Your kitchen is where you spend most of your time no matter what the season. Seeing images of bright, airy and colourful kitchens may give you the itch to redecorate your Northern Irish kitchen. Don’t get us wrong at Torbitts we would be more than happy to revamp your kitchen but there are other, less costly ways to get your kitchen ready for summer.

Bring nature inside

Outdoor kitchens are beautiful but they just aren’t very practical in Northern Ireland. But just because you have a Northern Ireland kitchen does not mean you can’t bring that summer vibe to your kitchen. 

Using plants to brighten up your kitchen has become a huge trend in the last few years. Aloe Vera is a classic kitchen plant, as it is bright, needs sunlight and has a practical side. If you get a burn while cooking just pinch the outer leaf and squeeze a little onto your finger! Sticking with the practical plants, any type of herb is great for a kitchen plant! Small pots of basil and rosemary will thrive in your kitchen with some sunlight and you also have the benefit of fresh herbs to cook with. 

If you want to go full garden vibes, English Ivy has become very popular this year hanging around many kitchens in Northern Ireland to create that summer kitchen vibe. You can get fresh ivy in a pot and let it grow to whatever length it grows or you can purchase fake English Ivy that would be easier to control! 

Don’t forget about fresh flowers! Your summer kitchen is never complete without a fresh bunch of flowers in the midst of it all.

A pop of colour

Adding colour to your kitchen can be a simple way to give your average kitchen that summer kitchen vibe. Our favourite way to increase colour and brighten your kitchen is to add tea towels and different appliances. Colourful tea towels can be easily sought out in any homeware stores or even supermarkets! And you won’t pay dear for them. Coloured kitchen appliances and cutlery is another way to add a pop of colour to your kitchen and it won’t break the bank. Of course you can get brightly coloured microwaves and kettles but if you only wish to keep the colour for the summer then simply replacing cutlery from plain wooden or black to bright colours you can achieve your summer kitchen. 

Never underestimate the effect of a large bowl filled with colourful summer fruits! Keeping your fruit bowl stocked up throughout the summer months will give you that summer feeling as well as keeping you and your family healthy!

That summer kitchen smell

We have covered how your kitchen looks but everyone knows smell is a very powerful sense that can affect your mood. Create a sense of summer in your kitchen with summer smells. 

Summer smells are different for different people. Some like earthy smells while others prefer fruity smells. Whatever your preference, candles are one of the ways you can create that summer vibe in your kitchen. 

Lets not forget another easy way to create your summer kitchen… cooking! Everyone talks about winter cooking smells in our kitchen like gingerbread men, turkey dinners, cinnamon cookies but what about summertime cooking? You may be thinking what could these smells be, well we have a few thoughts!

• Citrus 
• Coriander 
• Anything on the BBQ
• Garlic 
• Spices 
• Fried fruit (rhubarb crumble!)

See, there are many ways to revamp your kitchen for summer without breaking the bank! But if you are interested in a revamp or redecorating your kitchen contact us today.