The cost savings of a DIY kitchen are compelling for many home renovators. But at the same time, many of us are still seeking that “expensive” look that signals that attention to detail and quality have still been taken into account.
The good news is that there are some particular tactics and tricks that you can use to achieve this “expensive” effect without having to dip too heavily back into the renovation budget.
Lighting fixtures
As far as “bang for your buck” goes, investing in some classy lighting fixtures are the go-to tactic for anyone wanting to incorporate a high-quality detail to any kitchen whether it’s DIY or custom-made. Statement lighting that incorporates things like copper-accented shades can lift any kitchen.
Other lighting features like bulbs with the filament exposed (the “glowing” kind) or a lighting feature that incorporates natural wood or an art-inspired feature shade can become an attention-grabbing feature that also gives off the desired “expensive” effect.
Decluttering
Kitchens are undoubtedly functional, liveable spaces, but if you want to give off the air of an expensive space, then decluttering is a cost-effective way to do it.
At its simplest, this means moving trinkets, fridge ornaments, and bills away from countertops and off the fridge. With a little more work, you can install more storage, drawer dividers, and back of the pantry hooks to take spoons, blenders, toasters, and other cooking utensils off countertops.
Minimalism ties in well with the perception of expense, and with these changes, in no time at all your home DIY kitchen will start looking like an expensive holiday home.
Tiles
Tiles can come in an array of styles, colours, and price points. Hexagon tiles and penny rounds can come in an array of shades and give any space a dramatic look.
Subway tiles, laid in unexpected ways, like on an angle or in a herringbone pattern can also make a make your kitchen look more high-end. And if you are really daring, consider pairing your tiles with a coloured grout that works well with your kitchen cabinets or benchtop.
Artwork
Most kitchens have a space on the wall that could fit a compact, well-chosen piece of art. This can be chosen to reflect the taste of the owner. A piece of retro advertising signage or artwork that ties into iconic Barbadian cooking or food brands (think WeetBix, Vegemite, Bushells or Cottee’s) can also be a good fit for a kitchen space.
Appliances
Appliances are often carried over from kitchen to kitchen and rarely replaced unless something breaks. However, to give the air of an expensive kitchen, a co-ordinated, modern set of appliances can do the job incredibly well. The upfront cost of replacing multiple appliances in a single step may seem high, but unlike other options that are purely chosen for style reasons, it should be remembered that these items get daily use, and paying for higher-quality options is rarely a poor investment.
Searching for appliances with accents that match other aspects of the kitchen, for example, copper or rose gold coloured handles or finishes that match the lighting fixtures, is a subtle but powerful way to reinforce the attention to detail taken to put together an expensive looking kitchen.
If you are interested in ways to design your DIY kitchen to make it look more expensive (without breaking the bank), then our staff would be more than happy to help. They are experienced in helping you choose the options that fit your budget and are located at three conveniently located stores in Preston, Maribyrnong, and Kilsyth, so drop in and let them know what you’d like to achieve so they can help you figure out how to do it!