The Simple DIY That Instantly Makes Your Kitchen Look More Expensive

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Maybe you've been contemplating the idea of renovating your entire kitchen, but the big price tag is holding you back. Or maybe you've been eyeing your tile backsplash, wishing you could rip it down and start again, or at the very least, re-grout it without all of the hassle. Thankfully, there's a product made exactly for those types of DIY projects: a grout pen. There's no need to spend thousands of dollars on a kitchen reno — sometimes all you need to make the entire room look high-end is to touch up your grout lines.

Grout (the material between your kitchen tiles) tends to stain easily, especially when it's in high-traffic areas like directly behind the sink or counter. Several types of grout are available, but this material is typically made of a cement or epoxy base that's mixed with water, sand, and other ingredients. Some DIY grout cleaners include cream of tartar, laundry detergent, or even shaving cream and lemon juice. This thick paste fills up the gaps between tiles, keeping everything stable. Over time, your grout may fade or stain, causing it to lose its original color and make your space look dingy or messy. With the easy fix of a grout pen, you can brighten up the material back to its original color or change the shade completely.

Grout pens cover the spaces between your tiles in a paint-like coating to hide stains or completely redo your kitchen's look. These tools can cover up to 150 feet of grouting, and their color lasts anywhere from six months to a year. This is also about how often you should clean your tile grout (depending on how much traffic the area gets), but make sure you give it an extra scrub before applying the pen to ensure the area is clear of any grease or mold. Allow your grout to dry completely before applying the new product.

You can snag a two-pack of these pens on Amazon for about $20. To apply, shake the pen to mix the paint. Next, press down on the tip to allow the paint to come through, then apply it to your grout, squeezing the pen as you go. Allow the paint to set on your grout for at least 24 hours before it comes into contact with water.

There are countless tile and grout combinations to choose from to keep your kitchen looking sleek and bold. You can either choose a pen that's the same shade as your original grout to brighten it up, or you can select a brand-new color to line your tile work. If you originally had white grout but it has faded to a yellow or gray shade, a white pen will transform your kitchen from dirty to sparkling clean in just a few minutes. Just be aware that if your grout is structurally damaged or crumbling, a grout pen will not adhere it back together.