They say the home is where the heart is, but we all know the heart of the home is the kitchen. With everything that happens in your kitchen, keeping it organized can be a bit tough. In the seventh edition of our Head-to-Toe Home Reno series, we have a few storage tips and simple updating ideas to keep the heart of your home pumping as strong as ever.

Island Cabinets: We could all use more cabinets in our kitchen, right? Yes! So, if you have an island in your kitchen, make sure it is pulling double duty. It seems standard practice that kitchen islands have cabinets already built in, but you’d be surprised to find some actually don’t. Plus, if you are using a non-traditional island, it might not have the same amount of storage space as traditional ones. If you are lacking storage space, consider investing in a new island or re-purposing a piece of furniture like dry sinks, carts or even a small shelving unit.

Corner Drawers: The last thing you want in a kitchen, especially a small one, is wasted space. Cabinets have to be placed away from each other so that the doors can open properly, but corner drawers, with their unique “v” design, allow you to utilize that unused space in between. You can find them at your local hardware store, or you can build them yourself with these instructions.

Retractable Drawers: Add some retractable drawers underneath your kitchen sink to help keep cleaning supplies organized. You’ll be amazed at how much more room you have under your sink once everything is put in its proper place. These cabinet organizers can be found at large hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes.

Floating Shelves: Have you ever considered the space between your upper cabinets and countertop to be wasted space?  Believe it or not, that section of wall can provide some great shelving space for various items. Whether you have backsplash or not, adding a floating shelf is practical and adds some extra style to your kitchen. Floating shelves can hold wine glasses, spices, oils, vinegars or any other small container that doesn’t fit well in cabinets or takes up counter space. You can install the shelves yourself with either general directions or these specialty directions for kitchens with backsplash/tiled walls.

Paint the Cabinets: A great way to give your kitchen a cheap facelift is to paint your cabinets and drawers. Colored cabinets have been in style in recent years, boasting a modern, farmhouse chic look. Some common color choices include grey, mint, white, olive, greyish-blue and light yellow. If you need more ideas, check out Pinterest for tons of color inspiration or head to your local paint store and ask an associate for help.

New Backsplash: One of the best ways to add your own personal style to a kitchen is through adding backsplash or updating your current one. There are so many different patterns, colors, materials and styles of backsplash that you are guaranteed to find something you love. Choose between traditionally-installed backsplash or the newer peel and stick kind that makes updating and re-decorating a breeze. Shop around at Lowes, Home Depot and any other local hardware store for different options. Or, browse Pinterest to see hundreds of ideas, including ones that you may have never seen before.

New Accents: Sometimes it’s the smallest details that can have the biggest impact. If you want to give your kitchen an overall updated look, examine the smaller elements like the sink faucet, cabinet handles and light switch plates. Change out the gold or polished silver for new accents in brushed nickel or bronze. These tiny changes might make all the difference. Go with a colored, textured or beveled light switch plate to add depth and an element of sophistication. All of these items can be found at chain stores like Lowes and Home Depot, or you can shop local at your town’s family-owned hardware store.

Come back next week and we’ll explore renovation and storage ideas for your dining room. See you then!