3 Simple Ways to Give Your Older Kitchen a More Contemporary Look

There are a lot of cliches that apply to kitchens and most of them hold true. The concept of kitchens as the heart of the home and the idea that kitchens sell houses are both two that are relevant and important to consider when updating features.

Kitchens renovations are also one of the largest and most expensive home improvement projects to undertake. Fortunately, in many older kitchens, a complete remodel isn't necessary to give the room a fresh and more modern look. Here are three simple, inexpensive and fairly fuss-free ways that you can give your older kitchen a contemporary update.

1. Replace the splashback

Your kitchen splashback may not be a large feature but it can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of the room. Replacing dated and old-fashioned tiles with a more modern material is an effective and fast way to update the space. It's also fairly easy to complete and your contractor can do it with minimal disruption and mess.

If you want to go contemporary, consider a glass splashback. It's bright and reflective and will help to make your kitchen feel lighter and more spacious. Metal is another stylish and contemporary option for your splashback. Metals such as brass, copper and rose gold are all popular in current interior design trends.

2. Revamp your cabinets

If your existing kitchen cabinets are dated but in otherwise good condition, revamping them will give your kitchen a simple yet striking modern makeover.  The cabinets are the largest surface area of the kitchen, so this is an excellent way to give the room a completely new and more modern base.

Painting the doors is the first step. Make sure you choose a paint that is suited for use in kitchens that will withstand heat variations and exposure to moisture. Depending on the existing surface of the cabinet doors, you may need to use a primer coat to ensure the paint adheres properly. Next, replace the old door knobs with sleek, modern versions to complete the new look.

3. Add new lighting

Updating the lighting in your kitchen is another way to add some contemporary style. Your new lighting should not only work to better illuminate the room, it should also become a stylish and eye-catching focal piece of your kitchen.

Pendant lighting in the kitchen is huge right now. They're a great way to create intimate lighting over an island bench and look like a decorative hanging sculpture. Adding strips of lighting along the skirting boards or along the underside of wall cabinets will also add a more modern look to your kitchen.