5 Easy, Cheap Ways to Spice Up Your Kitchen Island
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Have you been wanting to freshen up your kitchen island? The island is the hub of the home just as the fireplace is the heart of the home. As a central gathering point for family and friends, it is an integral part of the home and can be used to add a fun pop to your kitchen. Whether its changing out the knobs and pulls, a fresh coat of paint, or a new light fixture, there are so many great ways to renew your kitchen island. Even with a low budget or minimal skills, here are five ways to completely change the look and feel.
Add a Wood Accent Area
I love the warm tones of wood and the texture of the grain. By using wood on the island so many things can be accomplished. If you have wood floors, also having a wood island can visually lighten the space. You can wrap the entire island in laminate or wood paneling to save money. You can do just one side, such as the side with bar stools, for a fun pop. If you have a rolling kitchen island or one in need of a new countertop you can buy premade wood tops, whether it is butcher block or live edge slabs. Perhaps you have a rental or a place you cannot or don’t want to change that much, then wood barstools or hanging wood shelving above the island is another great option. The warmth of wood makes a space seem inviting and has the amazing capabilities of being used in any design space, contemporary, transitional, mid century, anywhere!
Utilize Lighting Fixtures
Lighting is one of the best, and easiest, ways to define a space. In the kitchen it is important to have bright and effective lighting but that doesn’t mean it has to be ugly. When it comes to kitchen islands, there are two great ways to accomplish this.
- Pendant lights, a fixture that hangs from the ceiling, catches the eye and tells people that there is something important happening here. There are so many fun pendant options out there that can add a load of personality to your kitchen. They are able to the light the space effectively and they don’t take up any counter space.
- The second option is LED lighting. By running strips of LED under the counter tops or the bottom of upper cabinets you are able to effectively and evenly light the entire kitchen.
Create an Unique Centerpiece
I am always gonna advocate for adding plants throughout the home; however, I know that not everyone has good light in their kitchen or maybe doesn’t feel confident in their growing skills. This makes kitchens excellent places for a floral, grass or branch arrangement. They can be easily moved, altered and replaced and they add instant color and joy to a space. Branch cuttings are a great way to add height if you have tall ceilings or recess lighting. They also are an option in winter when you might not have easy access to fresh flowers. Pampas grass can be bought for year round flair if you don’t want to have to worry about watering or replacing florals. When choosing your vases I suggest using different shapes, colors and materials such as in the picture below, you can add a ton of visual interest to your island. You can also use vases to grow plants or propagate your cuttings. For additional depth use fruit in bowls or baskets or fun candle sticks and candles which you can change to fit the season or holiday.
Upgrade the Cabinet and Drawer Hardware
You would be amazed how much of a difference changing the drawer pulls and cabinet knobs makes on a room. This is also probably the easiest option and all it requires is a screwdriver. From Amazon to Etsy or your basic hardware store, pulls and knobs can be found everywhere and for reasonable prices. I love the trend of using leather as hardware or a combination of treatments like leather and brass or wood and brass. If your island does not have cabinets or drawers or you find the back of your island is visually plain, you can create dummy drawers and cabinets that give it more depth and connect the island to the rest of the kitchen.
Paint the Island a Different Color
One of the easiest ways to redefine a room is through paint. I recently repainted my living room and it feels like a different space. Think of painting the kitchen island the same as painting an accent wall, its a smaller item but can make a big difference. Using color adds interest with minimal costs and zero construction. I suggest a couple things when choosing your paint color.
Monochrome: Keep your kitchen in the same color family. If you cabinets are light blue then go with a darker tone and vice versa.
Contrast: White and black are popular colors for a kitchen. If your cabinets are white go with a black island or if your cabinets are black, go with a white island.
Pop of Color: I believe that adding a fun color really energizes a space. Since the island is already the hub of the home, why not also make it the focal point.
