Are you tired of making the same old meals in the same old kitchen? Are you dying for something fresh and exciting that actually motivates you to pull out the cutting board and spend some time with the cookbook? We’ve gathered eight ways to rejuvenate your cooking space from small changes you can do in an afternoon to weekend projects. Even if tackled in phases, you would be surprised by the positive changes to your kitchen that you can accomplish.

Give New Life to Your Kitchen with These Pro Tips

1. Replace Your Fixtures

What kind of fixtures do you have? What kind of fixtures do you want? Don’t be afraid to change the game entirely. For example, if you have brass taps, go for something completely different and replace them with chrome. If your faucet handles are small, opt for something oversized. Maybe you need a pull-down kitchen faucet to work in your sink area more comfortably depending on the tasks you usually do.

pull down faucet kitchen pdb

2. Let There Be Light

A skylight is a great addition to the modern kitchen, letting in the sun’s natural rays for a warm and cozy feel while you do your cooking. The only downside to skylights is when night comes, you have a big dark hole in your ceiling, so your general and task lighting plan better be well thought out and calculated for best results.

If you can’t afford such an extravagance, however, you can still hang new lights to give the space a fresh and illuminated look.

In my own kitchen remodel, I increased the width of the window by the sink which now lets in a lot of natural light throughout the day. Having both general and task lighting not only improves the aesthetics of the kitchen but also the practical functionality of being able to clearly see what you’re doing. Check out the difference it made!

Kitchen before :(

Patty's kitchen before
Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

Kitchen after :)

formulate the right size kitchen island designer space planning ergonomics interior design materials cabinets countertops cooking
Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

3. Replace Knobs, Hooks, and Handles

You’ll be surprised at how much a small change can completely transform your space. Switching out your knobs to give your cabinets a whole new look is one of the easiest tasks to accomplish. If you have handles rather than knobs, you may have to match the distance of the holes, look for the center to center dimension when shopping. You might also consider replacing doorknobs, cupboard knobs and any other kind of latching or grabbing device in the kitchen.

4. Change Your Flooring

Replace your tiles, throw down a rug, or maybe strip out all of the porcelain and replace it with limestone. A good rule of thumb is to let one element in your kitchen design be your focal point. So if your cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, etc. are not bringing a flavorful punch of interest, consider making your floors the focal point. In my kitchen, I wanted the glass countertop at the island to mimic water and be the focal point. Therefore, I designed my cabinetry, countertops and flooring to be “calm” and recede so the glass top could shine. Depending on your budget, you could be walking around your kitchen in a whole new way in a matter of days.

5. Upgrade Your Sink

Have you been rinsing chicken in the same sink for years? It’s time to consider an upgrade. For example, you might invest in a double-bowl sink if you and your spouse do a lot of cooking together, or you might want to install one with granite surfaces for that extra touch of pizazz. ShopHahn.com has great sink options for both kitchen and bath.

Sink accessories are a great way to have flexible control over your sink and prep area. Because you can easily change the configuration depending on the task, the cleaning and prep station will get a lot more efficient. My Kitchen Products with Multipurpose Functionality gets more into what a great chef sink can do now a days.

6. Increase Your Organization

Poor organization is one of the biggest causes of kitchen accidents. It will also give the space a cluttered, unappealing look. Start hanging shelves and pegboards to keep your cooking materials out of the way until you need them, and periodically clean out your pantry to make sure you aren’t wasting space on expired products.

drawer organizers for the kitchen island pdb
Designs by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

7. Change Your Shelf Liners

How long ago were your shelf liners installed? If you’re anything like most homeowners, you probably don’t even think about them unless they’re stained or peeling. Make it a point to change the liners in your kitchen. While you’re at it, add pretty wallpaper to the back of your cabinets or pantry so you’ll be greeted with something stylish every time you reach for a saucer. Doing this exercise will also enable the above tip and help you get your shelves more organized.

8. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

A new paint job is a great way to drastically alter the look of your kitchen without spending a lot of money. Going from white walls to blue walls will make the entire space pop! Best of all, if you aren’t completely satisfied or you get bored of the change quickly, try again, it’s not permanent.

These are just a few ways to renovate and rejuvenate your kitchen. While not all of them are super budget friendly, here are 5 inexpensive upgrades for your kitchen. There are many more, of course, but let these ideas be your starting point for a fresh new look. But whatever you do, have a plan first! This is my interior design mantra.


Are you wishing to tackle a more intensive kitchen design project? I’ve written a detailed guide going over what you need to consider when planning a kitchen island. This guide includes the design expertise in space planning, ergonomics, use of appliances, material transitions, and more that I have acquired over the years to help my clients achieve a kitchen they love to work in every day.

Images Courtesy of Canva.

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About the Author: Patricia Davis Brown

Patricia, like her blog, is not a one-dimensional designer, which is evident in her accolades of 17 national design awards. Over a 38-year career in the industry, she has carved a niche in several areas of design. Licensed in interior design and certified in kitchen and bath design, she offers a full menu of design services ranging from whole house interior design, kitchen and bath design, lighting design, full remodels, commercial design and universal (ADA) design. Patricia is a sought-after speaker in the industry and has been published in many publications as seen on her interior design firm’s website, https://www.patriciadavisbrowndesigns.com/. She writes for such publications as QuinStreetinc, Relaxed Remodeler, and eHow.com talent offering design tips.