Creating a kitchen that sizzles

If you're thinking of putting your home on the market, it's important to make sure that your kitchen looks as good as it possibly can. If you have no plans to sell your home, you still want a kitchen that's as attractive and functional as possible. Jawitz Properties takes a look at some affordable ways to get your kitchen looking great. The keys to a budget-friendly kitchen revamp are reinventing rather than replacing, getting creative and thinking carefully about colour.

Smart ways to keep your revamp affordable

The golden rule for an affordable kitchen revamp is avoiding the need to move plumbing and drainage outlets. As soon as you start moving drains and sinks, the cost of your kitchen revamp rises exponentially. There are loads of more efficient ways to change the layout of your kitchen. For example, if space allows, you can add a kitchen island or a breakfast nook. If your sink is looking tired, bear in mind that it's far more affordable to replace it than to move it.

Reinventing rather than replacing

Are your cabinets really looking tired, or is it just the cabinet doors? While replacing entire cabinets can be a big job, repainting or replacing the cabinet doors can be a weekend project. You might be surprised at the impact something as simple as new doorknobs can have. Another idea is to remove the cabinet doors completely and allow the crockery inside to be a focal point of your kitchen. With some imagination and a smart colour scheme, your crockery can become a showpiece.

Get creative

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then it's surely the place where the family's creativity should be showcased. A chalkboard cupboard (created with reasonably priced chalkboard paint) is a great place to create a shopping list and to keep the kids entertained while they're keeping you company in the kitchen. Another great way to use chalkboard paint is to create labels for shelves in your grocery cupboard. It looks cute and it'll help you stay organised. An additional creative and practical kitchen idea is to print some of your favourite recipes, put them in frames and hang them on a wall in your kitchen.

Since installing cabinets is one of the most expensive elements of a kitchen overhaul, consider freestanding floating shelves as an alternative. These can be used to store anything from crockery and glasses to groceries - just make sure you're aware of the loadbearing capabilities of your shelf and don't overburden it.

Think carefully about colours

Give the heart of your home a warm ambience by bringing in metallic finishes like copper, rose gold and bronze. These hues can be introduced by anything from a new kettle to a spoon holder. If your kitchen is a bit dark, introduce some pops of bright colour or white accents. A simple chunky photo frame or an assortment of tea towels can be all that's needed. If a more serious colour overhaul is required, you can consider painting your kitchen cabinets.

3 tips for a smooth kitchen revamp

• Steer clear of trends that are likely to date quickly and use neutral colours and finishes to create a kitchen that will last the test of time.
• Keep some money aside in your budget for unforeseen expenses so that you can do the job once and do it properly.
• Make sure that the sink, stove and fridge are logically placed. These are your kitchen's busiest areas, and according to kitchen designers, the three should be placed to create a triangle.

If you're not sure whether a kitchen revamp will increase the value of your property, help is at hand. Contact the Jawitz Properties team and allow us to give a professional valuation of your kitchen and your home.