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.
![PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUSTIN HALLECK](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/the-best-kitchens-of-2016-silver-and-white-PHOTOGRAPHY-BY-DUSTIN-HALLECK.jpg)
![INSIDE OUT](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/INSIDE-OUT-.jpg)
![TAVEL ART FROM ETSY - COCO AND JAMES](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/56fd7b5a7b4d3f8d62cc43ed637d1ab4.jpg)
![TIP JUNKIE - FRAME AN OLD FAMILY RECIPE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/02ec8c3fa01351ed4ab5f9e04ed8c56a.jpg)
![I LOVE THE OPENNESS OF AND LIGHT INHERENT TO THIS HOME. MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_0358-700x467.jpg)
![BIGGER THAN THE THREE OF US](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Modern-Eclectic-Eat-In-Kitchen-Reveal-4-601x900.jpg)
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.
![LEDGE A PALOOZA!!! turbulences-deco.fr](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/07260f51c9f2b4d2cfe389001fdae393.jpg)
![oslo-design-fair](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/OSLO-DESIGN-FAIR-674x900.jpeg)
![COOL CHAIRS DOMINO](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/COOL-CHAIRS-DOMINO-700x467.jpg)
![DISPLAY PLATES ON YOUR LEDGE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/APARTMENT-THERAPY.jpeg)
![ATKINSON DRIVE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/90376a9e54e10352e8b51e992a1dd58c.jpg)
![LEDGE - HONESTLY WTF](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/abc7-600x900.jpg)
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!
![RETURN ON INTERIORS](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/9604e9ba9bc4cfca7550c11623857fed.jpg)
![MY DOMAINE - APARTMENT THERAPY](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/23246346ee38b3a0c8f46bbccfe30555.jpg)
![rugs-in-kitchen-1](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/rugs-in-kitchen-1.jpg)
![hemtrevligt](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ADD-A-RUG.jpg)
![HONESTLY WTF](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/5c3a4f8f9dcc3835d740d8206acb2f7c.jpg)
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.
![POPPY TALK - Photo styled by Julia Green and photographed by Armelle Habib](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/c0c4d49f8a141e3bc6d09faa57df0260.jpg)
![dulux](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/DULUX-600x900.jpeg)
![- Antonio Ballatore's Hot Pink Kitchen WallBethany Nauert](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/506b0d32fb04d60a4d00129d._w.540_h.810_s.fit_.jpg)
![FROM POP SUGAR - ADD A POP OF COLOR INSIDE A CABINET!](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/f275a6b3411d1078ce4a5f1064968cf4.jpg)
![COLORFUL DECORATING FOR SMALL SPACES- DOMINO](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/90ba520d8f0b97382dee603cecc4a61e-700x539.jpeg)
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!
![MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG_0716-600x900.jpg)
![I LOVE A WHITE KITCHEN - THEY STAND THE TEST OF TIME!!!](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/4276c75f0b8c57793f81b3af85298a23.jpg)
![THE IVORY LANE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1d96552e9c2a306f2402a8a99dac5cbb.jpg)
![COFFEE AND PINE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/84ab68a66d72b62f2a7e51a0f8ef686d.jpg)
![DECOR PAD](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/f77c3f8bd5139f04ec4d490808af538a.jpg)
![HGTV](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/4cf9cab378eca2102f7a6cbafd3f6d7a.jpg)
![BETHESDA STYLE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/602456d5c50cebb9133e9e40564ef447.jpg)
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
Great ideas!
Thanks Kathy!
Love ledges!! They are so multifonctional!
Me too! and if you notice, almost every kitchen i featured under any category had some kind of ledge, they just make great sense!
Enjoyed this post….some great ideas! Going to look for some artwork to add to my kitchen this weekend.
ooooh send me some photos when you do!