There’s nothing quite so inviting as a kitchen that feels as much like a warm welcome as it does a workspace. It’s little wonder, then, that most of us are low-key obsessed with making our kitchen the best it can be.
But a complete reno can come at an eye-watering cost, which is why it’s worth considering the alternative – clever DIY tricks and tweaks that can transform the look for less. Never underestimate the power of paintwork and other spend-smart strategies to update the busiest hub of your home, within a budget.
Using paint to transform a dated kitchen
Blue kitchens are a classic and timeless choice – bolder than grey and still very livable. Here are our favourite ways to incorporate colour and fun into a kitchen that needs a makeover.
Get creative with your space
Make better use of natural light. Here, old superfluous box shelves underneath the window were replaced with a sun-drenched breakfast bench.
Go tonal with your paint
When painting your kitchen cupboards, choose a half-strength paint for the lower cabinets and a quarter-strength for the uppers to make the space feel light and fresh.
Reconfigure your layout
The awkward layout of this dated kitchen demanded an upgrade. Appliances and furniture were strategically shifted to create an efficient work core and improve flow. The fridge was moved closer to the other two workstations – the stove and the sink – to make the space functional.
Replace your old benchtops with off-the-shelf pine panels for a fraction of the cost of made-to-measure. For a brekkie bar, extend your benchtop past the cabinets, cut an upright section to bench height and join to the underside in a butt joint with PVA glue.
How to accessorise your blue kitchen
This icy palette can make the room feel a little cold, but you can easily warm it up by balancing your cabinets and walls (updated with paint and a dado rail) with natural-toned accents.
Here, woven rush dining chairs pair with a rattan lampshade and blend in with wooden benching, bar stools and the main dining table.
Jolts of contrasting colours can be added with clever accessories, such as the engine red candle holder on display and bowls of fruit.
These bright splashes will help keep everything from looking too matchy-matchy. To tie it all together, you can layer in textures with table linen in a calming shade of ecru.
To create this feeling of bright and happy yourself, we’ve compiled our top three pieces of decor to match the blue of your new kitchen:
01
Small pleated table lamp
from $28.96, Amazon
Add natural elements to your kitchen decor to keep it grounded. This table lamp has a rattan base and neutral fabric shade that allows the blue panelling and cabinetry to shine through. Make sure to use a warm light bulb to keep the warm ambience even when daylight ends.
02
Connor 65cm bar stool
from $240, Interior Secrets
Wooden decor is just what you need to keep your decor aesthetic and practical at the same time. With a simple design, this bar stool from Interior Secrets boasts of comfort and classiness.
03
Indigo Studio Sirene ceramic vase
from $34.95, Temple & Webster
Those red accessories can be tricky to locate, and sometimes too garish for your simple colour palette. Stick to muted red shades in your decor, like this ceramic vase from Indigo Studio. Add in a bouquet of evergreen foliage, and your kitchen will stay lively and bright!
