DIY Kitchen Upgrades If You're Short On Time

The kitchen may be the hardest-working room in the house. Days begin and end around the activity of preparing meals. A functional kitchen design can make a huge difference in the quality of your day-to-day life and your home's value — especially if you plan on selling it someday.

If you want to upgrade your kitchen but are short on time, you can skip an extensive remodel and go with easy weekend projects that are sure to improve the functionality and appearance of your kitchen. Here are quick and sustainable kitchen upgrades to get you started.

• Swap Out the Hardware
  Replacing builder-grade drawer pulls and knobs with new hardware adds character and visual interest to your kitchen. In just a few minutes, you can instantly make your kitchen look on-trend. Choose an option in a sleek, modern shape. You could opt for sleek polished chrome, brass, or black – even if you have stainless steel appliances. The design should be easy to clean and as functional as it is beautiful. Count the number of handles, drawer pulls, or knobs before heading out to the store.
  
  

• Brighten with Lighting
  Give your kitchen some drama and show off pretty display pieces with various lighting options. Place a pendant over the island or peninsula to take your space from okay to OMG. Look for styles with geometric patterns and shapes for the most contemporary look. Don't forget under-cabinet lighting to add practical task lighting and create a warm ambiance in a dark and dingy space.
  
  
• Replace Window Coverings
  Window treatments are the unsung heroes of design, enhancing privacy, controlling light infiltration, and framing the entire space. The correct window treatment can create a visual impact, elevate your kitchen's design, and reflect your sense of style and beauty. There are many different options that can involve custom ideas, a fusion of existing treatments, or DIY creations. The shape and style of your window will determine the scope of the project. So put the spotlight on this oft-overlooked area using curtains, shutters, shades, or blinds that are easy to remove.
  
  
• Install a Backsplash
  When the countertop and cabinets are in great shape, installing a new backsplash can instantly boost the "wow" factor in any kitchen. When you're short on time, a new backsplash can be as easy as peel-and-stick. With these, you just mark out where you want to install the tile, clean the surface, and then apply the tile to the wall, giving your kitchen a facelift in a few hours. You can choose virtually any shape, size, and color. This DIY kitchen upgrade is fairly simple if you're patient and careful.
  
  
• Paint the Kitchen Cabinets
  If replacing cabinetry is too costly and too time-consuming, a fresh coat of paint could be a better option. A fresh coat of paint is a relatively easy way to give your kitchen a facelift if your cabinets are sound and functional but a little dated. You'll have to remove hardware, clean and sand the surfaces, and then apply two to three coats of quality paint. This could take about three days. Find a color that looks great in natural and artificial light and enhances your theme.
  
  
• Introduce Open Shelving
  If your kitchen looks overworked or you have a massive blank wall to fill, consider introducing open shelves. Or you can remove upper cabinet doors to give your kitchen a sense of openness and a modern look. After removing the doors, use wood filler to fill in the holes, sand until smooth, and paint as desired. Open shelving is a great way to display everyday dishes, serving platters, cookbooks, fresh herbs, and other decorative kitchen items.
  
  
• Get New Stools
  For a quick kitchen makeover, one of the easiest things to do is to replace your bar stools if you have a kitchen island. The stools tend to show wear and tear faster than other items due to high traffic. Buy the best quality you can afford and choose a set that will make a strong style statement. If you have a banquette in your kitchen, you can quickly update it with a swatch of fresh fabric.

You just need to be creative and strategic to create a stylish and functional space in a short time and for a lot less.

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