How to Make a 70s Kitchen Look More Modern

Getting rid of dated wallpaper is an easy first step.

If you've moved into a home with a kitchen that is stuck in the 1970s, don't despair. While a complete remodeling of the room may not be possible, there are small steps you can take to help move the room into the 21st century. For immediate gratification, choose the steps first that will be easiest for you to accomplish. Then, plan for those that will take more time and money.

Things You'll Need

• Wall paint
• Peel-and-stick metal tiles
• Appliance paint

Instructions

1. De-clutter and clean the entire room. The modern trend is toward minimalism, with an emphasis on clean, uncluttered lines. If you tend to leave appliances on the countertops, find somewhere else to store them. Remove anything from the kitchen that is not used on a regular basis.

2. Remove wallpaper and frilly curtains. Few things scream the 70s like over-the-top patterns. Removing wallpaper and wallpaper border and divesting the windows of curtains will provide an immediate update. Paint the walls a cool, soothing shade like dove gray or mocha.

3. Dress up the backsplash. A simple, inexpensive way to create a modern, cool-looking backsplash can be found at your local home improvement store. Peel-and-stick metal tiles are available in stainless steel and copper and give the room an instant pick up. They're available in traditional sizes like 3 inches by 6 inches, but they also come in a subway-tile shape for a more modern look.

4. Repaint your appliances. Appliance paint has improved a great deal over the last decade and is an easy way to provide your appliance with new life. It's as simple as cleaning and sanding the surfaces to which you want the paint to adhere, covering handles and hinges with masking tape, and spraying on the appliance paint.

5. Update the countertops. Ceramic tile is inexpensive and, with a little practice, easy to install. You can also install a concrete countertop at a fraction of the cost of natural stone or hire a service that applies a new finish over your existing countertops. It's a discounted way to create an entirely new look.

6. Paint or reface cabinets. If the cabinets are showing their age but still in good working order, give them new life by repainting them or having them refaced. Both projects take time but can save you thousands of dollars compared to buying new cabinets. Once you're done painting or refacing, update the entire look by replacing the existing cabinet hardware with something new.

7. Modernize flooring. Home improvement stores offer weekend classes in how to lay tile and wood floors. Either of these surfaces will instantly modernize your kitchen and can last for decades.

References

• San Diego Union-Tribune: Functional '70s Kitchen Looks Sleek and Modern After Overdue Makeover
• Surface Renew: Kitchen Countertops
• CNN: Three Cheap Ways to Make Your Old Kitchen Feel New