Five Cures For Ugly Kitchen Designs

!±8± Five Cures For Ugly Kitchen Designs

Just because you have an ugly kitchen doesn't mean that you have to leave it that way. There are many quick fixes that can spruce up the space - either for your own enjoyment or for resale value - without breaking the bank. From kitchen cabinets and flooring to cabinet hardware and lighting, there is always a solution to banish the ugly kitchen and to create a working, enjoyable space.

Ugly Kitchen Issue #1 - Fluorescent Ceiling Fixtures
Fluorescent ceiling fixtures are simply ghastly. They don't light well and they make everything in the kitchen turn a slight shade of yellow. Rather, for an inexpensive option, take down the fluorescent fixtures and install a ceiling fan with lights. This will create better lighting in the kitchen, and will help to keep the air circulating and fresh. Ceiling fans are also a fantastic option for going "green" as they help to cut down on heating and air conditioning costs. Other ideas are to install track lighting and under the counter lighting, and to install a few hanging pendants over an island or work area, and a ceiling light or two in other areas of the kitchen.

Ugly Kitchen Issue #2 - Terrible Paint Colors
If you've purchased the home from someone else, you might find the kitchen has been left in a 1970s throw-back state. With green walls, yellow curtains and brown cabinets, you feel like you might turn into Mrs. Brady at any minute. Don't despair. Painting is one of the easiest ways to quickly and easily transform the look of the kitchen. Tear down the curtains, first of all, and find a paint color that you enjoy for the kitchen walls. You can paint the walls white, or enjoy a light yellow hue for a cheery appeal. If the ugly kitchen cabinets are worth saving, you might decide to simply reface the cabinet fronts, or to paint the cabinets a more appealing white, black or light brown.

Ugly Kitchen Issue #3 - Outdated Cabinet Hardware
Now, this is one of the easiest ugly kitchen issues to remedy. If the present cabinet pulls or knobs are unseemly, simply remove them from the cabinets and find something more appealing! Keep in mind the existing pull or knob size and, for the easiest make-over job, install new cabinet hardware with the same drill center. Pewter hardware is often a great choice, as it matches with most cabinet doors, it doesn't tarnish, and it actually looks even more lovely with continued handling. Look for cabinet hardware sales online, and buy in bulk.

Ugly Kitchen Issue #4 - Old Kitchen Furniture
Perhaps you've inherited a kitchen table and chairs set from the 1950s that is falling apart and hard on the eyes. You have a few options with this furniture. Certainly, you can throw it in the junk pile and declare that everyone will eat at the dining room table from now on. If the furniture is wood, why not have fun painting it? Paint each chair a different, vibrant color and then paint the table with a combination of these various hues. If you simply can't salvage this set (or don't want to), but you want something else in the kitchen, you have a few options. Start going to garage sales and looking for a kitchen set that you'll enjoy. Purchase a kitchen island that has room to eat at it. Or, save up for that kitchen table of your dreams.

Ugly Kitchen Issue - Breaking Kitchen Flooring
Many people try to ignore their ugly kitchen flooring for as long as possible, since it is quite expensive to replace the flooring. However, if you have awful ceramic tiles circa 1980, or linoleum that is screaming to be repaired, it's time to consider new flooring options. If you have the money, hardwood floors are a beautiful choice, and one that will stay relatively clean without too much care. Cork is an interesting option, as it's cheaper than hardware and can be a DIY project. Today, there are also many laminate flooring options that are inexpensive, easy to clean and cute to look at. Select something that will last for years of use, that is easy to clean and that will fit your specific family's needs.

While these are but a few of the many ugly kitchen dilemmas that we all face at some point, they should help to pave the way to a much more attractive kitchen space. Even if you only have the time and money to give the kitchen a paint job and some new cabinet pulls, you'll be amazed by the difference that a few key changes can make.