PROPERTY NEWS - If you love light, airy-looking kitchens, there are tips and accessories that will help brighten up a dark kitchen in a flash. White cabinetry, light countertops and white or reflective kitchen backsplashes go a long way to transform a dark kitchen.
If renovating your kitchen with the perfect white cabinets, marble countertop and white subway tile splashback is not in your budget, you could try these DIY transformation ideas with paint, wallpaper and even contact paper. For those of us who want results fast without any DIY, there are some accessories that you could add to any kitchen to brighten up your space.
The key to making any dark space look brighter is to maximise light sources and add natural light-reflecting surfaces like mirrors and metallic accessories.
Naked window
Those cafe curtains may be cute, but they're also blocking natural light. In a dark kitchen, opt for light window dressings, like white blinds that can be opened fully during the day to let light in.
If privacy is not an issue, lose the blinds and allow for a naked window for maximum natural light.
Metallic accessories.
Mirror the kitchen
While mirrors in the kitchen aren't common, consider ways to position mirrors to reflect light into the kitchen but yet are far enough away from the steam and grease of cooking. For example, if your home is open plan with an entryway or hallway leading into the kitchen, try positioning a mirror on an entryway wall so that it not only enhances the entry but also helps to reflect natural light into the kitchen. For maximum light-bouncing effect, the bigger the mirror the better.
Alternatively, create an eye-catching feature with a gallery wall displaying a number of vintage-looking mirrors. You can also add mirrors to a kitchen in slightly unconventional ways, like placing a mirrored tray in the middle of a kitchen table and potting kitchen herbs in mirror mosaic planter pots.
If privacy is not an issue, lose the blinds and allow for a naked window for maximum natural light.
Metal ahead
Whenever replacing anything visible in a kitchen, whether it's a pendant light fitting or hand soap dispensers, look for ones with some shine. Whether you like silver, gold, rose gold, copper or brass, metallic accessories will help keep bouncing that natural light around the kitchen. And finally, add new, bright tea towels and oven gloves to complete the light new look.
While mirrors in the kitchen aren't common, consider ways to position mirrors to reflect light into the kitchen but yet are far enough away from the steam and grease of cooking.
Source: www.all4women.co.za
