Give Your Kitchen New Life in No Time

KSI designer shares ideas for freshening up the look of your kitchen with just accessories like servingware, artwork and chairs.

Easy Updates
This transitional kitchen in Atlanta was designed to stand the test of time. Thanks to some versatile choices, it also offers opportunities to change things up with minimal effort to create fresh, new looks for years to come.

Utilize Art
Although it may not be an obvious choice, art above a kitchen hood is an excellent way to bring a new vibe into the space with a simple swapout. Here, the hood juts out 10 inches from the wall, allowing it to also serve double duty as a shelf.

Switch It Up
Glass-front upper cabinets offer the chance to put cherished objects or decorative items on display. By simply changing out those items every few years, you can easily add a brand new look to the kitchen without any commitment involved.

Hardworking Table
If you’re looking to only design your kitchen and dining area once, try to stick with the classics whenever possible. Just steps from the kitchen island is the family command center which involves homework, checking email, gathering for meals and playing games. The key design element here is the ebony farmhouse table which is sturdy, timeless and extremely versatile, so much so that it can be paired with virtually any style lighting or seating and work seamlessly.

Versatile Chairs
Kitchens used by active families are not often the best fit for formal seating options. When selecting seating for a heavily lived-in kitchen or breakfast area, consider those made with forgiving materials that are easy to wash but also comfortable to sit in. These woven S-shaped rattan chairs are versatile enough to work in almost any other room in the house — even outside — which means they can simply be moved to another space later on.

Neutral Backdrop
Kitchen design and remodeling is often the most costly part of any home project. To get the most bang for your bucket, aim to keep the most permanent elements neutral and versatile. Add your own personal flair with decorative accents that are easy to move around or change out such as accessories, stools and practical items like flower pots and vessels.

Play Up the Architecture
If you’ve grown tired of your kitchen but don’t want to invest in new cabinetry or countertop surfaces, consider playing with interior architecture. In this kitchen, ceiling beams were added in a bleached wood to bring warmth to the space and introduce rustic texture.

Make It Work
Since most newer homes these days have open concept floor plans, it’s common to keep workspaces communal. If you have a portion of countertop space that doesn’t get a lot of use, simply add a counter-height stool or chair to instantly turn it into a casual work area.

Handy Hardware
No major DIY skills are required for this simple update. Switch out your drawer pulls and knobs for an instant and oh-so-easy change. Make note of the size of the current pulls to ensure there’s no need for drilling any new holes with the replacements.

Open Shelving Opportunities
Open shelving in a kitchen creates endless possibilities for switching up what you’re displaying. During the warmer months when entertaining outside is frequent, this kitchen keeps a lot of its servingware out and on display. In the colder months and during the holiday season, it can be used as a festive hub for decor.

Out of Reach
Smart solutions should grow with you and your kitchen. If you have little ones eager to open lower cabinets and raid pantries, be sure to keep more breakable items high up. Here, the collectible ceramics and one-of-a-kind items are kept on upper shelves and out of the reach of curious little hands.

Paint It White
Consider painting your kitchen cabinets white for a bright upgrade that you won’t have to rethink every few years. A true ultra-white with a wipeable finish is so classic and timeless, it’s something homeowners rarely regret later.