6 Tricks That Immediately Make Your Kitchen Look Expensive, According to Designers

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Coordinating and designing a room like a kitchen can be a challenge, but it's especially the case with a kitchen.

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For the insider's scoop, we asked interior designers how to give a kitchen an upscale look without the big price tag. Your confidence is safe with us - your secret's staying with us.

Repaint With Timeless Colors

As long as you choose a color that is deep, medium or light, such as a deep red or a neutral beige.

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Consider a midnight blue or forest green for a vibrant kitchen backsplash or sophisticated cabinets. Or, stick to timeless shades of gray, white, black, or beige for a neutral backdrop. Add warm wood undertones to layer rustic texture throughout your kitchen's design.

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Don't Overlook Your Window Treatments

A bare window can give a blank look, but one with window treatments has a more refined appearance. Window treatments offer privacy, block sunlight, and give a space a more luxurious ambiance, making even a kitchen look high-end.

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“Window coverings, especially curtains, can add the final touch that makes a room feel perfectly finished,” she says.

Elevate Your Cabinets to the Ceiling

First, update the cabinets. A brand new coat of paint is the essential first step in breathing new life into them. Next, a clever visual trick makes them appear high-end: extending the cabinet height all the way to the ceiling.

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There are several ways to deal with the commonly awkward (and dusty) area between the top of cabinets and the ceiling. To address this issue, you can use simple trim, install a second row of cabinets, or try out Phillips's suggestion, which is to add decorative crown molding.

Replace Cabinet Hardware

A worn-out drawer pull is a dead giveaway that your kitchen needs some updating. Luckily, there's a simple and budget-friendly solution. Replacing hardware is a straightforward task that can be completed by anyone, regardless of DIY experience, and won't break the bank.

"For a luxurious or high-end look in the kitchen, consider making simple yet impactful upgrades like replacing the cabinet hardware with modern and sleek options, adding a touch of sophistication," Kelly notes.

Don't forget to replace the hinges as well, if they are visible.

According to Dawson, "For fixtures and hardware," finishes are likely sticking around for a long time, even with stainless steel appliances on the market.

Swap Out Generic Lighting

Making your kitchen's lighting more attractive is a surefire way to increase its value. Picking a vintage-style sconce for a charming look or a sleek pendant for a more understated elegance will definitely do the trick.

"Swapping out ordinary island pendants for tailored fixtures to fit the island, plus under cabinetry lighting, really adds a lot of visual punch," Phillips says.

Don't overlook the lighting aspects in your kitchen that aren't as obvious. Kelly advises adding a touch of luxury with understated or discreet lighting, such as low-profile or hidden lighting. This will enhance the ambiance while also making tasks easier and providing additional illumination when you're craving a late-night snack.

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If your kitchen features an island, one way to give the area a more upscale appearance is by painting the base. Avoid rummaging through your nearly empty paint cans, and also refrain from matching the island's color to your cabinets.

Dawson recommends selecting a darker color for your island than you currently have for your cabinets; that way, the island will have some nice contrast.

“Of course, it looks like a kitchen specifically designed, which people naturally assume is quite expensive.”