JANUARY

I always start THE NEW YEAR itching to take on a project. I have renovated bathrooms, tiled back-splashes, painted living rooms and created gallery walls…all in January. I find the focus and resulting busy-ness helps to fend off the Winter Blahs – and in the end – something gets done and then Spring comes!

The projects do not have to be HUGE…walls do not need to be ripped out and floors re-sanded. Nope – in fact, some of the biggest changes can be made by making little inexpensive IMPROVEMENTS and “tweaks” that serve to breathe new life into your kitchen.

Here are 5 OF MY FAVORITE INEXPENSIVE IDEAS!

1.ADD ART
Bring an unexpected piece of ART into your kitchen – Thrift stores, Yard sales and places like Goodwill have loads of funky old art or a framed MAP or scan and print up a cool black and white old photo. Target (hit those end caps!), Michaels, Marshalls and TJ Maxx have no shortage of great frames.  The surprise factor adds a bit of class and whimsy and color to your kitchen.

2. ADD A LEDGE

THIS IS A GREAT WAY to bring levels and texture and functionality to your kitchen. make them yourself, or try IKEA for their great ledges. Whatever direction you go, it will enable you to display a collection, or expand your visible storage.

3. ADD A RUG

– vintage rugs IN KITCHENS ARE VERY ON-TREND RIGHT NOW. BUT ANY RUG THAT BRINGS COLOR, AND DIMENSION AND SOFTNESS TO YOUR KITCHEN IS AGREAT IDEA. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT HERE! OLD RUGS, NEW RUGS…RUNNERS AND SMALL (4X6) RUGS MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE IN YOUR KITCHEN!

4. PAINT

 STILL ONE OF THE BEST BANGS FOR YOUR BUCK!!!! ADD AN ACCENT WALL WITH A FUN SURPRISING COLOR – OR THE INSIDE OF A CABINET OR ADD AN AREA OF CHALKBOARD PAINT.

5. UPDATE SOME HARDWARE

– DOOR KNOBS, DRAWER PULLS, FUN HOOKS TO HANG TOWELS….THE GOLD AND BRASS TREND IS STILL HOT BUT GO FOR WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART SOAR!!! I AM A BIG FAN OF POLISHED NICKEL. CLASSIC. TIMELESS. HAVE FUN!

SO ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR A LITTLE MONEY???

This POST just scratches the surface of ideas, but I think you get the gist of it. Writing it kind of made me want to do a regular post on these relatively simple (compared to BIG renovations) to make a BIG impact. It reminded me of how fun it is to get creative…even in kitchens that are “done” – you can always add a little “spice”. Try any of the above changes, or all if you are really gung ho – They can give a little boost to your mood and your kitchen. I call that a WIN WIN!!! ALL can be accomplished with very little investment – or if you are in the mood to splurge  – you can go more high-end….in either case the results will being welcome relief from the January blahs!!!!

XO