5 Fast Ways Fashion Forward Your Kitchen | LifeStyle

SLH Home Editor :

For most people, the thought of updating their kitchen usually comes with no small amount of trepidation, since we think it requires major renovations, hiring a professional or spending a fortune on all new furniture. Certainly all those ideas would work, but as our editors found, you don’t always need big plans in order to make a huge difference. Let’s talk five great tips to help bring your kitchen together with some fresh style.

1-Update Your Hardware – We all know a great way to update an old look is to add on-trend jewelry. So think of your cabinets as the outfit and the cabinet hardware is your jewelry. What’s on-trend in cabinet hardware? Here’s a few great options that’ll give you a great bang for your buck

Shop This Look : Top Knobs SS117 Mushroom Cabinet Knob Polished Stainless $10.35 each, Top Knobs SS2 Solid 3 Inch Center Bar Cabinet Pull Stainless Steel $9.23 each, Kohler Vibrant Moderne Brushed Gold Mushroom Cabinet Knob $12.71 each, Atlas Homewares 293 Sutton Place 7-9/16 Inch Center to Center Handle Cabinet Pull French Gold $21.20 each

Shop This Look : Brainerd 35mm Paisley Knob, Brushed Satin Pewter $5.00 each, Antique Pewter Trevi 1-1/2 Inch Center to Center Cup Cabinet Pull $6.93 each, Antique Copper Somerset 3 Inch Center to Center Cup Cabinet Pull $18.27 each, Antique Copper Empress 1-1/4 Inch Diameter Mushroom Cabinet Knob from the Britannia Series $12.78 each

Shop This Look : Top Knobs Flat Black Quilted 1-1/4 Inch Square Cabinet Knob from the Mercer Series – 10 Pack $62.10, Oil Rubbed Bronze Cup 4 Inch Center to Center Cup Cabinet Pull $10.80 each, Windover Antique Craftsman 3-3/4 Inch Center to Center Cup Cabinet Pull $7.04 each, Black Iron Mountain Lodge 1-3/8 Inch Diameter Mushroom Cabinet Knob $6.57 each

2 – Add a Rug – Kitchen area rugs are super on trend right now. And talk about instant gratification! With zero tool-time required, it’s a great way to add a stylish statement piece to your kitchen. Take a cue of inspiration from the colors already in your kitchen, or go for a contrasting pop of color that draws the eye. A few quick rules to keep in mind : first, look for low pile height to avoid tripping (kitchens are a high traffic zone), second, make sure to get a good quality anti-slip pad to put underneath, and third, look for options with flame and stain resistant properties to combat any dreaded spaghetti sauce or falling hot pot incidents. Here are some color designs that are very hot (in a good way)

Shop This Look : Nourison Abstract Print Runner Rug 2’6″x8′ $69.99, Nourison Modern Print Runner Rug 2’x5’9″ $49.99, Design Within Reach Palani Kilim Runner 2’5″x6′ $245.00, Pemberly Row 1’10” x 7’6″ Machine Woven Runner Rug $96.99

Shop This Look : Nourison Medallion Print Runner Rug 2’3″x7’6″ $84.99, Floral Print Runner Rug 2’6″x8′ $69.99, Couristan Amelie Rug 3’6″x5’6″ $94.99, Filigree Print Runner Rug 2’3″x8′ $74.99

Shop This Look : Nourison Graphic Print Runner Rug 2’3″x7’6″ $89.99, Bealls Caribbean Rug 3’11″x5’11” $89.99, Enhance Rug in Paprika 4’x6′ $129.99, Chandra Rug in Yellow/Cream 3’x8′ $488.00

3- Change Out the Faucets – Okay, agreed this one will require some DIY’ing but as first time projects go, this is a pretty easy one. Definitely make sure you shut off the water valves and follow the directions carefully. There are plenty of video tutorials out there, but we like this one from Lowe’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEB_QoXJS1k or if you’re still feeling nervous, we recommend hitting up a site like HomeAdvisor (https://www.homeadvisor.com) to find a plumber in your area who can do the job quickly and efficiently for you. Cost should usually range between $150 to $350 depending on the complexity of your sink (ie – built in soap dispenser, potential new hole installations, etc). Here are some great 2018 sink styles you might like

Shop This Look : Grohe 30 313 LadyLux Cafe Pull-Down Spray Kitchen Faucet w/Foot Control in SuperSteel $664.30, Brizo Single Handle Pull Down Kitchen Faucet in Luxe Gold $606.24

Shop This Look : Antique Copper Vintage III Kitchen Faucet w/Dual Lever Handles & Solid Brass Side Spray $693.39, Waterstone 5500 Annapolis Pull Out Spray High-Arc Kitchen Faucet Antique Pewter $1,634.25

Shop This Look : Miseno MK381 Donya Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet w/Magnetic Docking Multi-Flow Spr Oil Rubbed Bronze $219.95, Brizo 63243LF Litze Single Handle Articulating Kitchen Faucet with Knurled Handl Matte Black $725.76

4- Upstyle your Curtains – Like updating your cabinet hardware, this is a great project requiring few, if any, tools. If you just want to replace the curtains, taking down the current and adding on the new is a snap. But honestly…since you’re up there already, why not go the extra mile and update the Rod Brackets and Finials (aka the knob pieces on the end of the rod holding your curtains)? Added bonus – be sure to buy your new curtain rod package in the same length as your current and you might not even have to put new holes in your walls. Plus if you choose a metal style matching your cabinet hardware color you’ve immediately created a well composed look for your kitchen. Here are some trending colors and patterns to play with

Shop This Look : Bamboo Ring Tab Tier $21.99, CHF Destinations Basket Drapery Rod Set 35″ – 66″ $39.99, Deer Blossom Window Curtains, 2-Piece Set, 40″x52″ $60.72

Shop This Look : Boucle Kitchen Curtain $6.99 , Faux Wood Knob Curtain Rod Set 28″ – 48″ $12.99, Black Shapes Window Curtains, 2-Piece Set, 40″x52″ $60.72

Shop This Look : Floral Doodle Pink 1 Window Curtains, 2-Piece Set, 20″x52″ $78.32, Nanette Lepore Acrylic Finial Curtain Rod Set 28″ – 48″ $13.99, DiaNoche Unlined Window Curtains – Retro Movement 40″x52″ $60.72

5 – Analyze & Accessorize – When you take a good look around at the appliances and accessories on your counter tops, ask yourself “Are they complementary to your kitchen space”? Or does your space look more like a hodgepodge of different metals and styles? Or maybe, well, no style at all? We’re not suggesting you throw out everything and start new, but a great way to pull any room together is to create good color placement. That means that in addition to your main color you should try to focus on a secondary color at least three times in a way that leads your eye around the room. Let’s say your cabinet’s main color is white and you have dark countertops. A great way to create accent to your space is to choose a nice bright color that you want to showcase, like turquoise, yellow, orange or red. Then choose at least three items in that matching color and purposely place them on display on your counter tops. You can do the same using metals as well. Copper and gold for instance are very popular metal choices for kitchens, so why not collaborate on several pieces in the same metal tone? Here are some inspirations from our editors