Giving Your Kitchen A Facelift? Top 7 Features Of A Modern Kitchen Remodel

Kitchens are the focal point in almost every home. From the way they look to the way they feel, the way it’s designed can have a huge impact. If you’re ready to give yours a facelift, here are 7 critical pieces you’ll want to incorporate.

A Multifunctional Island

Kitchen islands are a great way to expand the footprint of your kitchen’s workspace. They can house additional cabinet space, your kitchen sink, or your stovetop. If you have the space, consider adding an island that can add seating space as well. Installing a pan rack above your island is another great way to free up cabinet space. Even if you can only install a small island, make sure it serves your kitchen in a way that’s functional.

If you want an elegant multifunctional island to become the focal point of your kitchen—a space in your home where you can find family photos of different occasions, which can become conversation pieces in the future—consider calling a reputable home renovation Toronto specialist who can help get this done professionally. 

Updated Cabinetry

One of the most expensive features in a kitchen remodel is cabinetry, but DIY savvy folks can make updates to existing cabinets for pennies on the dollar. If your cabinets are in good shape, applying a coat of paint and changing out the hardware can go a long way. Restore shops often have full sets of kitchen cabinets for low prices, too, so don’t be afraid to be thrifty.

Another way to update your cabinets without replacing them is to repurpose some of the space to be more functional. Remove some shelves and add a sliding drawer for trash cans or reorganize the shelves to create a usable space for your small appliances. That brings me to the next tip.

Purposeful Storage Space

Adding specialized storage spaces can hide unsightly clutter and free up counters and floor space in your kitchen. Ever get tired of seeing or smelling your trash? Design a kitchen with space to hide it. Have limited counter space? Why not add a built-in appliance garage?

Appliance garages in particular are a key aspect of many modern kitchens. They offer space to store and use small appliances such as crockpots, blenders, and microwaves. No more taking up space with your coffee pot and condiments either.

Ceramic Backsplash

credit: hgtv.com

Another fun kitchen update that will go nicely with your freshly painted or new cabinets is a tile backsplash. If you’re on a tight budget, you can use vinyl or contact paper with a tiled design but if you have some wiggle room and are handy, a tile backsplash is simple to install yourself.

If you go this route, just make sure you have the right tools for cutting various mediums of tile. There are several tutorials on the internet but if you’re not confident, enlist the help of a friend or professional tile installer.

Modern Light Fixtures

Lighting is a key element in every kitchen and when it comes to updating, you’ll want to install modern fixtures. They should be both adequate and appealing as they are generally a focal point. If you added an island, you’ll want to be sure to have a large fixture above it to provide ample lighting while preparing food.

It’s also important to match your fixtures to your hardware. Shiny metallic lighting is outdated but can work if the rest of your hardware and faucets are the same color. There’s no shortage of fixture styles to choose from either so you’ll want to make your selection early in the process if you intend to design your space around your lighting style.

Sturdy Countertops

credit: hgtv.com

Another costly part of a kitchen remodel is countertops. If your existing surfaces are sturdy but outdated, you might consider applying a vinyl wrap to give them a fresh look. If you’re looking to replace them altogether, keep in mind that you’ll want something durable, and durable can be pricey.

When it comes to durability, the stone is the way to go. Quartz is generally a more affordable option, followed by granite, marble, and slate. These surfaces are pretty much indestructible. If you prefer wood countertops, keep in mind they need frequent upkeep in order to keep the surfaces germ and bacteria-free. Any scratches on the surface are prone to collecting grime. Another thing to consider is mixing and matching. There’s no rule that says all your surfaces have to be the same in a kitchen.

Read more:

Do You Paint Both Sides Of Kitchen Cabinet Doors?

How To Make Ugly Cabinets Look Great!

Fresh Paint

If you have a limited budget or can only choose one thing to update, choose paint. There’s nothing that gives a kitchen more appeal than a fresh coat of semi-gloss paint. Make sure to use complementary colors, too.

If you painted your cabinets, a white or light shade of gray is ideal but for wood or white cabinetry, why not have fun with color! Get creative here and don’t be afraid to use more than one color or be bold.

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Author

  • Kyle Gordon

    Hi there! My name is Kyle Gordon, a part-time week-end warrior renovating homes, house flipper, and full-time IT engineer. This blog is a collection of my extensive experiences as a remodeler, renovator, and home improvement enthusiast. More so, I'm here to share with you lots of great ideas and experiences you can use to make your home into your dream home: we'll cover demolition, design, implementation, and development of many past and furture projects.