The Kitchen Upgrade That Hilary Farr Wishes People Would Stop Wasting Money On

A stunning kitchen remodel is the stuff of dreams. The invoice for that makeover, though? That's more the stuff of nightmares. Sure, there are plenty of kitchen upgrades that are worth the price, but there are also loads of so-called must-haves that are wildly overpriced.

There's one item in particular that grinds the gears of HGTV star Hilary Farr. as she designs rooms that strike the elusive balance between playful, opulent, and comfortable. So it's no surprise that when it comes to kitchen hardware, she . She's got the chops to back up her claims. The best kitchen makeovers we've seen from Hilary Farr all showcase creative and quirky ways to infuse a kitchen with style and personality without having to spend big on hardware you might grow to regret.

One of Farr's biggest reasons for steering clear of statement hardware? It's too big of a distraction. quirky knobs the focal point of a kitchen is too visually overwhelming. Using m. Farr suggests anything  into cabinets, such as integrated handles.

And don't forget that statement-worthy hardware trends can come and go. As soon as you fall in love with bold brass knobs, for example, you might feel it's a dated kitchen hardware trend and start looking for stylish alternatives. By adopting the . That doesn't have to mean boring — you can take big design swings elsewhere throughout the room — but it does mean that your kitchen can still look worthy of a magazine spread even if opinions about hardware shift in coming years.