5 Easy Transformations for the Kitchen and Bathroom

5 Easy Transformations for the Kitchen and Bathroom

The changing of the seasons is a great excuse to refresh your kitchen and bathroom. And sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. Here, we bring you some easy and budget-friendly ideas for transforming your kitchen and bathroom. From hanging gardens to repurposed furniture, this guide will have your home looking fresh, clean and revitalised just in time for autumn.

1. Summer garden

Summer is on its last legs, but don’t let that deter you from updating your kitchen before the cooler temperatures take over. Clear away those clunky pot plants taking up space on the kitchen bench and give them new life. A vertical or hanging herb garden will not only look extremely stylish, it will also give you access to seasonal herbs all year round, and maximise space utilisation in your kitchen.

DIY plant hangers

A DIY hanger can be built with materials that, if you don’t already have around the home, you can source easily and relatively cheaply. Here are some fun DIY hangers to choose from:

Vertical garden

This one will take time to assemble, but don’t let that turn you off. This vertical garden uses repurposed IKEA storage boxes. The brainchild of architect and designer Antonio Scarponi, the ELIOOOguide instructs gardeners to create indoor hydroponic farms using storage containers. Scarponi has devised six different indoor gardens, ranging in size from small kitchen designs to large mobile frames.

If a DIY vertical garden is not for you, don’t worry! Vertical frames are available at most nurseries and hardware stores – you’ll just need to research the right one for your kitchen.

If you’re looking for a more sophisticated kitchen, a vertical or hanging garden will transform your space into a thriving, trendy, and lively hub – with the added bonus of providing you with fresh herbs all year round.

2. Upcycle Autumn

Renovating your kitchen or bathroom doesn’t always have to involve throwing everything out and starting all over again. Upcycling involves converting old, unused, or discarded materials and objects into new, practical and stylish pieces for your home.

Almost anything can be repurposed, which means there are no limits when it comes to upcycling. All you need is creativity, motivation and some handy bits and pieces lying about. For example, here are two simple upcycle projects for your bathroom and kitchen.

Old dresser or cabinet

Old dresser or cabinet

Image via Planet Save

If you have an old dresser or cabinet lying around collecting dust, why not turn it into a modified kitchen island or bathroom cabinet? Not only will the extra drawer space help you organise your cooking utensils, tableware, linen, bathroom products etc., but you will stop wasting space with a cumbersome piece of furniture lying around in your garage or spare bedroom. It’s a good idea to sand down old wooden furniture before applying a lick of paint to bring it back to life, and you could also consider adding new handles or even cutting out a recess for a sink to be installed.

Lighting

Lighting

Image via Upcycle That

Do you have any old lamp shades or pendant lights that you’ve thrown by the wayside? This upcycling project involves creating trendy contemporary wire lights perfect for an industrial or modern feel in the kitchen. Even though these instructions are specifically for pendant lights, they can be easily repurposed for table or floor lamps as well.

3. Add colour

If upcycling isn’t your thing, there are certainly other ways you can tidy up your bathroom or kitchen, without having to spend a lot of money or hiring expert help. One of the simplest ways to make a room look and feel fresh is to give it a new paint job. Here, we guide you through the most effective ways to transform a space using nothing but a paintbrush.

Light or dark

It’s important to understand how colours can affect the size, shape and vibe of a room. The general rule is that light colours make a space feel larger and brighter, while dark colours make rooms feel more intimate and confined. Other elements to consider include:

  • Lighter ceilings will make walls appear taller.
  • Darker ceilings will make a room appear smaller and cosier.
  • Colour affects your mood. For example, yellow will make you feel energised and uplifted.

Another way to add a splash of freshness – without going overboard – is to add a pop of bright colour to the inside of cabinets or along mirror frames. This is particularly useful in bathrooms and kitchens, where it will add a colourful accent to the room, without being overwhelming.

 60-30-10 rule

The  60-30-10 rule applies for interior spaces, and suggests that you breakdown the colour scheme of a room into:

  • 60% dominant colour
  • 30% secondary hue
  • 10% accent colour

Using this ratio you should be able to create a balanced colour scheme for your bathroom or kitchen that won’t leave you with overpowering or off-balance walls.

4. Spring storage

Finding the right storage solution for your bathroom or kitchen can be tricky, but minimising mess is one of the most effective ways to transform a kitchen or bathroom space. Here are some creative ways to boost storage space, that will suit any home.

1.  If you’ve recently renovated your home, consider reclaiming the leftover scrap wood and transforming it into rustic indoor shelving. Make a spice rack for the kitchen, or give the wood a waterproofing treatment so you can add some shelving to your shower recess, or next to the bath for shampoos and soaps. Leftover scrap wood can also be sourced at demolition sites, old estate sales, and on council throw-out days.

2. Find some industrial or rustic style wooden crates or tea chests, and refurbish them to make stylish kitchen cabinets, a dirty-clothes basket for the bathroom, or even potato containers for the pantry.

3. Use scrap wood or purchase some from the local hardware store, and you can create internal shelves or racks that are situated inside cupboard doors – helping you maximise on free space in your kitchen or bathroom.

4. Kill two birds with one stone, and transform a full length mirror into a hidden cupboard in your bathroom.

If you’ve got the handyman skills to do these designs yourself, great! If not, a professional will need to come in and install them for you. This can be pricey, but the storage benefits will make up for it.

5. Splashbacks

Complement your new-look kitchen or bathroom with a DecoGlaze splashback. They are available in a variety of exclusive colours – perfect to fulfill the 60/30/10 rule – and can also be custom-made to display an image with UV glass printing. DecoGlaze glass splashbacks for the bathroom or kitchen are easy to clean, and they do not require grouting. To learn more about what we can do for your bathroom or kitchen, check out our great range of splashbacks here.

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