Kitchen Remodel Ideas: From Quick Fixes to Major Overhauls
Whether you’re looking to refresh your kitchen with a few simple updates or embark on a complete gut renovation, there are countless kitchen remodel ideas to inspire you. Here are 35 ideas to get you started:
Small-Scale Kitchen Remodel Ideas
1. Bring the Outdoors In: Maximize natural light and incorporate natural materials to create a biophilic design that connects your kitchen to the outdoors.
2. Choose Colorful Cabinets: Embrace the mood-boosting power of color by opting for bright and cheerful cabinet shades that add personality to your space.
3. Hang an Extra-Long Shelf: Match your countertops and backsplash in the same slab marble and finish it off with a matching wall-to-wall display shelf for a sleek, modern look.
4. Install an Appliance Garage: Utilize the underutilized space between your countertops and upper cabinets with an appliance garage that keeps essential appliances like coffee makers and blenders hidden but easily accessible.
5. Install Greener Appliances: If you’re gutting your kitchen, consider replacing your gas stove with a sleek and energy-efficient induction range or cooktop for a more eco-friendly cooking experience.
6. Try a Warm Palette: Beige has made a comeback as an easy way to transition from an all-white kitchen to one with a bit more warmth. Choose light wood cabinetry to complement finishes such as sandy beige backsplash and floor tiles.
7. Try a Waterfall Edge Island: Modernize your kitchen with a waterfall island featuring large slabs of stone that create a striking focal point and add drama to your space.
8. Install Colorful Floor Tile: Elevate your kitchen’s style with bold, colorful floor tiles in a geometric pattern that complements your walls and accents.
9. Hang Modern Light Fixtures: A pair of modern pendant lights hung over the kitchen island will instantly update your kitchen while providing ambient lighting.
10. Try an All-Black Kitchen: An all-black kitchen is a versatile and sophisticated choice that provides a moodier and more dramatic look.
Mid-Scale Kitchen Remodel Ideas
11. Install Open Shelving: Replace upper cabinets with open shelving on one wall of a small kitchen to make it feel airier and more spacious.
12. Reuse and Repurpose: Keep sustainability in mind by reusing and repurposing old materials in your kitchen remodel, such as reclaimed wood for shelving and flooring.
13. Install LED Lighting: Install energy-efficient LED lighting beneath the upper cabinetry to provide task lighting for countertops and create a modern look.
14. Add a Shiplap Backsplash: A white shiplap backsplash can add a touch of farmhouse charm or complement modern, traditional, or transitional spaces.
15. Hang Racks and Shelves: Lighten up your kitchen by skipping upper cabinetry and installing a variety of open and wall-mounted storage solutions instead.
16. Create a Breakfast Nook: Carve out space for a breakfast nook with banquette seating and built-in storage to create a cozy eat-in kitchen.
17. Try Two-Tone Cabinetry: Give a small kitchen dimension by combining two-tone cabinetry in contrasting colors or finishes.
18. Mix Old and New Finishes: Mix old and new, dark and light, and smooth and textured finishes for a timeless and eclectic look.
Major Kitchen Remodel Ideas
19. Try an Earth Tone: Dip your toes into trending earth tones with a soothing shade of sage green for your cabinets or backsplash, creating a nature-inspired feel.
20. Use Hardwood Flooring: Install warm hardwood flooring throughout your kitchen and dining or living room for a cohesive and inviting look.
21. Uncover Original Features: If you live in an older home, your remodel may reveal hidden architectural features like original brick chimneys or stone walls that can add character and authenticity to your kitchen.
22. Try a Tonal Look: Create a modern and sophisticated look by using the same shade for your upper and lower cabinets, countertops, and backsplash.
23. Add a Tile Accent Wall: Make a statement by adding a feature wall with a countertop-to-ceiling tile backsplash in a bold color or pattern.
24. Choose Colorful Appliances: A colorful freestanding refrigerator or other appliance can add a fun and unique touch to your kitchen.
25. Mix Black and White: Refresh an all-white kitchen by adding a full-wall backsplash in a darker tone to create a timeless and dramatic look.
26. Wallpaper the Ceiling: Add a unique touch to your kitchen by wallpapering the ceiling with a bold or subtle pattern.
27. Paint the Range Hood: A scalloped hood vent painted in a contrasting color can add an unexpected element of surprise and style to your kitchen.
28. Add a Colorful Backsplash: Create an instant focal point in a neutral kitchen with a colorful tile backsplash that complements your cabinetry and flooring.
29. Refresh a Victorian Kitchen: Renovate a Victorian-style kitchen with classic white cabinets and black countertops for a fresh and modern look that respects the history of the space.
30. Choose Natural Wood: If your budget allows, invest in solid wood cabinetry that will last for years to come and add warmth and character to your kitchen.
31. Divide Space With an Island: A compact kitchen island with built-in storage can add functionality and help define zones in a small space.
32. Add a Mini Bar Counter: If you have a small galley-style kitchen, install cozy bar seating for two instead of a table to save space.
33. Add a Peninsula: In a smaller space where a kitchen island would be too large, consider a smaller kitchen peninsula instead.
34. Install Interior Shutters: Replace window shades with durable and charming interior wood shutters to add character and functionality to your kitchen.
35. Install Timeless Floor Tile: Choose classic black-and-white checkerboard floor tiles for a kitchen floor that will stand the test of time.
