There are a number of ways to brighten up a kitchen even with a limited budget. A dark, drab kitchen can make cooking a depressing event, but with a few creative ideas, you can transform your kitchen from dreary to cheery. Best of all, you don’t have to do an entire kitchen remodel to see significant improvement.

Tips to Brighten Up Your Kitchen

If your kitchen feels dark, small, and cramped, here are three easy ways to brighten up your kitchen:

1. Paint the entire kitchen white

Painting the walls, ceiling, countertops, cabinets, tile, and appliances white can significantly brighten up a space. In addition, white creates a clean fresh look and is a popular design choice for new and existing homes. You can also add a splash of color with accents to provide contrast to the white paint.

There are dozens of Sherwin Williams white colors to choose from. If you are easily overwhelmed by the number of choices, you can instead select White Dove by Benjamin Moore if your kitchen has lots of light or Simply White by Benjamin Moore for a darker kitchen.

2. Change up the kitchen lighting

One of the simplest ways to brighten up a kitchen is to add more light. One option is to purchase light bulbs and tube lights that have a higher wattage. This can be an easy way to add light and is very inexpensive.

When looking at lighting you will want to take advantage of your windows in the kitchen. You can do this by making sure the windows aren’t blocked by any window treatments. If you use curtains, make sure to use sheer curtains instead of dark ones. The more natural light you can use in your kitchen, the more open it will feel.

You will also want to make sure you have proper lighting fixtures on the walls and ceiling to ensure that the light is spread throughout the kitchen. Other lighting options include installing pendant lamps, flush-mount ceiling lamps, or even recessed lighting or track lights.

Installing recessed lighting in your kitchen can change the entire feel of the space. Recessed lights are tucked into the ceiling, so they are not in the line of sight. Another lighting option is to install lights in front of your upper cabinets. This allows you to take advantage of as much light as possible. Lights should be installed where they are most needed, like above the sink and food prep areas. Under-cabinet lighting can create a warm glow throughout the kitchen.

3. Install mirrors around the space

One of the oldest and most basic decorating tricks is to use mirrors to reflect light. This creates a feeling of more light and space. Make sure to select a mirror that matches your kitchen décor and hang it opposite a window or across from the biggest source of light in the kitchen so it can reflect the maximum amount of light.

You can also use reflective surfaces such as stainless steel appliances. Using reflective décor, appliances, and other components helps light travel throughout the kitchen, and the space will quickly feel more cheerful and pleasant to be in.

Expert Help to Improve Your Kitchen

When homeowners ask questions about how to brighten up a kitchen there are endless options, but these simple suggestions can give you a lot of bang for your buck. It is important to use an experienced, well-qualified team to help remodel or brighten up your kitchen. Our team at Modern Blu is ready to help. Give us a call at 469-546-7636 or contact us online to schedule an appointment if you are in the Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville areas.