Kitchen Makeovers: How to Modernise a Kitchen Without Tackling a Full-Scale Renovation Project

Our kitchens are one of the hardest working spaces in our homes. This busy communal social hub also needs to provide a huge amount of concealed storage for our growing collections of gadgets, crockery, glassware – and pots and pans.

Practical and flexible design is key, but we also want our kitchens to be beautiful — and full-scale renovations can be expensive. The good news is, small changes can still have a huge impact.

Refacing your kitchen — with a little help from the experts — means you can completely transform the space by simply replacing dated cupboard doors, handles, worktops — and even the sink in as little as a day.

“The concept of refacing rather than replacing has definitely gained momentum in recent years,” says Samantha Davis of Kitchen Magic, which fits around 1,300 made-to-measure kitchens a year.

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“It is a cost-effective solution for those who want to change their kitchen without the expense, hassle or disruption of a full rip-out and re-fit. By simply changing your door and drawer fronts, you can keep all the parts of the kitchen that you are happy with (such as layout) and replace everything you’re not.”

Finish the look by accessorising with sleek new kitchen gadgets, crockery, glassware and framed prints to tie it all together.

Replacing kitchen cupboard doors and drawers

Kitchen Magic creates bespoke design ideas, with smaller-scale kitchens starting from £1,500, to larger re-fit projects costing around £4,000.

Lianne Brown, 42, an IT consultant, wanted to update her two-tone black-and-beige gloss kitchen with a more contemporary, brighter look.

“I’d lived with my old kitchen for 10 years and it had served me well,” says Lianne, “I was still happy with the layout, but it was time to update the look, while keeping a few favourite items such as my Elica extractor chandelier.

“I wanted a bright, white, much sleeker space that would feel new without the headache of a complete refit.”

Following an at-home design consultation, Lianne chose white acrylic cabinetry in a super-matt finish for a stylish, clean look that would set off the black granite worktops that she wanted to keep.

“Within the space of just a few days, my kitchen was transformed into a contemporary, minimalist space which is perfect for entertaining in,” she says. “I loved adding a few finishing touches, including a new coffee machine, a huge lantern which sits under a minimalist framed print and some smart rose-gold and black kitchenware. I’m thrilled with the finished look – it looks so much bigger and brighter.”

Why not replace the worktops, too?

Kelly Clarke, 43, an airline performance manager at London Gatwick, was desperate to update her black gloss kitchen, with its dark-wood worktops, black patterned wall tiles and difficult storage cabinets.

“My kitchen felt dark and oppressive and it wasn’t a room to be proud of,” she recalls. Everything needed an update but I wasn’t sure where to start on a small budget. When a friend suggested I keep the shell of my cupboards but change the fronts, worktops and colour scheme, I couldn’t wait to get started.

Kelly Clarke chose pale-grey gloss cabinetry complemented by white quartz-style worktops, with an opaque glass splash back

“The process was a lot easier and quicker than I’d assumed it would be,” says Kelly. “After ordering, I had a week before the kitchen was to be installed, so I started by getting new integrated appliances, removing the old wall tiles and adding a good lick of white paint.”

One week on, the bespoke cabinetry fronts were ready to be installed. The door and drawer fronts were replaced with touch-control designs and sparkly new worktops were put into place.

“I love my new space, it’s like a different room entirely. I’m just looking forward to having friends over to dinner to show it off now.”

Kitchen Magic is offering Homes & Property readers free fitting worth a minimum of £500. Quote code HP to claim. For a free brochure or no-obligation quotation, call 0800 169 4748 or visit kitchen-magic.com.

Get the look: accessorise

Create a coffee corner

Black high-gloss Creatista Uno coffee machine from Nespresso.com; £329

Black high-gloss Creatista Uno coffee machine, perfect for budding baristas, £329, from Nespresso boutiques and www.nespresso.com.
Black/copper pyramid kettle, £38, and matching four-slot toaster, £45, from Next.co.uk.

Glam it up with gadgets

Store it in style
Black metal storage tins, £16
Black drawer bread bin, £28.

Add personality with prints
Minimalism 14 by Marieke Boehmer Framed Print, £40.
But first coffee print, from £40.

A framed print with a splash of colour can add personality to muted interiors

Get your green
Real Touch Collection Luxe Orchid, £55.
Set of 3 marble effect succulent pots, £18.