18 Kitchen Updates Every Homeowner Should Know About
Replace taps, kitchen handles and even add a nifty little charging dock to make the main hub of the house work better for you
These days the kitchen is the most important room in the house. We’re constantly calling it our main hub, where we cook fresh meals, entertain guests, do homework, post messages and, yes, every now and then watch TV. But with the increased focus on function comes a lot of stuff that needs fixing, replacing, tweaking, cleaning and organising. For that you’ll need to arm yourself with some kitchen knowledge so you can stay on top of what’s most important. Here are 18 projects every home dweller should know about.
2. Pick a new kitchen tap
Sure, a tap is a must for practical tasks, but it also helps define the style of your kitchen. Replacing taps is a project that’s straightforward enough for many homeowners or a handy friend.
Find out how to pick a new kitchen tap
Sure, a tap is a must for practical tasks, but it also helps define the style of your kitchen. Replacing taps is a project that’s straightforward enough for many homeowners or a handy friend.
Find out how to pick a new kitchen tap
3. Reface your kitchen cabinets
The costs of buying or building new cabinets can add up quickly. Refacing might be a more affordable option for you – and can add 10 years of life to your cabinets.
Before you start the refacing process, make sure your kitchen structure is in tip-top shape and that the base cabinets can take the restoration process. It can be a great DIY project, or for those less DIY inclined, you can seek the help of your local kitchen cabinet maker.
Take a look at more low-effort high-impact kitchen cabinet updates
The costs of buying or building new cabinets can add up quickly. Refacing might be a more affordable option for you – and can add 10 years of life to your cabinets.
Before you start the refacing process, make sure your kitchen structure is in tip-top shape and that the base cabinets can take the restoration process. It can be a great DIY project, or for those less DIY inclined, you can seek the help of your local kitchen cabinet maker.
Take a look at more low-effort high-impact kitchen cabinet updates
4. Paint your cupboards a new colour
Maybe refacing isn’t what you need but a jazzy new paint colour is. This is another more budget-friendly option that’s worth considering over replacing the cupboards altogether, but take care that your paint of choice can adhere to the existing finish – otherwise it may need sanding and an undercoat first.
Maybe refacing isn’t what you need but a jazzy new paint colour is. This is another more budget-friendly option that’s worth considering over replacing the cupboards altogether, but take care that your paint of choice can adhere to the existing finish – otherwise it may need sanding and an undercoat first.
5. Learn how to talk about kitchen cupboard door styles
Do you know what an inset, a partial overlay and a full overlay are? They are the three different types of cabinet doors available. These little pieces of knowledge will have a huge impact on how you view, design or renovate your kitchen. Knowing how to talk to the professionals about your specific kitchen cabinet design will also make the renovating process a whole lot easier.
These 8 kitchen cupboard doors may inspire you
Do you know what an inset, a partial overlay and a full overlay are? They are the three different types of cabinet doors available. These little pieces of knowledge will have a huge impact on how you view, design or renovate your kitchen. Knowing how to talk to the professionals about your specific kitchen cabinet design will also make the renovating process a whole lot easier.
These 8 kitchen cupboard doors may inspire you
6. Choose new cabinet knobs and pulls
This isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are countless styles of pulls, knobs, hinges and more to make sense of.
Here’s what you need to consider before choosing kitchen handles
This isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are countless styles of pulls, knobs, hinges and more to make sense of.
Here’s what you need to consider before choosing kitchen handles
7. Add toe-kick storage
You know that unused space underneath your cabinets? It offers an amazing storage opportunity including a spot for large baking trays and even step ladders. The best way to install them is to order them with new cabinets. It is also possible to add a freestanding drawer that can slide in underneath.
You know that unused space underneath your cabinets? It offers an amazing storage opportunity including a spot for large baking trays and even step ladders. The best way to install them is to order them with new cabinets. It is also possible to add a freestanding drawer that can slide in underneath.
8. Organise everything
From the pantry and shelves to the cabinets and appliances, we accumulate a lot of stuff in our kitchens. What you need is a full-on game plan to get everything in order.
Find out how to organise your kitchen cupboards
From the pantry and shelves to the cabinets and appliances, we accumulate a lot of stuff in our kitchens. What you need is a full-on game plan to get everything in order.
