It’s the heart of the home and epicentre for dining and entertaining. But what if your kitchen needs a refurb and money is incredibly tight?
Looeeze Grossman, founder and CEO of The Used Kitchen Company, shares expert tips on ways to work wonders in the busiest room in the house, amid rising prices of everything…
Buy a used kitchen
“While that brand new kitchen you’ve seen in your local showroom may look amazing, it’s without question going to set you back several thousand pounds – and that’s before worktops, appliances or labour costs are included,” observes Grossman.
But did you know you can buy a used or ex-display kitchen at 50-70% off the RRP?
“And remember, if you love the worktops and appliances but the colour isn’t right, you can often re-paint it to the colour of your choice,” notes Grossman.
Sell your existing kitchen
You can also sell your existing kitchen, which could go some way towards purchasing your next one, says Grossman, especially if buying used or ex-display.
“You can sell your used kitchen on eBay or Gumtree, but for a seamless experience – especially if it’s your first time selling – I’d always recommend talking to a company that specialises in selling used kitchens,” suggests Grossman.
Leave the sink, change the taps
It is possible to change your kitchen sink, but it’s not the cheapest option.
“You’ll need to plumb it back in, you’ll need to reseal it, and of course, there’s the risk of chipping your worktops in the process.”
Instead, there are amazing cleaning products on the market that can bring a sparkle back to even the dullest stainless-steel sink.
But while changing the sink could be costly, she says changing your taps doesn’t have to be.
“This can be a great way to modernise your sink and bring it bang up to date,” she adds.
Get creative with flooring
While replacing your kitchen flooring will undoubtedly be expensive, there are ways you can update it for a lot less.
“Stencilling a pattern on plain tiles can make a bold impact that, once sealed, will not only look impactful, but will also last.”
Change your handles
Simply updating your kitchen handles can make a huge difference to the room, and they don’t have to cost a fortune.
“Check out sites like eBay or Amazon, visit boot sales or charity shops and see what’s on offer, ” suggests Grossman.
Storage
She says adding storage to your kitchen will not only make it tidier, but can also make it look completely different.
“Adding under-cupboard storage baskets, or creating a hanging pot stand or utensil holder can update your kitchen and doesn’t cost the earth.”
Add a feature wall or backsplash
If you decide replacing your kitchen is way out of your budget, Grossman says creating a feature wall, or even a feature backsplash, can add some wow factor to a tired kitchen.
“Backsplashes are no longer dowdy tiles, but come in all sorts of materials, including stone and granite to match your worktops, or coloured or vintage glass.”
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