6 kitchen improvement ideas in time for Christmas

Now here's some food for thought: With Christmas just under a month away, how's your kitchen looking? Up to task? Or in desperate need of some festive spirit? In this article, we’ll show you 6 easy and cost-effective ways you can improve your kitchen in time for Christmas.

Whatever you think about Christmas, there’s no denying that it’s still one of the best times to invite friends and family into your home. And, with well over a month to go until the big day, there’s plenty of time to think about getting things ready for your guests.

Whilst your living spaces get most of the attention, it’s the more functional areas of your home which potentially need some TLC. If you’ve already refurbished your downstairs cloakroom, what is there left to do?

Well, one of the hubs of activity during the festive period is the kitchen. Whether it’s cooking the roast dinner on the special day itself, preparing some nibbles or simply whipping up the odd leftover turkey sandwich, it’s a vitally important part of the household. So, to help get things really cooking this Christmas, we’ve come up with these 6 easy ways to improve your kitchen.

1. Make tea without missing the festivities

If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed over Christmas (aside from a Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special!), it’s that you’ll spend an amazing amount of time on your feet making hot drinks for people.

Instead of constantly filling and refilling the kettle and waiting for it to boil again and again, isn’t there an easier way? Thankfully, your festive dreams have been answered.

By replacing your standard tap with an instant boiling water tap, you can spend more time enjoying yourself and less time wandering to and from the kitchen.

Most boiling water taps perform the exact same function as a standard tap, with both hot and cold flows, but with the added bonus of boiling water whenever you need it. Plus, to prevent you or your loved ones spending Christmas Day in A&E, all come with a safety handle to help avoid accidental scalding. See our instant boiling water tap buying guide and find out if it’s the right choice for you.

2. Think about your sink

With the amount of washing up that accumulates over the Christmas period, your kitchen can end up sinking without trace amidst a sea of pots, pans, roasting dishes, crockery and cutlery.

Well, to combat that “sinking” feeling (see what I did there?), perhaps it’s time to invest in a new kitchen sink that better suits your needs?

The sink pictured above, known as a Belfast sink, is ideal for more traditional kitchen designs. However, with a large variety of shapes, sizes and materials available, you really can carefully choose one that both meets your requirements and complements the look and feel of your décor.

If, for example, you do a lot of washing up, a 1.5 bowl design (which features a separate rinser) is a great choice, especially if you need to drain the dregs from your guests’ drinks or rinse those all-important sprouts.

Check out our kitchen sink buying guide for more info.

3. Keep things warm and welcoming…

Don’t forget, during those Yuletide celebrations, even your kitchen can get a little chilly, especially if your current radiator isn’t up to the job. Whilst bleeding your radiator may offer a temporary improvement, it may be worth investing in something that is far more efficient.

If you have little in the way of wall space, why not consider a column radiator in a vertical orientation, instead of a horizontal design? With advanced manufacturing techniques, you’re no longer restricted to just a handful of styles, colours or finishes. To complement your kitchen, why not go for something infinitely more designer? It’ll certainly wow your festive guests!

Read our radiators buying guide to find out more.

4. …but don’t get hot under the collar

If things get too hot and steamy in your kitchen, you may have an issue with ventilation. During the summer, there’s usually no problem cracking open a window, however, in the deep mid-winter, it can leave your home feeling very chilly indeed, so what’s the solution?

An extractor fan is usually the best way to quickly remove steam and humidity from your kitchen and, the great thing is, they are relatively inexpensive to purchase. You will need a specialist tradesperson to come and fit it but, in the long run, it'll help prevent unsightly mould forming on ceilings and walls.

5. Wrap up those walls and floors

With all that time spent carefully wrapping up presents, perhaps it's time to lavish some attention on your kitchen walls and floors? Peeling, flaky paintwork and stained or cracked flooring certainly doesn't look very festive.

At the very least, why not set some time aside to give your bathroom a fresh coat of paint. Don't forget to use specialist kitchen paint which features an anti-mould formula and low levels of VOCs (the slightly unpleasant chemicals which are added to paints).

If you still have a little bit left in the Christmas fund, why not brighten things up with some new kitchen tiles? These artisan-style tiles from our Annecy range (pictured below) will certainly make a bold style statement.

If your flooring has seen better days, vinyl or laminate kitchen flooring offers a quick, easy and stylish solution. If you're competent at DIY, you can even fit it yourself—so no need to call on a professional. With an easy-to-clean surface, it's perfect for those inevitable spills during the festive period.

6. Lighten up a little

“In the bleak midwinter” isn’t just a carol, it’s a state of mind during the festive season, which is why your kitchen lighting is more important ever. With a mere 7 to 8 hours of daylight on Christmas Day (depending on where you live in the UK), illumination is key.

To get the mood just right, perhaps it’s time to switch your kitchen lighting for something that is a little more subtle and energy-efficient? Plus, if you’re finding it hard to concentrate on chopping or cooking, maybe you need some additional task lighting?

Don’t forget, you should choose lighting with an IP rating that is suited to the area in which it’s being used. Find out more about IP ratings in our lighting buying guide.

Shop kitchens at VictoriaPlum.com

There’s still plenty of time to make those little changes to your kitchen. At Victoria Plum, we’ve used all our expertise in bathrooms to create a comprehensive kitchen range to suit budgets big and small, from the smallest kitchen sink waste to full fitted kitchen furniture. Click on the image below to begin browsing.