The kitchen is undoubtedly the heart of the home. It’s where we cook meals, gather with family and friends and increasingly work from home.
Given its essential role, it’s no surprise that many homeowners prioritize modernizing an outdated kitchen. Creating an updated kitchen that is both stylish and functional not only elevates the look and feel of your home but can also be a wise investment. According to the National Association of Realtors, kitchens are one of the most important rooms for potential home buyers, with many citing the kitchen as a key factor in their purchasing decisions.
BEFORE & AFTER
In this blog post, we’ll highlight the latest trends in kitchen remodeling and design, which can elevate your kitchen’s aesthetics while improving its functionality and value. Here are the kitchen improvements at the top of homeowners’ lists:
Upgrading Kitchen Cabinets
Revamping your kitchen cabinets can breathe new life into your kitchen. Depending on your budget and desired look, there are many ways to update your cabinets. Here’s how:
Define Your Style
The first step is to decide what style you want for your updated kitchen. This will influence your cabinet color, finish, hardware, and more choices. Here are a few popular options:
- Classic: Timeless and elegant, often featuring Shaker-style doors and a painted finish.
- Modern: A sleek, contemporary look. They may feature flat-panel doors, stainless steel hardware, and high-gloss finishes.
- Traditional: A warm and inviting feel, often featuring raised-panel doors and a wood finish.
- Rustic: Natural and unrefined, with distressed finishes or iron hardware.
Once you have a general idea of your desired style, you can narrow your options. Pinterest and Houzz are great tools for searching cabinet styles with real-life application photos for inspiration.
Color and Finish
The color and finish of your cabinets will significantly impact your kitchen’s overall look and feel. If you want your cabinets to be the space’s focal point, you may choose a bold color or a rich wood grain. If you prefer a more understated or subdued look, use a neutral color or light wood grain.
A mix of painted and wood cabinetry in the kitchen is on trend. As an overall design rule, a painted finish is a classic option that can be dressed up or down, while a stained finish can add warmth, depth, and character to your kitchen.
Adding Soft-Close Hinges
Soft-close hinges are a simple way to add a touch of luxury to your kitchen. They prevent cabinet doors and drawers from slamming shut, which can help reduce noise and wear and tear.
Glass Cabinet Doors
To incorporate light and dimension into your kitchen, try glass-front cabinet doors (and display lighting). These feature cabinets also showcase your favorite dishes or decorative items.
Incorporating Open Shelving
Open shelving can add visual interest and personality to your kitchen. It’s ideal for displaying necessities like plates, cookbooks, plants and other decorative items. Incorporating open shelving in a kitchen coffee station or wet bar is a stylish design choice that’s also highly functional by keeping essential items within arm’s reach.
Adding Pull-Out Drawers
To increase storage efficiency and accessibility, it’s hard to beat the functionality of pull-out drawers and organizers in kitchen cabinets. These increase the capacity of your cabinetry by making better use of space and reduce clutter and frustration by providing easy access to cabinets.
Functional Kitchen Upgrades
The kitchen upgrades you choose will impact how you use your newly remodeled space. Consider these essential kitchen design elements as you make design selections:
Enhanced Lighting
Upgrading your lighting fixtures can significantly improve the functionality and ambiance of your kitchen. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Task Lighting: Task lighting provides focused light for specific kitchen areas, such as the sink, prep area and stovetop. Under-cabinet lighting is a great option for task lighting, as it puts light exactly where you need it. Pendant lights over the countertop and island can also provide task lighting.
- Ambient Lighting: Ambient lighting provides general illumination for the entire kitchen. Recessed or can lighting is a popular choice for ambient lighting, as it can be evenly distributed throughout the space. Chandeliers, feature fixtures or sconces can also be used for an additional layer of ambient lighting—these lights can be used independently or with other light sources.
- Accent Lighting: Accent lighting highlights specific kitchen features, such as a backsplash or artwork. Track lighting is an excellent option for accent lighting, as it can be easily adjusted to focus on different areas.
Sink and Faucet Upgrades
Replacing your kitchen sink and faucet can significantly improve the functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen. Modern kitchen sinks and faucets offer a variety of features that can make food prep and cleanup more efficient; they can also be a focal point, elevating the overall look and feel of the space. Here are some popular options:
- Sink Material: Kitchen sinks are typically made from stainless steel, cast iron, granite composite or acrylic. Stainless steel is popular because it is durable, easy to clean, and relatively affordable. Cast iron sinks are also durable but can be more expensive and prone to chipping. Granite composite sinks are becoming increasingly popular because they are durable, stain-resistant and come in various colors. Acrylic sinks are a more budget-friendly option, but they can scratch more quickly than other materials.
