Updating a kitchen doesn’t need to involve a complete remodel or spending tens of thousands of dollars. Whether you’re interested in major renovations or just making a few cosmetic changes, there are many ways to modernise your kitchen without breaking the bank.
By focusing on what will make the most impact on your budget, you can refresh your kitchen’s look and function quickly. In this guide, we will explore several ideas, from small details like swapping out hardware to larger projects such as modernising countertops.
Let’s get straight to the point.
You don’t need a full remodel to modernise your kitchen. Simple updates like swapping out hardware, mixing textures and colours, and showcasing personal collectibles can quickly refresh your space.
Installing creative lighting, incorporating open shelving, and using fresh paint are affordable ways to enhance your kitchen’s look. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and creating a seating area for a functional and inviting feel.
For a modern touch, update countertops with materials like granite, marble, or quartz, and add a fun, stylish backsplash. For those on a budget, focus on one splurge-worthy feature, like high-end appliances, while keeping other updates simple.
Swap Out Hardware
One of the quickest and most affordable ways to modernise your kitchen is by updating the cabinet hardware. Over time, handles and knobs become worn out and outdated.
If your kitchen has metal fixtures from previous decades, replacing them can instantly give the room a contemporary feel. Popular finishes such as matte aluminium, stainless steel, brushed gold, and copper are on trend.
These materials add a modern touch and can be installed easily without professional help. Before you shop, be sure to count how many pulls and knobs you’ll need, as hardware can add up in cost, especially in larger kitchens.
Benefits Of New Hardware:
- Cost-effective
- Quick installation
- Instant aesthetic upgrade
Mix Textures, Patterns, And Colours
Combining various textures, patterns, and colours can create an interesting and modern look in your kitchen. For example, pairing cream-coloured cabinets with stainless steel appliances can lighten the space and make it feel more open.
Adding colourful drapes or vibrant backsplash tiles is a simple way to inject personality. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can opt for a high-contrast look by painting only half of the cabinets.
Painting the bottom cabinets a dark colour, such as black, and leaving the upper cabinets white can create a stylish, modern appearance.
Ideas For Mixing Materials:
- Two-toned cabinetry: Combine dark base cabinets with light upper cabinets.
- Patterned tiles: Use tiles in a bold pattern for the backsplash.
- Wood accents: Incorporate warm wood elements, like a wooden island, to balance out metal appliances.
Show Off Cherished Collectibles
Your kitchen is more than just a place to cook; it’s an area where you can showcase your personality. Open shelves are a great way to display collectibles, whether it’s decorative plates, vintage cookware, or family heirlooms.
Built-in shelving under the kitchen island is another place to store and display items like cookbooks or decorative glassware.
Ideas For Display:
- Use floating shelves to show off collectibles.
- Place colourful pantry items in attractive containers on open shelves.
- Add plants or artwork to brighten the space.
Install Creative Lighting
Lighting is often overlooked in kitchens, but it plays a critical role in setting the mood and functionality of the space. If you only have one overhead light, consider adding recessed lighting or pendant lights above the kitchen island.
Installing under-cabinet lighting can brighten up workspaces and add warmth to the room. Pendant lights, in particular, can become the focal point of the kitchen.
You can choose options like hand-blown glass or metal pendants, which provide a stylish and functional update.
Lighting Ideas:
- Pendant lights: Perfect for over islands or dining areas.
- Under-cabinet lighting: Provides extra task lighting and creates a cosy atmosphere.
- Install a dimmer switch for more versatility.
Combine Various Furniture Styles
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different furniture styles in your kitchen. Adding an unexpected item, such as a patterned rug or windsor stools, can give your kitchen a unique flair.
Blending vintage and modern furniture can result in a stylish, eclectic look that is anything but boring. For a sophisticated touch, consider incorporating hardware, such as brushed gold drawer pulls, on modern cabinetry to create an upscale feel.
Add Storage With Open Shelves
Older kitchens often have upper cabinets that dominate the walls and make the space feel cramped. Removing these cabinets and replacing them with open shelves can open up the kitchen and create a more spacious feel.
These shelves are perfect for displaying items such as everyday dishes or decorative pieces. For a more rustic touch, use wooden shelves supported by metal brackets.
Storage Ideas:
- Replace upper cabinets with open shelving.
- Display kitchenware and ornaments on shelves for both function and style.
- Incorporate rustic wood shelving for a warm, inviting touch.
Freshen Up With Paint
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to modernise your kitchen. Whether you choose to paint the cabinets or walls, colour can drastically change the space.
White paint remains a classic choice for brightening up a kitchen, but other colours, such as duck egg blue or sage green, are becoming increasingly popular for a more unique look. If painting all the cabinets feels daunting, focus on the lower cabinets or just the kitchen island for a bold update.
Painting Options:
- White for a clean, modern look.
