Kitchen Planning: One-Weekend Projects to Update Your Space
Easy updates that will give your kitchen a fresh new look, without taking it out of action
If your kitchen is looking a little tired but you can’t face (or afford!) the upheaval of putting in a whole new one, there are plenty of achievable updates that offer a big impact in a short space of time. The first job is to identify the areas in need of a refresh, then schedule in small projects that can be carried out in just a couple of hard-working days.
Before you start, remember to carefully measure up and allow time for anything you’ve ordered to arrive, and then clear and prepare the space properly. Some of these projects may be easier with the help of a professional, while others are possible to tackle on your own – depending on your level of DIY skill!
Before you start, remember to carefully measure up and allow time for anything you’ve ordered to arrive, and then clear and prepare the space properly. Some of these projects may be easier with the help of a professional, while others are possible to tackle on your own – depending on your level of DIY skill!
Ramp up the colour
If you’ve fallen out of love with your natural-wood cabinet doors, painting them achieves a pleasingly quick transformation. Aim for a cohesive kitchen look by sticking to a limited colour palette of two or three tones. Paint the doors in either a pale colour to tie in with existing walls and woodwork, or in a stronger colour (like the grey shown here) to provide an effective counterpoint to an otherwise neutral room.
If you’ve fallen out of love with your natural-wood cabinet doors, painting them achieves a pleasingly quick transformation. Aim for a cohesive kitchen look by sticking to a limited colour palette of two or three tones. Paint the doors in either a pale colour to tie in with existing walls and woodwork, or in a stronger colour (like the grey shown here) to provide an effective counterpoint to an otherwise neutral room.
Swap your splashback
For a speedy kitchen update, consider a new splashback. Available in almost infinite colours and patterns, large glass panels are faster to fit than traditional tiles. Remember to factor in any plug sockets, as these will need to be templated and professionally cut in advance. Sockets are then removed prior to installation, and then reattached on top of the finished splashback.
For a speedy kitchen update, consider a new splashback. Available in almost infinite colours and patterns, large glass panels are faster to fit than traditional tiles. Remember to factor in any plug sockets, as these will need to be templated and professionally cut in advance. Sockets are then removed prior to installation, and then reattached on top of the finished splashback.
Open up your storage
Wall cabinets can make smaller kitchens feel oppressive, while in larger spaces, long banks of cupboards sometimes give an unwanted locker-room effect.
Removing upper cabinets can breathe new life into a kitchen. Open shelves are an attractive way to display frequently-used items, and a well-curated display will add style to your space. But do make sure that any contents you don’t want on display can be accommodated elsewhere!
Discover more tips for clever kitchen storage ideas
Wall cabinets can make smaller kitchens feel oppressive, while in larger spaces, long banks of cupboards sometimes give an unwanted locker-room effect.
Removing upper cabinets can breathe new life into a kitchen. Open shelves are an attractive way to display frequently-used items, and a well-curated display will add style to your space. But do make sure that any contents you don’t want on display can be accommodated elsewhere!
Discover more tips for clever kitchen storage ideas
Expose brickwork
If you’re not afraid of dust and don’t mind making your kitchen look worse before it looks better, removing plaster to reveal bare brick in a small area can bring character to a plain room.
Newly exposed bricks will then need to be carefully cleaned and sealed to prevent dust and debris from coming loose in future.
If you’re not afraid of dust and don’t mind making your kitchen look worse before it looks better, removing plaster to reveal bare brick in a small area can bring character to a plain room.
Newly exposed bricks will then need to be carefully cleaned and sealed to prevent dust and debris from coming loose in future.
Consider quick floor updates
Once the ugly alternative to real wood or tile, vinyl and rubber flooring designs are now as fashionable as they are practical. Fast to lay and warm underfoot, designs range from convincing wood-effect planking to encaustic print tiles.
Vinyl flooring comes in large sheets, and a professional should be able to finish a room in a few hours, while an amateur with some DIY knowledge may need a full weekend. Once done, you’ll be amazed how new flooring can transform the overall look of your whole kitchen.
Once the ugly alternative to real wood or tile, vinyl and rubber flooring designs are now as fashionable as they are practical. Fast to lay and warm underfoot, designs range from convincing wood-effect planking to encaustic print tiles.
Vinyl flooring comes in large sheets, and a professional should be able to finish a room in a few hours, while an amateur with some DIY knowledge may need a full weekend. Once done, you’ll be amazed how new flooring can transform the overall look of your whole kitchen.
Change cabinet handles
One of the fastest and easiest ways to update the look of your cabinets is to replace the handles. Leather is a smart option that suits most schemes – whether your kitchen is country or contemporary. Styles vary from these traditional-looking pull handles to sleek tab designs. Many can be used on both drawers and cupboards for a consistent look.
Six things to consider when choosing new cupboard handles
One of the fastest and easiest ways to update the look of your cabinets is to replace the handles. Leather is a smart option that suits most schemes – whether your kitchen is country or contemporary. Styles vary from these traditional-looking pull handles to sleek tab designs. Many can be used on both drawers and cupboards for a consistent look.
Six things to consider when choosing new cupboard handles
Try freestanding units
If your current kitchen set-up really isn’t working for you but you don’t want to install a new fitted kitchen, why not consider freestanding furniture?
Ideal for awkward spaces where a bank of units wouldn’t work, freestanding pieces allow you more flexibility with positioning, and may save you money as each unit comes with its own integrated worktop.
If your current kitchen set-up really isn’t working for you but you don’t want to install a new fitted kitchen, why not consider freestanding furniture?
Ideal for awkward spaces where a bank of units wouldn’t work, freestanding pieces allow you more flexibility with positioning, and may save you money as each unit comes with its own integrated worktop.
Style your possessions
If all of these projects sound too much like hard work, consider working with what you have and accessorise using your existing pieces.
Theming an arrangement of items by colour is a simple way of adding flair to your kitchen. Or try grouping natural elements, such as wooden chopping boards and utensils, and display them alongside a jug of fresh foliage to bring warmth to a utilitarian room.
TELL US…
Have you carried out a kitchen project in a short space of time? Which part of your kitchen would you want to freshen up first? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
If all of these projects sound too much like hard work, consider working with what you have and accessorise using your existing pieces.
Theming an arrangement of items by colour is a simple way of adding flair to your kitchen. Or try grouping natural elements, such as wooden chopping boards and utensils, and display them alongside a jug of fresh foliage to bring warmth to a utilitarian room.
TELL US…
Have you carried out a kitchen project in a short space of time? Which part of your kitchen would you want to freshen up first? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
If your kitchen cabinet carcasses are solid but your doors are looking dated, adding new fronts is an easy upgrade that can change the look of your kitchen significantly. Many companies manufacture custom-coloured doors to fit existing cabinet boxes. Costs start from around £55 for a Shaker-style door in primed and painted hardwood. The new fronts are attached using concealed hinges, and can certainly be fitted in a weekend.