Reinventing a dated space doesn’t necessarily mean breaking the bank. And remodels certainly don’t require a complete flip to achieve a stunning, fresh look. You’d probably never believe how far a fresh coat of paint and some modern finishing touches can take you. To find out just how to remodel using simple updates, we spoke to Allyson Hicks of Allyson Hicks Design Consulting for her expertise and experience.

“Sometimes it’s just not in the cards to do a full-scale remodel,” explains Hicks. “But don’t let this stop you from making partial upgrades. In this kitchen, the goal was to have a brighter and lighter space. But we knew that ripping out the flooring and tearing out the slab granite countertops were not in the budget. I still knew we could make a big impact with paint, cabinet hardware and lighting.”

One of the easiest and most effective ways to brighten up any space is to do away with brown, wooden cabinets and opt for a lighter, airy shade, she says. Even without replacing major features of a kitchen, fresh cabinets can do the trick.

“I chose a sky blue for the ceiling and a crisp white on the walls. A warm gray for the cabinets with a slightly darker French gray for the island kept the space grounded with the existing materials that were staying.”

To add to the sleek, modern effect, metallic hardware that complements the new tones is a perfect way to revive a dated kitchen. It’s all in the details, and touches of gold can change up the entire feel of a space.

“I introduced gold tones for the pendants and cabinet hardware which work well in contrast to the gray paints.  And then I made the hood a real focal point with an original piece of art.  The accessories followed for a great mix of traditional and transitional pieces.  The kitchen is truly unrecognizable from its original look and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

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