The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where the family gathers right before dinner, catching each other’s day before heading to the table. It’s the place to grab a bite (often working on the table while you wait for the food to cook) and share a cup of coffee with your friends. If you’re planning to sell your home, the kitchen is the first place potential buyers will look, and it’s one of the factors that can significantly increase (or decrease) your home’s resale value.

These are just some of the reasons why it’s a good idea to invest in your kitchen: its looks, functionality and overall atmosphere. But the question is where to start. After all, most people may want to extend their renovations rather than spend huge sums of money to fix it all at once.

Coordinate your devices

One of the easiest ways to create a sense of harmony is to coordinate the colors of your devices. You can replace the doors of your refrigerator and dishwasher, and swap your microwave and other small appliances for something that matches the overall look.

Change your cabinets

It’s amazing how small details can make a big difference. Replace your cabinet doors with beautiful paneling, interesting woodwork or beautiful handles. In fact, beautiful cabinet doors can serve as a design element while serving a very practical purpose. In a very small kitchen with little room for decor, cabinets may be your only chance to make a big “design statement”.

repaint the walls

Color sets the mood of a room. Choose a homey color that lifts your mood and creates a feeling of comfort and welcome. Avoid very bright colors (unless there are accents) as they can intensify the feeling of being “warm” (and a warm kitchen is not a cozy kitchen). You can also use colorful decorations above the sink, near the windows, above the work area or under the cabinets.

Organize Your Kitchen Appliances

The best kitchens are not only beautiful but also useful. There are many kitchen organizers that can keep kitchen tools and supplies (hooks, jars, shelves) handy while acting as a decor. But don’t buy any kitchen organizer without thinking about what you need and where you should put it. For example, if you have a very small desk space, you will need organizers that allow you to hang your tools. You should also install or place the organizers near the area where you will use them in the most natural way – if you have to go through the kitchen to access them, you are still not making good use of your kitchen space.

Increase Kitchen Ventilation and Lighting

Cooking can be uncomfortable: hot, messy, stuffy. Install fans and blowers and make the most of windows to make it a more enjoyable experience. For lighting, you will need lights placed just above the stove, as well as the area where you are preparing the materials. If you plan to use the kitchen as a mini dining area, you may also want to install “mood lights” or lamps.