Updating Kitchen Without Renovation: 7 Ideas from Fresh Projects

Spring is about to arrive — along with the desire for change, including interior changes. We suggest several easy-to-implement ideas we spotted among designers.

Replace the chandelier with a bright and unconventional pendant

This technique looks especially great in a monochrome interior — as seen in this project by Ksenia Yerlakova.

A loft-style pendant with a bright yellow inner part of the shade sets the tone for the entire interior: graphic chairs and decorative elements echo it in geometry, while the mustard shade in the carpet pattern matches the color.

Design: Ksenia Yerlakova

Update soft furniture

By "update" we don't mean "buy new." Simply reupholster the kitchen sofa with a vibrant printed fabric — it will instantly become the main accent. Additionally, you can place a couple of different chairs in Scandinavian style — and you'll get a dynamic and very "European" interior.

Design: Ekaterina Malmygina

Use eye-catching chairs as the main accent

If you have a minimalist kitchen with minimal color and smooth closed cabinets, play on contrast: place a couple of luxurious chairs in the dining area — for example, Maria Rubleva chose gold Kartell chairs in this design project.

By the way, the same chairs were used in the first project from this selection but in black color — compare how different moods they create in the interior!

Design: Maria Rubleva

Instead of upper cabinets, use a bright hanging cabinet or shelves

This solution can make the interior look lighter and airier. For Olesya Shlyakhtina's interior, a retro-style hanging cabinet was custom-made, but if you have such a “grandmother’s” cabinet left over, it's enough to simply repaint it in a vibrant trendy shade. Alternatively, hang several shelves — they can also be painted in different colors.

Design: Olesya Shlyakhtina

Beautiful plates for decoration and dining

With them, your kitchen will taste better!

Repaint (or even replace) the cabinet fronts

A bright kitchen cabinet will look completely new. A fairly simple solution — buy colored cabinet fronts from IKEA: the brand currently has kitchens in green, blue, and burgundy colors. Alternatively, repaint them yourself.

Design: Natalia Shirokorad

Add greenery

In a monochrome modern interior, live plants can become the main stylistic element. Ecology is trending now — and it's very easy to bring this theme into your kitchen simply by adding a few plants in beautiful planters.

Design: Irina Goryachko

And bold art

A fairly obvious tip for a quick interior transformation, yet for some reason many people don't consider the kitchen as an appropriate place for art — and they're missing out!

Certainly, you shouldn't keep an 18th-century masterpiece here, but a modern poster, especially under glass, won't suffer. The key is to place it away from the sink and cooking area. And don’t go small: bright large images look much more impactful in spacious rooms and on small areas.

Design: Svetlana Kuksova