- Duck egg blue or sage green for subtle charm.
- Experiment with a high-gloss finish for a sleek, contemporary vibe.
Upgrade To Energy-Efficient Appliances
Updating your appliances to energy-efficient models not only makes your kitchen more modern but also benefits the environment and reduces utility bills. Many older appliances use more water and energy than newer models.
Replacing old refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens with modern, energy-efficient versions will make your kitchen more eco-friendly and save you money in the long run.
Energy-Efficient Tips:
- Opt for appliances with high energy efficiency ratings.
- Install water-saving plumbing fixtures to reduce water usage.
- Update your lighting to LED options for lower energy consumption.
Create A Comfortable Seating Area
If you want to make your kitchen feel more like the heart of the home, consider adding seating. Breakfast bars, banquettes, or countertop stools create a casual, comfortable space for dining, working, or socialising.
This is especially helpful if your kitchen is a central gathering point for your family or guests.
Seating Ideas:
- Add a banquette with built-in storage for a cosy nook.
- Install stools on a kitchen island for additional seating.
- Create a window seat for a relaxing spot to enjoy coffee or tea.
Modernise Your Countertops
If you have outdated tile or vinyl countertops, upgrading to modern materials can make a big difference. Materials like granite, marble, or even concrete are popular for both their durability and style.
Many homeowners are also opting for quartz countertops, which offer a sleek, polished look without the maintenance of natural stone.
Countertop Ideas:
- Granite or marble for a luxurious feel.
- Concrete or tile for a more industrial, modern look.
- Quartz for a low-maintenance, high-end option.
Paint Or Stencil The Floor
If your floor is in poor condition but replacing it isn’t an option, consider painting it instead. A fresh coat of paint can transform tired floors without the need for costly renovations.
Popular choices include white, pale grey, or blue. If you’re feeling creative, you could even stencil a geometric pattern onto the floor for an extra touch of flair.
Add Fun With A Backsplash
A backsplash is another easy way to add character to your kitchen. Whether you choose to go with subway tiles or a more colourful option, the backsplash is an opportunity to inject personality into the room.
Glass, ceramic, or metal backsplashes can add a modern, elegant touch, while materials like marble or stone create a more timeless look.
Stick To One Special Splurge
If you’re working with a limited budget but have your heart set on a luxurious feature, don’t be afraid to splurge on one standout item. Whether it’s granite countertops, a designer backsplash, or a high-end appliance, you can keep the rest of your updates simple and affordable to balance out the cost.
Embrace Contrast With Black And White
A black and white colour scheme can create a sophisticated, minimalist look in your kitchen. For example, pairing black cabinets with white walls and stainless steel appliances provides a clean, striking contrast.
For added warmth, introduce natural wood accents, such as a wooden island or shelves.
Include Natural Wood Accents
For those who prefer a more traditional or rustic feel, adding natural wood elements is a fail-safe option. Beams, shelves, and islands made from reclaimed wood can add warmth and character to an otherwise modern space.
Add Unforgettable Details
Small, unique touches can make a big impact. Whether it’s custom scrollwork, intricate tile patterns, or one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures, adding a few memorable details will leave a lasting impression on guests.
Conclusion
Modernising your kitchen doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. With small changes like upgrading hardware, lighting, and paint to larger updates like replacing countertops and appliances, you can transform your kitchen into a space that’s both functional and beautiful.
Start with one or two changes, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a modernised kitchen that meets both your style and budget.
FAQs
What Is Out Of Style In Kitchens?
Even a mostly-white kitchen can be very stylish. It’s the all-white design that is falling out of style. Once considered the standard for kitchen design, the all-white option-with white flooring, white countertops, white cabinets, and white fixtures-has become a bit passé after being overdone for the past decade.
What Kitchen Cabinets Are Timeless?
The two most timeless colors of all, are white, and black. No one can deny the appeal of bright white cabinets streaming across a kitchen, they lighten the entire room and give it an airy, refreshing ambience. Likewise, black cabinets are equally timeless.
Why Does Everyone Have A White Kitchen?
White has been around for multiple design shifts. It’s always a clean, fresh look for a cozy coastal getaway place or a quick freshen up for an old kitchen until it can be remodeled. White is a great way to ground wood accents or a dramatic wall color. A mix of light and dark colors adds interest to a room.
What Is The Most Timeless Countertop?
Slate, soapstone, and honed granite are timeless materials for countertop and backsplash, for houses of almost any period. This marble look-alike surface material from Okite is a compound of natural quartz and resin, which complements this period-style kitchen.
Is Granite Going Out Of Style?
The short answer is NO: granite won’t become dated because it’s a 100% natural material. Wood, stone, plants-these things don’t go out of style. The colors and pattern in each slab of granite were brought together without human intervention long before there were even such a thing as design trends.
