Why You Should Treat Yourself to These Kitchen Upgrades This Season

AD It YourselfWhy You Should Treat Yourself to These Kitchen Upgrades This SeasonUse the holidays as an excuse to redo your lighting, replace your appliances, and more

By Alyssa Giacobbe

December 3, 2021

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Take cues from this space and give yourself the gift of a freshened kitchen.Photo: Helen Cathcart

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Presented by De’Longhi

The hardest-working room in the house takes a special hit this time of year with all the entertaining, cooking, and more. Why not show your kitchen how much it means to you with a few upgrades—many even doable in time for the holidays? We talked to some designers and home improvement experts to weigh in with inspiration and ideas for ways to give your kitchen an easy but meaningful refresh.

Rethink your lighting

A lighting switch-up—no pun intended—is a good way to make a big difference both in kitchen fashion and function. “Upgrading your light fixtures can change the whole look of the space, eliminate shadows, and highlight countertops and backsplashes,” says Vince Heslop of Ohio-based Handyman Connection, who frequently recommends adding under-cupboard lighting on upper cabinets for better visibility in the kitchen. Interior designer Kelly Eyink at Ohio-based M+A Architects says that lamps on countertops are “having a big moment” and can add easy-to-control warmth and ambiance.

Or consider new pendant lights. “Replacing decorative light fixtures is a great way to redefine your kitchen design,” says Phoebe Schuh of PS & Daughters in Wayne, Pennsylvania, who recommends adding dimmer switches, if you don’t already have them. “These [pieces] really are a focal point, so look for new lights that speak to you and definitely have a handyman or electrician install them.”

Just add art

Install a valuable, elevated piece of art. “People often reserve their prized pieces for other living spaces, but most of us spend the majority of our time at home with friends and family in the kitchen,” says Christina Simon of Mark Ashby Design in Austin. “Let that art be a real showstopper and maybe something unexpected.” As Phoenix interior designer Emily Yeates points out, you don’t need expansive walls to style out the kitchen for a curated and collected look. “My favorite kitchen addition is a small-scale oil painting hung right above the range,” she says. “It’s nothing a little Command strip can’t handle!”

Upgrade your small appliances…

Research from home advice site Realm found that upgrading to stainless-steel appliances has a ROI of 139%. But even one or two new small appliances can make a big difference. “There’s nothing worse than a small appliance dying at the most inopportune time,” says San Antonio designer Alison Giese. “Treat yourself to the gold standard of your favorite small appliance, and relax knowing it’s made to last.” 

Designer Liles Dunnigan of the Warehouse Interiors in Raleigh, North Carolina, suggests a coffee maker upgrade: “A wonderful espresso machine is the ultimate way to treat yourself and your kitchen,” she says. “It’s one thing to have a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, but it’s a whole different experience to have a fresh latte, cappuccino, or straight shot of espresso ready for you throughout the day. And most of them look nice enough to leave on the counter.”

To go with it, Caron Woolsey of CW Interiors in The Woodlands, Texas, suggests a handheld rechargeable frother. “It’s an affordable, stylish kitchen gadget that comes in myriad colors and patterns to provide a small but mighty pop of color and personality in any kitchen,” she says. “My matcha latte–loving client wanted a quick and easy way to make her own during lockdown without investing in a larger appliance that would take up valuable countertop real estate.”  

…and your big ones too

Rosie Miller, the head of commercial at vacation rental company Onefinestay, suggests investing in eye-catching appliances. “Whether you invest in a statement range cooker, like the Lacanche Cluny, or swap out smaller, more affordable appliances with more design-driven pieces, you can create a new aesthetic in your space that will wow guests,” Miller says.

Invest in better cookware

Updating some of your basic kitchen accoutrements is a simple way to easily inject new life into the kitchen. “New pots and pans may not sound sexy, but I have dreams of upgrading to some gorgeous copper cookware from E. Dehillerin,” says Manhattan designer Lilse McKenna. “You can also upgrade your bakeware from utilitarian to decorative. A pretty baking dish can go straight from the oven to the table, but I also think it can enhance your whole cooking experience. I picked up a beautiful hand-painted baking dish from La Tuile à Loup in Paris, and I’ll whip up a full roast chicken just for an excuse to use it.”

Austin-based designer Liz MacPhail recently added a new Dutch oven to her arsenal of kitchen tools. “I spotted The Dutchess from Great Jones at a friend’s dinner party and had to get one for myself,” she says. “The matte finish and gold handle make it special, but the enamel finish—I got the mustard colorway, my friend’s was broccoli—over cast iron is unbeatable. I try adding a new piece to my cooking collection each fall to inspire myself into action right before the holidays.”

Replace your pulls

A relatively inexpensive way to immediately change the look of your kitchen is to replace or update your hardware—the “kitchen jewelry,” as many designers call it. “Changing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets and drawers is a fun way to breathe new life into your kitchen,” Schuh says. “While they may not be a focal point, they are literally all over your kitchen, so the impact will be big. This little change will go a long way and can take your aesthetic in a new, refreshing direction.” As Los Angeles designer Jamie King of JLK Interiors points out, you can find beautiful pulls and knobs everywhere, and replacing them is easy to do yourself.

Bring in something special

Simple luxuries can go a long way, says Houston designer Kara Childress. “Carving out space for a coffee bar with a luxury espresso and coffee machine is a great way to elevate your morning experience,” she says. “Create a whole coffee service station using a tray that holds sugar, creamer, and custom to-go coffee cups with lids for a kitchen that feels like one you might find in a boutique hotel.”

Annapolis, Maryland, architect Cathy Purple Cherry suggests even installing a coffee maker plumbed directly to your water line, eliminating the need to ever refill the water reservoir. For a recent kitchen remodel for wine-loving clients, Los Angeles designer Natasha Baradaran even installed a wine station—a temperature-controlled, four-bottle wine dispensing and preservation system. “You can choose just the right amount—a sip or a full glass with the touch of a finger,” she says. “And the wine stays fresh for up to 60 days.”

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