6 Tricks to Make Your Kitchen Look Expensive, Straight From Designers

Dated cabinets, dingy backsplashes, and forgettable generic light fixtures, oh my—designing any room on a budget is a challenge, but that’s especially the case with a kitchen.

Every element in a kitchen, from appliances to tiles to cabinets, can becostly to replace. Still, there are easy and wallet-friendly ways to create a classic kitchen that looks expensive—without maxing out your credit card. 

For insiders’ knowledge, we asked interior designers how to make a kitchen look expensive, even if it’s not. Your secret’s safe with us—no one has to know.

Design by Jill Howard Design Studio / Photo by Blake Shorter

For an expensive-looking kitchen, mosey past the punchy colors in the paint chip aisle. Kerrie Kelly, an interior designer, suggests choosing a timeless color palette, such as a deep hue or any neutral.

“It sounds simple, but a fresh coat will always make a difference,” interior designer Kristina Phillips says.

Consider a midnight blue or forest green for a colorful kitchen backsplash or elegant cabinets. Or, stick to classic shades of gray, white, black, or beige for a neutral landscape. Mix in warm wood tones to layer rich texture throughout your kitchen’s design.

Design by Jill Howard Design Studio / Photo by Blake Shorter

A bare window looked unfinished, but one outfitted with a treatment gives any space (including a kitchen!) a high-end feel. Window treatments provide privacy, while also filtering sunlight and making your space overall more upscale. 

Interior designer Julie Mitchiner of JAM Interior Design agrees.

“Window treatments, and particularly drapery, really add a finishing layer that makes a room feel more complete,” she says.

Design by Annie Hamnett / Photo by Margaret Wright

If your budget