You've finally convinced your SO to redo the kitchen. Now, kitchen renovations don't happen every day. So when you get a chance to spruce up the most expensive room in your house, I can understand you feeling a little nervous.
Don't stuff this up.
I can sense your instincts telling you to go with white. Play it safe, they say. Pesky instincts. Clearly broken by every makeover show ever, white-washing every surface. I'm looking at you, Tara Dennis *gives formidable side-eye*.
But you know what? White kitchens are like bums. Everyone has one.
Your kitchen renovation is finally happening. And you are a unique individual. Don't allow your kitchen to look identical to everyone else's. Here's how to do your kitchen renovation right (and not entirely white):
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Try sealed OSB and reflective brass kitchen cabinets as seen at this cubby house for adults.
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Or more shiny things and a round island bench at this colourful renovation.
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Timber kitchens always look great. And this is no exception (happy family not included).
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Or plywood. Because, plywood.
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Plus, using plywood for your kitchen cabinets means you can have fun finger holes instead of handles.
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Or reuse an old stair balustrade for a kitchen cabinet handle like PHOOEY Architects.
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Heck, why have cabinet fronts at all when you can have curtains instead?
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You could have a whacky colourful printed splashback.
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Mirror the base of your island bench to give the illusion of more space.
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Or go full Gordon Ramsay with a design ripped straight from a commercial kitchen.
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Better still, mimic your local cafe for an at-home buzz like these introverts. Because, ew, people.
Also note, if you can survive with a cut-down fridge and pantry (because let's face it, you eat out virtually every night anyhow), you can really open up the kitchen by keeping them below the counter.
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Create an homage to the era of your home like they have done in the renovation of this '60s stunner.
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And while we're on that track, a classic FAB fridge by Smeg would look right at home in your retro kitchen. FAB just turned 21, so he's all grown up now and comes in a range of different sizes to suit any kitchen. But the thing that makes FAB super fabs? The colour-range.
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Team it with the new Smeg Portofino freestanding cooker in sunshine yellow, olive green, coral red or burnt orange (pictured) and you'll have a kitchen that will transport you to the Italian Riviera and make your friends (olive) green with envy.
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More and more people are choosing to leave beautiful objects on display in their kitchen, rather than shutting them behind cupboard doors. This clever kitchen was cut off-site and assembled by the owner - a more sophisticated alternative to an IKEA flat pack. No guarantees it was easier to put together though.
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See, everything's on display here, too. Also, yellow.
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If you must go all-white. Throw in some dusty pink (or another colour of your choice) and some arches to break up the starkness.
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But honestly, wouldn't you rather go with zesty, refreshing green?
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Or go to the dark side?
There is so much fun to be had with kitchen renovations. Don't let your reno be stymied by a lack of imagination. Or, worse still, courage. Have fun with your kitchen design, and it'll make even cleaning up a treat. Or at least a little more bearable.