With quick advancements in design techniques, homeowners often find themselves seeking inexpensive yet dramatically noticeable options for updating their kitchens. Hundreds of design and decorating ideas hit the market each year, and on average, they remain a favorable trend for around five years. The sooner you complete your updates, the longer you’ll enjoy a modern space.
No matter your budget, there are plenty of choices and quick do-it-yourself projects available. Taking care of minor updates in the kitchen on your own can save you well over half the cost of hiring a professional. With proper education and research, updating your kitchen can be both successful and enjoyable.
Before beginning any updates in your home, it is crucial to break down the key elements of the room. In a kitchen, this includes the walls, flooring, countertops and backsplash, appliances, cabinets, hardware, and lighting. From these, you must choose your priorities according to your budget. Once you have decided which elements will give you the most dramatic updated look, you can begin.
The Walls
Color and texture are key in today’s modern design. Faux finishes, textured walls, and bold colors can transform a kitchen from outdated to contemporary. Don’t be afraid to let your personal style shine through with vivid colors and striking designs. Neutral tones and muted styles are a thing of the past, as many homeowners now choose to reflect their individuality. This gives you a great opportunity to share an interesting kitchen with friends and family—so take advantage of it!
While patterned and colorful wallpaper may be out, wallpaper still has a place in modern homes. Many types of wallpaper can be used for texturing and can be painted to add color. This cost-effective solution avoids the mess of traditional wall texturing, which often ends up looking nothing like you intended.
The Flooring
Time has shown that wood flooring is one of the best investments a homeowner can make in any room. Once popular a hundred years ago, wood flooring is still admired today for its quality and longevity. Install it now, and you can cross this element off your list of updates for many years to come.
Fresh ideas for modern decorating include laying wood flooring at a diagonal or creating shapes within the space. One trendy option is to create a border around the room and then lay the flooring traditionally (vertically or horizontally) inside the border. This approach adds design interest and can make your kitchen feel larger by guiding the eye around the space.
The Countertops and Backsplash
Techniques and products for countertops and backsplashes have undergone significant changes in the last ten years. Once considered the cheapest option, laminate is no longer the most cost-effective or functional material. Today, you can choose from many great materials at low cost, including natural stone, man-made stone, concrete, tile, stainless steel, and even specially made woods.
Currently, concrete and stainless steel are excellent countertop and backsplash options. Low-maintenance concrete countertops and virtually maintenance-free stainless steel backsplashes rank high on many kitchen update lists. If you’re concerned about the industrial look of these materials, you’ll be pleased to know that color options for both concrete and stainless steel have greatly expanded, giving you endless choices to achieve your desired look.
The Cabinets
To make your kitchen update the most dramatic, focus much of your attention on the cabinets. Being the foundation and most noticeable element in the kitchen, this is where you have the greatest opportunity to make a significant change. Paint and stain are your primary options, but this doesn’t limit your design choices. Hundreds of colors in both stain and paint give you the freedom to create exactly what you envision.
For a modern feel, consider using several tones of the same color for your cabinets. This approach creates dimension and interest. Darker colors on the top cabinets paired with lighter colors on the bottom can create a cozy atmosphere, while lighter top cabinets with darker bottoms can make the space feel larger and tidier.
The Hardware
Finishing the look of your kitchen lies in the details, and hardware is the most important of these elements. To fully capitalize on this design aspect, consider a complete hardware overhaul, including drawer pulls, cabinet door handles, and hinges. Coordinating these elements will give your kitchen a polished and cohesive appearance.
As for color choices and current trends, the options are endless. Bronze, silver, black, white, and more are available to complement any style. When selecting hardware, the most important rule is to maintain flow by staying within the same color family. Varying the style of hardware is acceptable as long as the colors match, creating a finished look.
The Lighting
The lighting of your kitchen ultimately defines the mood of your space. If you’re aiming for a soft, romantic ambiance, go for dim and sparse lighting. For a more energetic atmosphere, opt for bold and bright options. Regardless of the mood, the key is to review what you have, what you need, and what you want. Strike a balance between functionality and design to get the most out of your lighting choices.
Today’s lighting rule is to take something essential and functional and turn it into art. Each lighting fixture can bring more shape, style, and color into your kitchen. For added dramatic interest, choose similar or matching fixtures and upgrade the globes for more color. Instead of a traditional chandelier, consider a pendant light or a group of them. These fixtures are admired for their simple detail and bold appearance.
The beauty of updating your kitchen today is the freedom it gives you to express yourself. Remember that this is your kitchen and your design—seize the opportunity to showcase your personality to your guests. Whether you lean toward the bold and dramatic or prefer the subtle and simple, you’ll gain great satisfaction knowing your kitchen is modern and stylish.
