Give your kitchen an instant makeover

Installing a new kitchen can cost a small fortune, but with a bit of creativity and some well-chosen accessories you can update this most used room in the home without breaking the bank.

Layout

Most experts agree that the most efficient kitchen layout shape is a triangle formed between the cooker, fridge and sink. If you feel that the layout of the kitchen isn’t working for you, look and see if you can move anything around. Could you take out one of the units and fit an under-counter fridge to create that all-important triangle?

Units

Even the most bespoke-looking kitchens often have basic units that you’ll find at any DIY retailer. The most dramatic difference you can make to spruce up your kitchen is to simply replace old doors and drawer fronts and finish them off with some eye-catching knobs and handles. Or you could give tired wooden doors a new coat of paint – a bright, sunny yellow is uplifting and always looks good in a kitchen.

Worktops are more expensive to replace. If you’ve got a couple of unsightly marks on your work surfaces, some carefully placed patterned tiles, perhaps picked up on from your holiday, will do the trick and work as decorative camoflague.

Space

If you’re squeezed on space you can buy handy wall brackets to fix your microwave or television on to. You’ll be surprised how much more work surface you have. Make sure you have the right fixings though. The smaller, flat screen tvs are pretty light, but microwaves are still quite heavy.

Windows

Fresh new curtains or blinds can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your kitchen. And a couple of small, potted plants on the window ledge that like the light work brings instant life to a room.

Display

Do you have space to put in some attractive open shelves where you can display storage containers and attractive crockery? Even if you have all-white plates and bowls, they can look really striking stacked up together in a tidy display on a shelf.

Finishing touches

Sometimes just the smallest details will be enough to bring new life to a kitchen.

• Look out for an unusual jug at a boot fair or antique market and fill it with your every day utensils.
• A bowlful of brightly coloured fruit and veg adds richness to a table.
• A row of your favourite cookery books makes a useful display.
• Use new Fairy Clean and Care. This new range of detergent in Silk and Orchid, Aloe Vera and Cucumber and Almond is soft on your hands and keeps the dishes squeaky clean, and comes in an attractive new bottle to suit the smartest of kitchens.
• A colourful new tablecloth or some stylish patterned tea towels will update your kitchen for next to nothing!