Find out how to organise your kitchen cupboards
9. Build a mail and message centre
Of course, clutter comes from outside the kitchen too, in the form of mail, notes, keys and more. Take control over the mess with your own message centre. You can have a professional construct one for you, or it can make for a fun weekend DIY project.
Of course, clutter comes from outside the kitchen too, in the form of mail, notes, keys and more. Take control over the mess with your own message centre. You can have a professional construct one for you, or it can make for a fun weekend DIY project.
10. Keep your white space looking white
All-white kitchens are still all the rage. But also raging are homeowners trying to keep them clean. Learn a few key tips and tricks.
See how to keep your white kitchen white
All-white kitchens are still all the rage. But also raging are homeowners trying to keep them clean. Learn a few key tips and tricks.
See how to keep your white kitchen white
11. Clean tile grout
Is there anything on this planet that’s harder to clean than tile grout? Probably not. Here’s a tried and true method.
The easiest way to clean tile grout
Is there anything on this planet that’s harder to clean than tile grout? Probably not. Here’s a tried and true method.
The easiest way to clean tile grout
12. Clean your cutting board
With all the action – and bacteria – your cutting boards and butcher blocks see, keeping them clean should be part of your routine.
See how to clean and care for your butcher block
With all the action – and bacteria – your cutting boards and butcher blocks see, keeping them clean should be part of your routine.
See how to clean and care for your butcher block
13. Get the right tools for the job
A kitchen is useless without the right utensils and cookware to make it function.
Here are 10 additions every foodie needs in their kitchen
A kitchen is useless without the right utensils and cookware to make it function.
Here are 10 additions every foodie needs in their kitchen
14. Shop for appliances wisely
No two ovens, microwaves or refrigerators are created equal. Here’s how to be a savvy shopper.
The questions you need to ask yourself before buying kitchen appliances
No two ovens, microwaves or refrigerators are created equal. Here’s how to be a savvy shopper.
The questions you need to ask yourself before buying kitchen appliances
15. Make a stand for tablets and cookbooks
It sounds pretty basic, but this little accessory will make your life in the kitchen so much easier. It is a very simple DIY project simply involving wooden boards, nails and brads.
It sounds pretty basic, but this little accessory will make your life in the kitchen so much easier. It is a very simple DIY project simply involving wooden boards, nails and brads.
16. Make a funky charging station to hide all those wires
The onslaught of tech gadgets in our lives has happened much too quickly for our kitchens to keep up with, leaving us with vital benchtop space strewn with wires and devices. Building a fun charging station not only decorates the kitchen and eliminates loose chords, but provides a functional way to power your electronic devices.
The onslaught of tech gadgets in our lives has happened much too quickly for our kitchens to keep up with, leaving us with vital benchtop space strewn with wires and devices. Building a fun charging station not only decorates the kitchen and eliminates loose chords, but provides a functional way to power your electronic devices.
17. Install a kitchen splashback
A new kitchen splashback can dramatically change the way your kitchen looks and feels. The great thing is that, if you’re choosing tile, it’s a project you might be able to do yourself.
Be inspired by these tile splashbacks
A new kitchen splashback can dramatically change the way your kitchen looks and feels. The great thing is that, if you’re choosing tile, it’s a project you might be able to do yourself.
Be inspired by these tile splashbacks
18. Add storage to your splashback for hanging pots, pans and utensils
Already got a splashback but want to make better use of it? Installing systems for hanging utensils and pans is a great way to maximise that wall.
Here’s why you should hang your pots and pans
MORE
Kitchen Inspiration: 10 Stunning Splashback Ideas
Clever Corner-Cupboard Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen Renovation
8 Kitchen Additions That’ll Make Life a Little Bit Easier
Already got a splashback but want to make better use of it? Installing systems for hanging utensils and pans is a great way to maximise that wall.
Here’s why you should hang your pots and pans
MORE
Kitchen Inspiration: 10 Stunning Splashback Ideas
Clever Corner-Cupboard Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen Renovation
8 Kitchen Additions That’ll Make Life a Little Bit Easier
Is there anything in your kitchen that gets used as much as your sink? Doubtful. That’s why it’s important to choose the right one – size, width, style – for your space.
How to choose a new kitchen sink