How to Get More Light in Your Kitchen (You Know You Want This)

Hey there everyone, welcome to the first You Know You Want This video, which is another one of our new series here at Treasured Spaces! With this series, we’re going to offer up some awesome tips and tricks for improving your home, as well as some renovations that a professional remodeler and builder can get done for you!

Today, we’re focusing on kitchens. More specifically, we’re talking about how to brighten up your kitchen when it’s looking a little dim. The kitchen should be an integral part of your home, and one that encourages cooking and spending time with guests during parties, holidays, or any occasion for that matter.

Here are some tips and tricks for making your kitchen brighter.

Case Study

Before

Now, there are many reasons why a kitchen may look a little dark and dim. First, there may not be enough natural light in the home, which was the case with the kitchen in the home we renovated in the video. The kitchen also featured really dark features, including the cabinets and flooring. The space was also very cramped, which made you feel like you were walking through a hallway rather than a kitchen.

Now, we’ll cut the architects and designers of this home some slack considering it was constructed in 1939. However, it was definitely time to update the space for 2019.

We were hired to create a more homey feeling in the kitchen, where cooking would be fun and where our clients could entertain guests. We added a bunch of new features and characteristics. We brightened up the space by adding some lighter painted cabinets, light countertops, and a bright stainless steel range. On top of this, we also extended the width of the kitchen and built outwards, adding large windows along the way that let in some natural light.

After

Things You Can Do to Brighten Up Your Kitchen

So, you’ve noticed your kitchen could use a little more life. Lucky for you, there are some quick, easy tricks you can incorporate into the space to brighten it up.

A lot of older homes have popcorn ceilings that have become stained a yellowish brown from grease. You can easily scrape the popcorn off and paint the ceiling a nice, lighter color.

If you have darker wooden cabinets, consider painting them a lighter, more neutral tone. While there are some folks who don’t like to paint over authentic wood, it looks fantastic and still maintains the authenticity that you want.

If you have an island in your kitchen, you can use that as another means of adding some lighter tones to your kitchen. Also, don’t forget about the backsplash of your kitchen either, which can make a big difference in how the space looks.

One other easy and nifty little trick is to use under-cabinet lighting. You can find some DIY light tape or LED light tape which is very easy to install and use and can create a whole new feeling to your kitchen.

Things a Professional Can Do For Your Kitchen

While those are some quick fixes you can do on your own, by hiring a professional remodeler, you can do much bigger and bolder changes to your kitchen.

For example, with the aforementioned 1939 kitchen, we expanded the space, which made it more like a modern kitchen. We also added large windows.

Another possible option, depending on your home and budget, is to raise the ceiling, which can make a huge difference. Along with this, a professional can also add some unique types of metals and finishes, like the brass hood we added after building out the ceiling.

So, if you’re sick of cooking in the dark, let’s turn on the lights. Contact Treasured Spaces today and we’ll get started on creating your dream kitchen.