Five Cures for Ugly Kitchen Designs

Just because you have an ugly kitchen doesn’t mean you have to leave it that way. There are plenty of quick fixes that can spruce up the space, either for your own enjoyment or for resale value, without breaking the bank. From kitchen cabinets and flooring to cabinet fixtures and lighting, there’s always a solution to banish the ugly kitchen and create a pleasant workspace.

Ugly Kitchen Problem #1: Fluorescent Ceiling Fixtures
Fluorescent ceiling fixtures are just plain awful. They don’t illuminate well and turn everything in the kitchen a slight yellow. Instead, for an economical option, remove fluorescent fixtures and install a ceiling fan with lights. This will create better lighting in the kitchen and help keep the air circulating and fresh. Ceiling fans are also a fantastic option for going “green” as they help reduce heating and cooling costs. Other ideas are to install track and undercounter lighting, and install some hanging pendants above an island or work area, and a ceiling light or two in other areas of the kitchen.

Ugly Kitchen Issue #2 – Terrible Paint Colors
If you bought the house from someone else, you may find that the kitchen has been left in a throwback 1970s state. With green walls, yellow curtains, and brown cabinets, you feel like you could become Mrs. Brady in any moment. Do not despair. Painting is one of the easiest ways to quickly and easily transform the look of your kitchen. Pull down the curtains first and find a paint color you enjoy for the kitchen walls. You can paint the walls white or enjoy a light yellow hue for a cheery appeal. If ugly kitchen cabinets are worth saving, you may decide to simply resurface the cabinet fronts or paint the cabinets a more attractive white, black, or tan.

Ugly Kitchen Issue #3 – Outdated Cabinet Hardware
Now this is one of the easiest ugly kitchen problems to remedy. If your current cabinet pulls or knobs are unseemly, simply remove them from the cabinets and find something more attractive! Take into account the existing size of the handle or knob and for an easier renovation job, install the new cabinet hardware with the same drilling center. Pewter hardware is often a great choice, as it matches most cabinet doors, doesn’t tarnish, and actually looks even more beautiful with continued handling. Find cabinet hardware sales online and buy in bulk.

Ugly Kitchen Number 4 – Old kitchen cabinets
Maybe you’ve inherited a kitchen table and chair set from the 1950s that is falling apart and hard on the eyes. You have a few options with this piece of furniture. You can certainly throw it away and declare that everyone will eat at the dining room table from now on. If the piece of furniture is made of wood, why not have fun painting it? Paint each chair a different, vibrant color and then paint the table a combination of these various shades. If you just can’t keep this set (or don’t want to), but want something else in the kitchen, you have a few options. Start going to garage sales and looking for a kitchen set that you enjoy. Buy a kitchen island that has room to eat. Or save up for the kitchen table of your dreams.

Ugly Kitchen Issue $5 – Breaking the Kitchen Floor
Many people try to ignore their ugly kitchen floor for as long as possible as it is quite expensive to replace the floor. However, if you have crappy ceramic tile from the 1980s, or linoleum that is crying out for repair, it’s time to consider new flooring options. If you have the money, hardwood floors are a beautiful option and will stay relatively clean without too much care. Cork is an interesting option as it is cheaper than hardware and can be a DIY project. Today, there are also many laminate flooring options that are affordable, easy to clean, and beautiful to look at. Select something that will last for years of use, is easy to clean, and fits your family’s specific needs.

While these are just a few of the many ugly kitchen dilemmas we all face at some point, they should help pave the way to a much more attractive kitchen space. Even if you only have the time and money to paint the kitchen and some new cabinets, you’ll be amazed at the difference a few key changes can make.