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Easy upgrades that will go a long way towards making you feel more organized in your kitchen.

get creative with chalk paint

Think beyond black. Chalk paint is now available in almost any color. Prepare to write your shopping list directly on your walls!

paint the kitchen cabinets

A makeover doesn’t necessarily mean replacing those gloomy cabinets. You can clean them up and brush on some new paint—and within a weekend take that kitchen from dreary to sunny.

cabinet hardware update

It’s easy to overlook cabinet handles when you’re remodeling your kitchen or building a new home. After all, they’re fairly small, easy to install, and don’t cost as much as, say, a refrigerator or new cabinets. Nevertheless, cabinet handles and knobs can make a big difference in the look of your kitchen. You use your cabinet hardware dozens of times a day, and while hardware like cabinet hinges are not highly visible, kitchen cabinet handles are high profile and can add to or detract from the look of your kitchen, depending on how carefully you choose your kitchen cabinet knobs and handles.

Pro Tip:

Brass handles feel less kitchen-y than stainless.

install a glass mosaic tile backsplash

DIY-friendly sheet tiles can transform a plain kitchen wall into something special. And the subtle color variations of translucent glass mosaic tile offer a rich look that makes this area a real eye-catcher in your kitchen.

Tile: 

Mosaic tile sheet in Ash, eco-friendly flooring (866) 250-3273 for stores

Grout:

TruColor premixed grout in Alabaster by Bostik

glass cabinets

Install cabinet doors with windows to help add depth to your walls and trick the eye into thinking your kitchen is bigger than it really is. We do, however, recommend wavy or frosted glass for hiding messy shelves. For the daring, opt for clear glass-front cabinets if you’re prepared to keep your kitchen shelves uncluttered.

clear the clutter

A clean refrigerator, free of photos and notices—opens up the room. If you need reminders, keep a pad of paper for notes to yourself in a drawer you use often, then you will read it each time to open the drawer, but it is not on display for everyone to see.