10 easy ways to make your kitchen look more expensive

The advent of open-plan living brought kitchens – and the homemakers who use them – out of the shadows and made them the centre of attention.

Prior to the mid-20th century, most homes were equipped with a floor plan that saw the hallway act as a means of connection to various enclosed branches of the house. Far from being the ‘heart of the home’ as it’s often deemed today, the kitchen was typically relegated to the back of the house; viewed as a service area and not used for socialising. Entertaining was done in other dedicated areas of the house and the kitchen was solely used for food preparation and off-limits to guests.

While the rise of open-plan living did wonders to allow home chefs (typically women) to be hostesses in their own homes, the increased connection has also opened the kitchen up to scrutiny. More than an utilitarian place to prepare a lucullan repast, the kitchen is a main character itself. An essential consideration for serial entertainers, regular at-home diners, and those looking to sell their home alike, having a luxurious and aesthetically pleasing kitchen can go a long way to improving your overall quality of life as well as your home’s value.

Fortunately, creating a kitchen that looks expensive doesn’t have to be expensive. Read on for our 10 easy and affordable ways to make your kitchen look more luxurious.

Light fixtures are an easy yet impactful way to change the look and feel of your kitchen. More than a mere finishing touch, the right lighting fixtures can add style and ambience to your kitchen. Unexpected, sculptural fixtures can act as contemporary works of art, while gold or brass pendant lighting and even a chandelier instantly take a kitchen from drab to fab.

We’re past the days of team silver versus team gold. A combination of warm and cool undertones can make for design harmony, with the opulence of warm metals – think gold, brass and copper – enhanced by accents in cooler tones such as chrome or nickel. Alternatively, metals in the same tonal family can be mixed, just ensure you select metals in both polished and brushed finishes, helping them to better complement each other rather than vying for attention. Mixing metals within a kitchen adds an elegant, curated feel, creating a space that looks intentional and personal, as opposed to simply pulled straight out of a catalogue.

Quite possibly the easiest and most affordable kitchen update, changing your hardware can change your space. Swap your run-of-the-mill cabinet and drawer knobs and pulls for high-quality iterations – hardware with a brass, copper, chrome, gunmetal, silver, or gold finish is an instant way to add a sense of refinement to your space.

Swap your kitchen sink tap for a unique version with a decorative finish. For bonus points, coordinate this with your new hardware. Adding a matching pot filler also aids in enhancing both the aesthetic and functionality of your kitchen.

Art needn’t be reserved for the living room and bedroom. Displaying art in your kitchen makes it feel like an extension of your home, rather than a solely functional space. Art in the kitchen doesn’t necessarily have to play into a food or beverage theme; pop art and unexpected subject matter can serve as a talking point.

Bar carts aren’t just for the living room. Rather than haphazardly stashing your alcohol around the kitchen like a college student, showcase your imbibing supplies in a dedicated bar area. Along with bottles of wine, spirits, and liquor, display your crystal glasses and stemware, a decanter and any culinary accoutrements such as lemons and limes, maraschino cherries and dried orange slices.

Eliminate unattractive packaging and decant food items such as cereal, coffee, grounds and nuts into chic glass jars. Not only will it enhance your kitchen’s aesthetic appeal, it will also prevent…ahem, unwanted visitors…from sneaking in for a taste.

When it comes to making your kitchen look more expensive and luxurious, we can often get caught up in the bigger ticket items such as appliances and cabinetry. While important, the devil is in the details. Invest in beautiful dish towels and napery, decant your dishwashing liquid into a beautiful glass dispenser, and update your cooking implements and utensils regularly.

Sometimes a tired-looking kitchen is simply a cluttered one. Edit down the selection of small appliances you keep on your benchtop – items like toasters, blenders, teapots, and food processors are best stored within cabinets to promote a more streamlined look. Naturally, essentials – like the coffee machine! – can still be kept up top.

Explore more design ideas on ArchiPro.