be obstructed by items at the front. Find out more about them here; www.siemens-home.bsh-group.com. Or visit the Home of Innovation where they can recommend appliances to suit you. www.homeofinnovation.ie
