Drawers and cupboards

If the insides of drawers and shelves are unable to be brought back to new with a good wash then consider lining them with contact paper or non-skid matting. 

If you have an older kitchen where the shelves have been edged with iron-on tape that has lifted or broken off, you can buy new edge tape and iron it on yourself.

Buy a new cutlery insert if the existing one is stained or damaged. Mitre 10 have a range of these, including one that will expand to fit a 600mm wide drawer and it has a matching utensil insert too. 

For those with modest DIY skills, sanding back your cupboard doors and repainting them in contemporary colours is a real option and reasonably low cost. Always take your time with the sanding and preparation, as this is what will determine a quality outcome.

Cabinet handles

Revitalise the kitchen cabinetry with a really simple exercise, replace the handles with more stylish, up-todate ones. Go for a more contemporary look to appeal to you or potential buyers. Older kitchens will have handles with 96mm between the screw holes. It is important to measure this before going out to buy replacements. This measurement can limit the choice but there are many options in the Sylvan range. Hafele also have longer handles available with modern and sleek designs up to 136mm long, but with screw holes at 96mm For a country or cottage look kitchen, you could choose an antiqued drawer pull, bronzed and brushed, in gold or black, which will add real character.