Brighten Your Kitchen

source: Kitchen Remodel Ideas

The kitchen is truly the hub of the home for many of us - a multi-purpose room to eat, cook, do homework, and essentially get the family together. With so many uses, it should be functional, as well as decorative, stylish, and bright!

If your kitchen suffers from a shortage of lighting, dingy paint, or is decor-deficient, peruse the tips and links below to see what can be done to remedy even the darkest, dingiest, and decor-challenged of kitchens!

Lighting

Install recessed lighting over the sink and stove.
Recessed lights provide diffused general lighting and good task lighting for cooking and cleaning.

Install lights under the cabinets.
Under-cabinet lighting provides just the right amount of light to your countertops while remaining out of sight.

Install a pendant lamp over your island.
A pendant lamp over a kitchen island or peninsula adds a bold statement; consider a dimmer switch too.

More lighting inspiration and advice:

• Let There Be Light - from BHG
• Kitchen Lighting: Brilliance on a Budget - from HGTV
• Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Paint and Color

Consider changing the theme of your kitchen.
Victorian, French, Modern, or Country - whatever theme you decide on, choose the brighter palettes those themes offer.

Update your appliances.
Nowadays, appliances come in all sorts of dazzling colors and styles; to keep it easy on the budget, only update your arsenal of small, frequently-used appliances. Or, paint your existing appliances!

Add or update your backsplash.
Consider your favorite or some eye-pleasing, but unusual artwork; or paint the backsplash in a bold, complementary color, so it catches your eye when you walk into the room.

More paint and color tips and techniques:

• How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets - from Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls
• Kitchen Trends: Hottest Color Combos - from HGTV
• Easy Kitchen Paint Color Designs You Can Copy - from HomeRenovations.About.com

Decor

Hang a pot rack.
Your pots and pans can become art if displayed tactfully; consider buying a new, matching set in a bold color that complements the rest of your kitchen.

Add new hardware to your cabinetry.
By adding new hardware to your existing cabinetry, you can give the appearance of a whole kitchen makeover.

Don't forget to de-clutter.
Purge your kitchen of outdated, unused, and unnecessary items; even though it's a multi-purpose room, don't let it become the repository for non-kitchen articles.

More design and decor ideas:

• Brighten Your Kitchen with an Iridescent Backsplash - from Reliable Remodeler
• Dream Kitchens - from BHG
• 10 Real-Life Kitchen Renovation Tips - from House Beautiful