New Countertops Aren't In The Budget? Try A Different Kind Of Refresh

Dreaming of new countertops? According to data from Angi, you could be looking at an investment between $1,800 and $4,400. Thankfully, however, there's an easy way to improve your cooking area if a renovation isn't in the budget. Reorganizing your countertops to create a tidy and attractive space can completely renew your kitchen and even make it look like a brand new space. Clean, organized kitchen countertops not only look visually appealing, but they cut the chaos that could affect your mental health. A clutter-free environment lets you focus better because your brain isn't overloaded by the distractions on your countertop. 

Every item you have in your home demands your time and energy for upkeep. Being selective with what you keep on your kitchen countertops gives you more control over how you spend your time and energy. Start by removing everything from your counters to declutter. Look for items you can relocate to a cabinet, drawer, or pantry. Adding extra storage solutions, including hanging baskets, rolling carts, wall-mounted utensil holders, over-the-door pantry shelves, and kitchen islands, provides a new home for items you normally keep on the counter. 

Add pretty and functional organizing solutions to help to keep countertops free of clutter. Decorative trays keep seasonings, oils, and other frequently used ingredients tidy and easily accessible. Tiered trays give you multiple storage layers for a mix of decorations and kitchen essentials. For fruit and other small, loose items, baskets or bowls offer a storage option to keep everything contained. 

Redecorating your countertops adds your personal style to the space with pieces that bring you joy. Look for stylish kitchen countertop decor that avoids clutter but expresses your personality. Adding meaningful items to your kitchen display can remind you of happy times and reinforce the idea of the kitchen being the heart of your home. Try framed photos, artwork a family member made, or antique kitchen gadgets passed down from family members. You can also decorate with functional items. Examples include propping wood cutting boards against the wall, placing oils in pretty dispensers, or displaying your spices in decorative containers. If you have a green thumb and plenty of natural light, add an herb garden to your counter for an earthy touch that doubles as flavoring for your recipes. 

Updates to the existing countertop material can also renew your kitchen. For example, when you seal butcher block countertops regularly, you prevent stains and make dry wood look fresh. If you have tile countertops, cleaning the grout with a bleach solution of one part bleach and eight parts water helps remove stains and buildup. Laminate countertops can be polished to bring back some shine and improve their look. With a bit of reorganization and TLC, you might find that you don't actually need that kitchen renovation.