Kitchen refresh: Under $1,000

 

Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to cost the earth. A few clever tweaks can go a long way in making your kitchen look and feel refreshed. Here Shelley Ferguson’s weekend once-over tips.

Looking to overhaul your kitchen? Read Shelley Ferguson’s under $15,000 or $30,000+ dream kitchen renovation guides here.
 

THE WEEKEND ONCE-OVER
Cost $0-$1,000
 

 

 

Sort it out

A good weekend clean and organise can make you feel like you have a new kitchen. Start with the drawers, and then move on to the cupboards, pantry and fridge. Take each item out and have a quick moment together – if you don’t like it, don’t need it or don’t use it, get rid of it.

Clean all the surfaces, and as you go consider if each zone could be reconfigured in a more space-savvy way. Could you add an extra shelf? Mount a knife rack on the wall? Relocate the junk drawer? When putting everything back, store things in relation to where and how often you use them.

Buy streamlined containers, drawer organisers and canisters to store things in a way that suits your kitchen habits. The finished result will make you feel surprisingly good!
 

 

 

Artful storage

The exposed storage trend is perfect for people who want to add impact by having styled objects on display.

Floating shelves, cupboards without doors, baker’s racks, spice racks, open bookcases and hanging racks for utensils are all functional yet interesting storage solutions, many of which can be temporary or upcycled – perfect for rentals.

 

 

 

Put it out there

Sometimes a kitchen refresh is as simple as a rethink. Does your kitchen reflect you? If the answer is no, a sprinkling of strategically-placed personal items could inject some energy.

Are there any treasured items you’d love to have on display, such as Nana’s crystal, ceramics, pottery or your favourite cookbooks? They’ll make you smile every time you look at them.

Add new canisters, a jug and toaster, tea towels, a candle or diffuser, potted plants and fresh flowers that tie into the theme.

 

 

 

GET THE LOOK

Scandi Cool
 

Macaubus Delicato benchtop from Italianstone.co.nz
Bestwood melamine Mist Grey velvet cabinetry from bestwood.co.nz
American Standard Portico sink mixer from Mitre10.co.nz
MosaicFX Hexagon Carrara marble tiles from tilemax.co.nz
Prime Melamine cabinetry in Pale Maple from primepanels.co.nz
Kaikoura white Ecogranit stone sink from appliance-smart.co.nz
Katalog recessed cabinet handles from Sopers Macindoe, sopersmac.co.nz

Images: property of Bauer Media