Trust Me, These 8 Small Swaps Will Instantly Make Your Kitchen Feel Expensive (Without Spending Too Much)
From hardware swaps to charming decor, these are the designer-approved methods to create an expensive look without a price tag to match
It's that time of the year when we're all in need of a bit of a home refresh, and no room feels quite as transformative as the kitchen. But how can you make your kitchen look more expensive and elevated without spending a fortune?
Every meaningful update can feel like a major project, but the truth is, there are more ways to create a more expensive feel in your kitchen than you might think. And no, they don't involve spending a fortune.
8 Ways To Make Your Kitchen Feel Expensive
'Your kitchen is the hardest working room, the heart of your home. It’s a gathering place for family and friends, a central location for celebrations from birthday parties to holidays and everything in between,' says Lauren Williams of MV Architects.
'If you’re craving an upgrade, there are plenty of options available without embarking on a major renovation.' And these 8 suggestions offer major impact with minimal effort.
1. Swapping Wall Cabinets For Open Shelving
A glance at the most coveted kitchen designs this year, and you'll notice one clear thing – none of them are filled with wall cabinets. That's not to say you shouldn't have any upper cupboards, but reducing the amount will give a more expensive look.
Removing a small section of upper cabinetry and replacing it with open shelving can make a kitchen feel more architectural and custom. This shifts the space from functional to curated and intentional,' says Mary Gordon, co-founder at InSite Builders & Remodeling.
The most effective option here is to just replace the wall cabinets directly next to your range hood and replace them with shelves. It instantly opens up the room and creates a more custom look.
This year's kitchen trends are championing elevated shelves with gallery rails, like Anthropologie's Amara Floating Wood Shelf or Wayfair's Dandre Modern Brass Wooden Shelf. If you already have kitchen shelving, consider adding Rejuvenation's Traditional Gallery Rail to give it a more expensive look.
2. Adding New, Layered Lighting Options
Kitchen lighting can make or break your design, especially if you're going for an expensive look. Layering is the buzzword this year, with varied sources providing a blend of task and ambient, functional and cozy.
'Adding undercabinet lighting creates soft illumination across the backsplash and countertops. This enhances material texture and makes even modest finishes appear richer and more layered,' says Mary.
'Placing a small lamp on a countertop or open shelf softens the overall lighting scheme. This creates a calmer and more intimate atmosphere that feels more residential and inviting,' she suggests as an easy-to-add lighting idea.
Cordless designs work best, such as the Brooks Fluted Cordless Table Lamp from Serena & Lily or Target's Woven Cordless Light by Threshold.
'Replacing an existing pendant or ceiling fixture with a new sculptural pendant or semi flush mount introduces scale and material interest. This draws the eye upward and contributes to a more designer appearance,' she adds.
Take inspiration from this year's kitchen lighting trends with GreenRow's Recycled Glass Ruffle Pendant or The Eloise Scallop Milk Glass Petite Pendant Ceiling Light from Anthropologie.
3. Elevate Your Backsplash to Become a Focal Point
Nothing gives a kitchen a cheap look like a stubby backsplash. It feels builder-grade rather than custom, so if you want to create a more expensive feel, add pretty tiles for an eye-catching finish.
'Replacing or adding backsplash tile helps to make a kitchen feel more elevated. The investment in more quality selections can often cost you hundreds of dollars versus thousands. These upgrades can make a space look more sophisticated and complete,' says Kelly Emerson, senior designer at Aidan Design.
For anyone currently working with a stubby, underwhelming kitchen backsplash, consider elongating your design with tiles that continue all the way to the ceiling. This approach instantly feels elevated and more expensive, even if it isn't.
'Replacing a short backsplash with a full-height backsplash behind the range or sink creates a more continuous vertical surface. This removes visual breaks that often make kitchens feel builder-grade,' suggests Mary.
This works even if you have a short slab backsplash, such as marble or quartzite. Mixed material backsplashes are having a moment, and stone paired with tiles creates a more textural, dynamic look.
4. Swap Out Your Cabinet Hardware
Just as you would elevate an outfit with accessories, the small details in your kitchen have the ability to create a more expensive look. Swapping out basic kitchen hardware designs for something more elegant can make all the difference.
