In most homes, the kitchen is the most important room. It is where we prepare meals, entertain, gather the family, do homework, and even create small offices. With all of this use comes many things that need upgrading, fixing, or sprucing up. To get the most out of the kitchen, here are 10 kitchen projects everyone should know about. 

1. Reface Kitchen Cabinets.

The costs of buying or building new cabinets can add up quick. Refacing might be a more affordable option for you — and can add 10 years of life to your cabinets.

2. Replace the kitchen sink

The kitchen sink gets used a lot, and will need to be replaced from time to time. You may even want to upgrade to giver your sink more use and longevity. Many homeowners will be pleasantly surprised at the new advances for sinks now available, so don’t forget to check in on your options from time to time.

3. Choose new cabinet knobs and pulls.

This isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are countless styles of pulls, knobs, hinges and more to make sense of. Our ideabook helps you get started on kitchen hardware.

4. Organize everything.

From the pantry and shelves to the cabinets and appliances, we accumulate a lot of stuff in our kitchens. What you need is a full-on game plan to get everything in order.

5. Build a mail and message center.

Of course, clutter comes from outside the kitchen too, in the form of mail, notes, keys and more. Take control over the mess with your own message center.

6. Make a stand for tablets and cookbooks.

It sounds pretty basic, but this little accessory will make your life in the kitchen so much easier.

7. Install a kitchen backsplash.

A new kitchen tile backsplash can dramatically change the way your kitchen looks and feels. The great thing is that, if you’re choosing tile, it’s a project you might be able to do yourself.

8. Add storage to your backsplash. 

Already got a backsplash but want to make better use of it? Installing systems for hanging utensils and pans is a great way to maximize that wall.

9. Add toe-kick storage.

When you can’t make more room in the cabinets and drawers you have, it’s time to add more. There are a lot of little nooks and crannies in your kitchen that can be turned into storage. For example, those fake, unopenable drawers beneath your sink can be turned into a small tip-out tray perfect for sponges and other small items. Similarly, the “toe kick” area beneath your cupboards is just empty, wasted space—so take it out and build some simple drawers there for extra storage along the floor.

10. Improve Your Lighting

Ideally, your kitchen would have lots of natural light just like the rest of your home. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way, especially in apartment buildings. If you find you need some extra light in your kitchen to see what you’re doing (or read your recipes), consider installing some under-cabinet kitchen lighting. All you need are some LEDs or cold cathodes—they’re cheap and easy to install. If you want, you could even automate them with a motion sensitive power strip or something similar.