Simple Steps to a Brighter Kitchen

A great kitchen should be the heart of the home and a place that you want to spend time cooking, eating and socialising. If you want to turn a dark and dingy kitchen into the light, bright hub of your home then follow these simple steps.

The Rules of reflection

Materials like glass and mirror reflect light. If your kitchen is full of reflective surfaces it will appear brighter. One way to inject extra style and plenty of reflection into your space is by incorporating a glass splashback. 

You can choose from a huge range of colour and finish options so whether you want to make a bright bold statement with shocking pink or install dove grey glass splashbacks that ooze sophistication, you’ll be able to find something to suit your tastes. You can add even more drama with spotlights under your kitchen units or even behind the glass sheet itself.

Spic and Span

Kitchen dirt creeps up over time and a film of grease and dust can build up that we barely even notice. However, when you get out the scrubbing brush and attack your kitchen with degreaser it quickly becomes apparent just how much dirt there is. 

A deep clean will make your kitchen feel instantly lighter and brighter - so give tiles, floors, cupboards and doors a good going over. 

To do a great job you’ll need to remove any clutter so all your surfaces are free and clear – the perfect opportunity to get rid of the things you don’t need and find the right place for the things you do. 

When your kitchen is clear of clutter, organised and clean it will feel like a brand new room.

With no clutter to clear, it’s a piece of cake to get out the brushes and give your kitchen a fresh lick of paint, but before you do wash down the walls with sugar soap to get rid of grease. Pale colours will make the space look lighter so stick to white or off white hues.

Garden Check Up

A bush, tree or other obstruction outside can make a huge difference to the amount of light in a room so if your kitchen overlooks your garden then trim back any trees and bushes that could be blocking light. On the inside, choose simple blinds instead of curtains. 

As you’ll only draw your blind at night you can opt to keep it simple with something in a plain colour, or you can make a feature of your blind by choosing a bold design or even a super-sized family photo which will be revealed each evening. Opt for a photo in black and white or bold colour. 

Choose tea towels, table settings and kitchen accessories that tie in for a fun and flamboyant touch that’s still sophisticated.

If you want to encourage your family or even your other half to spend more time eating around a table, make sure your kitchen social space is warm and inviting. In addition to a light source directly above the eating area, outdoor lighting can create an intimate atmosphere and bags of extra interest. If you’ve got a direct view of the garden from your dining table, illuminate your favourite tree or plant with solar powered lights or get LED lights installed. They use significantly less energy than conventional or halogen bulbs and don’t get hot so are great for gardens.