Bobby Berk Says One Inexpensive Kitchen Upgrade Can Make All The Difference

Fans of the Netflix hit "Queer Eye" know Bobby Berk as the show's interior designer with heart. He relishes transformations, creating a home design that's good for the mind, which equates to making people happy. Making a home look great is indeed a path to happiness, but the expenses involved can often be a downer — but it doesn't have to be. In fact, Berk reveals in an interview with Realtor, "One of my favorite quick (it really takes only a few minutes) hacks for the kitchen has always been replacing cabinet knobs. You can instantly give dated cabinets a fresh new look, and there are a lot of great affordable options out there."

Yes, you can give your kitchen cabinets an instant facelift just by switching out the hardware. The total cost, of course, depends on the knobs you choose for your upgrade and how many you need to complete the job, but it's not unusual to find them in the $3-10 range at local hardware stores. Pick styles and colors that work with the overall look you're going for — whether that's a vintage vibe or something sleeker and more modern.

Even for DIY neophytes, this small adjustment offers a big impact and is an easy job to tackle. The first step is removing the old cabinet knob by undoing the screw on the back side of the door. This can be accomplished quickly using an electric screwdriver. If there are multiple fasteners on the knob, gently remove them taking care not to scratch the cabinet finish or paint. Then, you're ready to put the new screw through the hole from back to front, before screwing the knob on a bit by hand. Holding the knob with your thumb while gripping the top or bottom of the cabinet, use your screwdriver to affix the screw the rest of the way. 

Don't over-tighten the screws as you could damage the finish on the surface of the door, but do make sure the knob is secure before moving on to the next one. If you don't feel inclined to attempt home improvements, you might want to hire a handyman to help you with this task — even investing a little more to get some help, this easy-to-accomplish update still does wonders for sprucing up a kitchen without breaking the bank.