A cramped workspace within a small room with poor lightning, this is what a chef’s nightmare kitchen would certainly look like. For someone accustomed to lots of space, wooden furniture with modern shiny hardware and last generation microwaves, it is hard to imagine cooking in a room like the one described above. However, this is the case for many kitchens nowadays when a complete redecoration is completely out of the question. Luckily, there are a few tips that not only will help give your kitchen a face-lift.

You might think that redecorating the kitchen is an important matter only for those whom make a hobby out of cooking and baking, right? Well, wrong! You don’t have to fantasize and prepare for a job in a fancy French restaurant in order to want a face-lift for your kitchen. We all spend a lot of time in this room so a little improvement would be good for both us and our home. In order to optimize the redecorating process, make a list. Write down the things you need, the one you want and try to find a common ground for the two.

The number one item on this list should be “travertine tiles”. The kitchen is a room with a lot of traffic therefore replacing the floor should refresh things up in a minute. In order to get a friendly and maybe even a rustic look, natural material is a must. Travertine tiles come in different colors and sizes, are easy to install and to maintain afterward. Plus, since they are made out of very resistant stone you won’t have to replace them next year so it’s also a very good long term investment.

Take a look at the current items in your kitchen. Certainly there are things worth keeping as they are. Kitchen cabinets, for instance, usually don’t need to be replaced. Just order new doors for them and the effect will be amazing. For those in need of an even cheaper alternative, try refinishing the ones you have. Just a little gloss paint and no one will be able to tell the difference between the cabinets in your home and the ones in the store.

When redecorating, paint is one of the most important and most effective weapons. Go out and buy some new paint, go for a different color this time in order to freshen up the room. According to feng shui rules, the best choices for your kitchen are white and orange. The first one will enlarge the space, bring more light and it is also believed to increase creativity, Maybe you will even come up with some new recipes!

The star of any kitchen is definitely the sink. It gets a lot of action, no matter if the owner of the house is a cook or not. Fruits and vegetables must be washed, dishes must be washed. Replacing it may seem a little expensive at first. However, if you consider the benefits it will bring to this part of the house, you will see it’s worth it. The last thing you need is getting you home under water because the sink couldn’t manage all that hard work. And, since you are at it, change the faucet as well. It will make dish washing easier.

There is nothing like travertine tiles when trying to add some some of that rural charm to the patio or the back garden of your city house.