- Sink Size and Style: The size and style of your sink will depend on your needs and the available space in your kitchen. Standard sink sizes include single basin, double basin and farmhouse sinks. Single-basin sinks offer the most counter space, while double-basin sinks provide more functionality for multitasking. Farmhouse sinks are large, deep sinks that are becoming increasingly popular. They can add a touch of vintage charm to your kitchen.
- Faucet Style and Features: Kitchen faucets come in various styles, including pull-down, pull-out and touchless. Pull-down faucets have a spray head that can be pulled down to rinse dishes or fill pots. Pull-out faucets have a spray head that pulls out from the spout. Touchless faucets turn on and off automatically when you touch them with your hand or arm, which can help reduce the spread of germs.
Workspace Organization
Creating a multipurpose area in your kitchen can significantly enhance its functionality and better use space. Here are a few ideas:
- Mobile Kitchen Island: A mobile kitchen island provides extra prep space, storage, and even seating when needed. It can be easily moved around the kitchen to accommodate different tasks.
- Peninsula Workstation: Use a counter- or bar-height peninsula to create an easy-access workstation—store essentials out of sight with pull-out shelves and organizers in base cabinets.
- Built-in Desk or Hutch: Consider adding a built-in desk or hutch to your kitchen if you have the space. This can provide a dedicated workspace for homework, meal planning or paying bills.
Spice and Utensil Organization
Keeping your spices and utensils organized can make a big difference in the efficiency of your kitchen. From drawer dividers and cabinet organizers to wall-mounted racks and Lazy Susan turntables, use custom dividers and shelves to help you organize your utensils based on how you work in your kitchen. These solutions help keep everyday items handy and free up counter space to make your kitchen look and feel more organized.
Backsplash Tile & Countertops
- Backsplash Material Options: The right material for your backsplash will depend on your style, budget and the other materials in your kitchen. For example, if you have granite countertops, you might want to choose a complementary stone backsplash, such as marble or travertine. Or, if you have a modern kitchen, you might opt for a glass or metal backsplash.
- Selecting a Color and Pattern: Once you’ve chosen a material for your backsplash, you’ll need to decide on a color and pattern. The backsplash is a great place to add color or pattern to your kitchen. However, choosing something that complements your kitchen aesthetic is also important. If you have busy countertops or cabinetry, choose a simpler backsplash. On the other hand, if your countertops and cabinetry are on the plain side, you can afford to be more daring with your backsplash.
- Choosing the Right Countertop for Your Lifestyle: From natural stone to budget-friendly laminate, kitchen countertop options are vast. Choose a material that makes the design statement you want, with the maintenance features you require:
- Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique patterns. Each slab is one-of-a-kind, offering a range of colors and finishes. Quartz: Engineered from natural quartz and resin, providing a non-porous surface that is easy to maintain and available in various colors. Marble: Valued for its timeless beauty, marble is ideal for baking centers due to its cool surface but requires regular maintenance to prevent staining. Laminate: A budget-friendly option that has come a long way in design, mimicking the look of more expensive materials without the high cost.
- Butcher Block: Adds warmth and a natural feel to your kitchen. Perfect for those who do a lot of chopping and prefer a surface that can be sanded and resealed.
Before making selections, assess how you use your kitchen. Families with children might prioritize durability and ease of cleaning, while avid cooks may prefer materials like marble or butcher block
Rely On Dover’s Professional Expertise for Your NE Ohio Kitchen Remodel
Revamping your kitchen doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. By strategically adding elements that enhance both style and functionality, you can create a beautiful space that suits your cooking and entertaining needs.
Remember, even small changes – new cabinetry, improved storage solutions, updated fixtures or a statement backsplash – can make a big impact. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider working with a professional like Dover. Our expertise can help you navigate the countless design options and ensure a kitchen that reflects your style and makes everyday tasks a breeze. It can also save you time and money:
- Craftsmanship. Installing a new countertop, backsplash or a complete kitchen remodel requires precise measurements and cuts. Partnering with a trusted contractor like Dover can help you confidently tackle your kitchen refresh.
- Durability. Proper installation guarantees your kitchen upgrades will withstand the test of time and use, maintaining its beauty and integrity.
The best is yet to come,
Beth Orr
