UPDATE YOUR COOK SPACE

Clever ideas for revitalising your kitchen, without breaking the bank

- AMELIA THORPE

NEW WORKTOP

Kitchen counters see plenty of wear and tear, so it may be time for a spruce up with a new top for existing cabinets. Measure your current surfaces, including cutouts for sinks, taps and hobs, and use that information to brief a worktop fabricator. Your choice of material will depend on your taste, budget and approach to stains, as some surfaces, such as marble, tend to be more porous than manufactured materials. 'Choose what feels natural for your space,' advises Will Eaves, design co-ordinator at British Standard by Plain English. For example, wood worktops instantly add warmth, whereas bold worktops like this mottled jade terrazzo - bring a playful finish.' 

COUNTER SKIRTS

'A curtain or skirt is a fabulous and inexpensive way to bring pattern to a kitchen while covering an open cupboard,' says fabric designer Vanessa Arbuthnott. 'Modern kitchens can become rather formulaic, and skirts are a vehicle for creating an individual look. Washable linens and cottons work well and are simple to make. Hem the fabric on three sides, then finish the top so that it will turn over your choice of rod or curtain wire, fixed tightly to the underside of the worktop. If the skirt is for a wide opening, make two curtains so that it is easy to access the cupboard,' advises Vanessa. For added effect, allow for a frill above the rod to hide the gap below the worktop.