Luxury doesn’t always mean spending big bucks. With these designer-approved tips and tricks, anyone can have an upscale kitchen that looks so much more pricey than it is. Creativity and elbow grease combined with a few thoughtfully purchased features can give you the same elevated and luxe appearance as your dream kitchen (at a fraction of the cost).
- Paulina Hospod is an interior and architectural designer. She also is the president of AhA!nteriors in New York.
- Mina Lisanin is an interior designer and founder of ML Interiors in New York.
1. Under-Cabinet Lighting
Get the high-end appearance of hardwired under-cabinet lighting without the price tag. Mina Lisanin, interior designer and founder of ML Interiors, says that a less expensive lookalike will provide the same functional task lighting and layer of ambience as its more expensive counterpart.
“You can use simple battery-powered peel-and-stick lights from Amazon as a cheap alternative for under-cabinet lighting. Bonus tip: You can purchase motion sensor battery-powered lights on Amazon and place them in your drawers for an expensive look on a budget,” Lisanin says.
2. High-Quality Hardware
If you can’t change your cabinetry or other expensive kitchen features, Paulina Hospod, interior designer and president of AhA!nteriors, recommends replacing your hardware with a high-quality version (specifically from designer trade stores). To elevate basic cabinetry even more, she recommends choosing unique door pulls like half circles and installing them in fun ways.
“Many trade stores will have solid metal choices that can make any kitchen look more expensive. Hardware will also dress up cabinets and make the entire kitchen look stylish,” Hospod says.
When choosing the hardware’s finish, Hospod typically opts for brushed nickel, matte black, or brass to instantly update the look of your kitchen without changing much else.
3. Oversized Light Fixtures
Draw the attention away from the less-lovable parts of your kitchen with an eye-catching oversized light fixture. Choose one that reflects the existing style of your kitchen but maybe is a little more funky than what you normally lean towards. Unique light fixtures exude elegance, and one that is oversized can trick your guests into thinking it’s much more expensive than it actually is.
Jay Wilde
4. Open Shelving
Controversial to some, open shelving is a go-to way to make your kitchen seem more costly. It does require some demo and DIY skills, but removing existing cabinetry to install open shelves can make a big difference for little cost.
“Open shelves can create an airy, spacious feel and provide an opportunity to display stylish dishware, cookbooks, and decorative items. I love to layer framed art on an open shelf. For a polished look, use high-quality wood or metal brackets,” Lisanin says.
5. Crown Molding
A minor feature that can make a big impact is crown molding. Lisanin advises homeowners to consider adding crown molding to the top of their cabinets for a more custom built-in appearance. Whether the cabinetry goes to the top of the ceiling or not, crown molding can be applied.
6. Spend More on Areas That Require Less
If there’s not a lot of room left in your kitchen renovation budget and you’re deciding where it should be used, Hospod suggests spending it on a specific area that requires a low quantity of material. For example, if your backsplash is small, you might choose a more expensive tile there and an affordable one on something like the floor. Invest in the feature that will draw the most attention for the best price.
7. Remove Clutter
Something that most high-end kitchen photos have in common—being clutter-free. Keep your countertops tidy so things like the backsplash and countertops can shine rather than unsightly objects. “An organized, clutter-free kitchen always looks more expensive. Use stylish storage solutions to keep countertops clean and tidy,” Lisanin says.
