Photo from Our Kitchen Tour

I’ve been feeling inspired lately to do a mini refresh in the kitchen. We recently renovated our kitchen, so I’m not interested in a significant makeover or big budget alterations — just a light update that makes the kitchen feel more fresh and organized for the summer months. As I’m sure many of you can relate to, we spend a lot of time as a family in the kitchen and with summer approaching, I know we will spend even more time around the table and making the kids meals while they are out of school for summer break. Plus, we love entertaining this time of year, and it’s nice to feel inspired by your kitchen space when prepping for guests.

Today I’m talking about seven budget-friendly ways to give your kitchen an inspiring refresh for the change in seasons. I go back to these every few months when things feel unorganized or just a bit dull. Read on below and share your own home refresh tips in the comments!

Photo from Brighton Keller

Purge Your Pantry (& Fridge!)

This step is at the top of my list because it’s the least fun and I like to get it over with! I try to clean out our fridge and pantry as I go, but it’s not usually at the top of my priority list, so things can get a little chaotic in there. When we renovated our kitchen I had an amazing professional organizer sort all of my utensils, spices, food, etc. Now it’s in maintenance mode, but things can get out of hand quickly! Every few months our kitchen needs a purge to keep things tidy and organized. If you feel like your kitchen is too far gone to manage a purge yourself, I would highly recommend finding an expert!  Sometimes it’s easiest to take everything out and then put the puzzle pieces back together. Nothing gives a better sense of a clean slate than an organized kitchen!

Caroline hosts a summer supper club | HOUSE of HARPER

Photo from our Summer Supper Club

Mix in New Patterns with the Old

While it’s great to have your basic plates and serving ware, it’s so fun to mix and match them with new trendy statement pieces. Whether it’s a new set of bowls, glassware, placemats, or hand towels, a seasonal print will make your kitchen feel updated and also make hosting more fun. 🙂 There are so many amazing and affordable home decor collaborations right now like Draper James for Crate and Barrel, the Aerin Collection by Williams Sonoma, and Hearth & Hand with Magnolia for Target.

Photo courtesy of The Ivory Lane

Find Cookbooks that Inspire You

Beautiful books are not just for the living room. I love having a stack of gorgeous cookbooks in my kitchen for inspiration as I plan dinner. There are so many I can’t wait to try like Magnolia TableThe Love and Lemons Cookbook, Healthyish, Giada’s Italy, and The Austin Cookbook.

Photo courtesy of Pink Peonies

Accessorize with Seasonal Fruit and Flowers

Refreshing your kitchen can be as easy as displaying fresh fruits and flowers on your counter. I treat myself to flowers every week at the grocery store; it’s a small luxury that makes our home feel cheerful and chic! I especially love to have fresh fruit on the counter when guests are in town so that they feel free to help themselves instead of having to rummage through the fridge.

Photo from Our Kitchen Tour

Create a Coffee & Tea Nook

I’m a huge coffee drinker, and I love having a designated coffee nook in the kitchen. It’s a small thing that makes me so happy in the morning — even in the midst of frazzled mornings getting the boys to school, I have an organized place for my morning fuel. It’s a little luxury! If you don’t have space for a dedicated nook, organize all of your coffee or tea essentials on a tray. Place your coffee or tea bags in pretty canisters instead of keeping them in the box, pull out your favorite china sugar bowl, stack your go-to coffee mugs, and start of your morning feeling a little more inspired than before.

Photo courtesy of Pink Peonies

Upgrade Your Barstools

We recently swapped out the barstools in our kitchen and it made the biggest difference! There are lots of budget-friendly barstool options on the market, so updating them is a relatively inexpensive way to refresh your kitchen decor. I love the idea of having more than one set of barstools to swap out for different seasons. Wicker and bamboo barstools are perfect for summer, while dark wood or upholstered barstools are cozier for fall and winter months.

Photo courtesy of Camille Styles

Brighten Things Up With Colorful Art

A piece of art can completely transform a space. Thanks to websites like Minted, 20×200, Urban OutfittersSociety6,and Art.com, buying a new painting or photograph doesn’t mean you have to make a huge investment. Buy a print that you love or support a budding artist and feel great about the new mood that it sets in your kitchen.

I would love to hear your thoughts on how to best refresh your kitchen in the comments below! xo