'Cabinet hardware is commonly recognized as the jewelry of the kitchen. The easiest trick to make your space look elevated is to swap generic handles with timeless unlacquered brass or polished nickel pulls and knobs,' says Lauren.
There are a few options here, from decorative brass handles, such as the Amerock Champagne Bronze Cabinet Pull from Target, or you can take the approach of some of this year's biggest kitchen hardware trends by introducing backplates.
Wayfair's Emtek Ribbon and Reed Backplate, which adds a vintage-inspired detail, or Anthropologie's Sylvie Knobs, which add a more decorative look, bring a timeless detail that feels instantly more expensive.
And it's not just the hardware design to consider, but also the placement. 'Adjusting the scale or placement of cabinet hardware can subtly change the perceived proportion of the cabinetry. This can make the cabinetry feel more substantial and custom,' adds Mary.
5. Add Trim To Elongate Cabinetry
Short cabinets can make a kitchen look basic, not to mention they make a space look smaller than it really is. But luckily, there is a relatively easy way to fix them without investing in full replacements.
'Adding simple molding or trim that connects cabinetry to the ceiling introduces a finished woodwork detail. This gives the kitchen a more built-in and thoughtfully crafted appearance,' says Mary. You can find lots of options at most DIY stores, such as Endurathane Classic Crown Moulding from Wayfair.
You can go as classic or creative as you want with this. Kitchen cabinet hats are a great way to create a less utilitarian look in a kitchen, while traditional trim gives a sense of timeless elegance. In this kitchen, the clients wanted something more playful, opting for moldings shaped like castle turrets. It's fun, yet still feels sophisticated.
6. Created a Dedicated Nook For Your Favorite Rituals
A custom kitchen always feels more expensive, and an easy way to make your scheme more personalized is to introduce dedicated nooks tailored to your needs, whether it's a coffee nook or a home bar.
'Designating a small coffee or beverage station on a tray or beneath a shelf introduces a hotel feeling within the kitchen. This creates a sense of order and gives daily rituals an intentional place,' says Mary.
A coffee station has been created in this kitchen with a simple console table and two shelves mounted to the wall above to house cups, jars, and smaller essentials. A brass rail (similar to Anthropologie's Amara Brass Utensil Rail) creates space for mugs to hang on display, high enough to leave space for a coffee maker below.
7. Elevate Everyday Kitchenware
Making your kitchen feel more expensive really can be as simple as elevating your everyday kitchenware and curating beautiful decor. It can be as small or as expansive as you wish, as long as it feels curated and intentional.
'Using wooden trays or marble boards to group everyday items introduces texture and material contrast. This helps the kitchen feel more organized and thoughtfully maintained,' Mary suggests. McGee & Co's Longfellow Breadboard comes in three sizes for a layered look, or Pottery Barn's Marquee Marble Cheeseboard is a chic way to bring in a stone accent.
If space is tight, look at ways to make essentials work harder. 'Displaying a ceramic bowl of fruit, stacked plates, or a small framed print leaning against a backsplash personalizes the space. This reinforces the idea of a kitchen as a place for gathering,' she adds.
8. Make Space For a Cozy Eat-In Area
There's something intrinsically luxurious about a Parisian bistro, with small, intimate tables that instantly conjure a more expensive feel. And a cozy eat-in area is the perfect way to level up your kitchen.
It's an approach that proves fruitful whether your kitchen is small or large, and adds a dedicated seating space for dining, socializing, or even working. All you need is an empty corner to add a charming little bistro set – Target's Christopher Knight Home Mid Century Modern 3 Piece Bistro Set is great for a wooden option. For a classic metal design, consider this Bistro Table and Chairs Set, which can be used indoors and out.
You can then elevate the space with decor and accessories, such as a low-hanging pendant (this Tala Plug-In Pendant from West Elm means you don't need to rewire), some pretty artwork on the walls, and perhaps even a pretty table linen. This Natural Linen Checkered Tablecloth from Etsy brings in a charming pattern.
This is your sign to pay attention to the smaller details to make your kitchen feel more expensive. Swaps as simple as new cabinet pulls or elevated versions of your kitchen essentials make all the difference to the look and feel of your space without investing too much time or money.
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