How to Renovate a Retro Kitchen
Kitchens are one of the most commonly renovated rooms in a home. Outdated cabinets, appliances and finishes can leave your kitchen looking old and tired. Whether you are a gourmet cook who needs a more accommodating environment or you simply want to bring your kitchen into the 21st century, learn how to renovate a retro kitchen without breaking the bank. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Update your appliances. Kitchen appliances including refrigerators and stoves are one of the main features that "date" a kitchen. While appliances from certain eras are charmingly retro when preserved in good condition, in most cases old appliances can make your kitchen look really outdated. Replacing appliances may be expensive, but it can give your kitchen quite a facelift, not to mention make dinnertime much easier. Choose stainless steel or classic white appliances to give your kitchen a more modern look.
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Refinish the cabinets. It's probably not necessary to rip out and replace your kitchen cabinets. With a little elbow grease, you can drastically change the look of your old cabinets. A simple paint job can cover dated wood-grain cabinets. Choose a bright and unexpected color such as aqua or red or stick with crisp white. If you cabinet doors have hopelessly outdated details, consider removing them completely for the look of open shelving.
One of the quickest ways to update your cabinets is by simply replacing the hardware. Brass pulls and hinges can look dingy, so replace them with brushed nickel for a clean look. Also consider installing under-cabinet lighting to brighten up the room.
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Replace the counter tops, one of the most visible surfaces in the kitchen. A stained laminate counter top screams 1950s. Depending on your budget, you can install a new tile, granite or butcher block counter top.
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Remove old wallpaper. Although wallpaper comes and goes in the world of design trends, old borders featuring chickens or a bold floral pattern that covers your walls can make your kitchen look a little bit country and lot less rock and roll. Replace the old paper with a modern, geometric pattern or simply paint the walls a solid color.
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Tips & Warnings
Many kitchen renovation projects are appropriate for do-it-yourselfers, but consider hiring a contractor for more complicated jobs.
If you are operating on a tight budget, focus on repainting the walls and cabinets and replacing the cabinet hardware. These changes make the biggest impact for the least amount of money.
