Cabinet Facelift

Brand-new cabinetry can be costly. Consider instead giving your existing ones a facelift. A fresh coat of paint or stain can work wonders and make your space feel brand new. Consider a trending color scheme like crisp white uppers and a contrasting color for the lowers. Popular colors right now are green, blue, or gray. Swapping out old hardware with modern alternatives can also feel like a huge upgrade and costs very little.

DIY Backsplash

Backsplash can transform the look of your kitchen and they are fairly easy to install yourself without draining your savings account. There are lots of budget-friendly options like peel-and-stick tiles or classic subway tiles that are easy to install yourself. These cost-effective options make for a fun weekend DIY project and can really make an impactful difference in your space.

Open Shelving

Instead of replacing your upper cabinets, consider installing open shelving. This trend has grown in popularity in the last decade or so and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Open shelves are not only cheaper than new cabinetry, but they also create a more open and airy feel in the kitchen. You can use your shelves to display favorite dishes, glassware, cookbooks, or other decorative items to add personal touch and color to your space.

Budget-Friendly Countertops

Granite and quartz countertops can be expensive and sometimes take up a large chunk of the kitchen remodeling budget. Although there are some amazing perks to these more expensive options, wallet-friendly alternatives like laminate, butcher block, and concrete can make a huge difference in your out-of-pocket expenses. These materials offer durability and a trendy aesthetic without the large price tag.

Creative Lighting

Lighting can make a huge difference in your space as well. Simply swapping old, dated light fixtures for new, modern ones can make a statement in your kitchen. Consider adding a statement chandelier above your island or your dining space. Thrift stores and discount retailers often have hidden gems at a fraction of the cost, and even big-box stores have large lighting departments where you are sure to find something within your budget. