Entering your kitchen should put a smile on your face. After all, it is a central gathering place in your home where some of the best memories are made. Certain design elements can make a kitchen a more functional and enjoyable space in your home, while other elements can really put a damper on being in the kitchen. Below are 7 ways your kitchen may be sucking the life out of you and how you can fix it!

1. Paint your walls. Maybe the paint is chipping or you can’t stand the color anymore. Maybe you purchased the house with the kitchen this color and you never got around to changing it. Either way, updating your kitchen walls can transform the space. The experts at Wilmington, NC painters say that the easiest way to make a change in any room is a fresh coat of paint! Use neutral colors to create balance, vibrant yellows and greens if you want to create a happy mood, or reds and oranges to evoke warmth in your kitchen.
2. Redo your cabinets. Resurfacing your cabinets is another easy way to bring life back into your kitchen. You could re-stain wood cabinets as a refresher, install a glass cabinet doors to showcase your china, purchase new knobs and handles for a quick update, or even line the interior of your cabinets with a fun pattern. All of these options are DIY and create a noticeable difference in your kitchen.
3. Refresh your flooring. If your floors are outdated or worn, replace them! There’s nothing worse than looking at an old floor. Install something that reflects your personal style and doesn’t require too much upkeep. Viable options include eco-friendly bamboo, vinyl tiles, dark wide planks or refinished wood. A new floor might seem like a big undertaking, but doing so can breathe new life into your kitchen!
4. Clean up the trim. If your trim work is starting to show its natural wear and tear or if you’ve never had any trim work done to begin with, consider installing some! Create an elegant environment by installing some crown molding. Trim work in your kitchen can really create a clean and polished look and turn your kitchen into a whole new space.
5. Repair your windows. When was the last time you repaired your kitchen windows? If the wood is rotting, or you can feel a draft, or they just don’t open and close as smoothly anymore, it’s time for a repair. Fixing or updating your windows can help you save on low energy costs and keep your kitchen comfortable throughout the year.
6. Incorporate an island. If you have a spacious kitchen but lack ample counter space, adding an island could be the answer to your problem. With the addition of an island, you’ll add more drawers and cabinets for storage. Plus, you’ll also gain extra seating and counter space to cook or entertain on.
7. Update your countertops. Another way to freshen up your kitchen is to update your countertops. Use marble countertops for a luxurious feel, faux concrete for a sleek look or chalkboard paint to create a modern style. Updating your cabinets can be costly, but it can also be the only thing you need to change to update your kitchen.

Don’t let your kitchen suck the life out of you for a moment longer. Revive your kitchen with these design tips!