It’s easy to tire of a decorating scheme, especially if you spend the majority of your time in one particular room. We’re increasingly using the kitchen not only as a space to cook, but also to eat, entertain, gather as a family and relax, so it’s natural we should want to mix things up from time to time. Changing cabinetry can be a costly business, but luckily you can transform your kitchen without putting in a huge amount of time or effort. Paint is the most obvious way to reinvigorate a tired scheme. From on-trend greys or minimalist white to a feature wall in a bold colour – the possibilities are endless. Also consider a statement wallpaper or mural in a bold pattern, which is a great way to zone off a dining area.
Lighting also has transformative powers, from oversized pendants suspended over a table to subtle LED strips under cabinetry – there is a wealth of choice when it comes to kitchen illumination that doesn’t have to cost the earth.
And what about furniture? The introduction of some colourful bar stools can take a scheme from ordinary to urban chic in an instant, while a secondhand dresser lovingly brought back to life with an unusual coat of paint will give a county kitchen a modern edge.
Read on for more of our top tips!
White and brick kitchen with pops of red
A splash of the right colour can cheer up any kitchen scheme. Here, the bar stools provide a welcome colour pop, and a handy spot to sit and grab a coffee or catch up on emails.
Cabinetry and worktops
Urbo from Roundhouse
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Kitchen with classic retro styling
Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a domestic goddess? This casual kitchen-diner is decorated in simple white with splashes of bright colours and 1950s-style accessories for a fun, retro feel. Spread them around the room to draw the eye in different directions.
Gingham tablecloth
Marks & Spencer
Fridge-freezer
Smeg
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Kitchen clock wall stickers
Wall stickers are a great way to add character to your kitchen at minimal cost. The clock wall stickers in this eclectic kitchen-diner are a novel way to stamp your personality on to a scheme.
Wall sticker set
Spin Collective
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Kitchen wall art
Love decorative wall art? Add an arty element to your kitchen with a fabulous print. This cockatoo painting adds quirky charm to this modern kitchen design.
Similar prints
Easy Art
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Floral kitchen wallpaper
Who says you can't wallpaper a kitchen? You can, and to great effect. Floral wallpaper provides a pretty backdrop in this shabby-chic kitchen scheme.
Wallpaper
Sanderson
Jug
David Austin
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Kitchen with simple industrial good looks
A pared-back warehouse look is created in this kitchen-diner with brick-effect wallpaper and a mix of warm wood and natural materials with tougher, industrial-style furniture.
Wallpaper
Rockett St George
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Modern kitchen space with neon lights
Slighty unconvential but with heaps of character - the not-so-subtle glow of neon signs lights up the darker reccesses of a modern kitchen. They add warmth and interest to a plain space.
Sofa
Circus Antiques & Interiors
Similar lighting
Neon Creations
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Blackboard kitchen wall
This is one you can get the kids involved with. Painting on a wall with magnetic blackboard paint is perfect for those all-important reminders, shopping lists and toddler scrawls.
Blackboard paint
Dulux
Love this? Take a look at our dedicated room channels for more great bedroom, bathroom and living room decorating ideas
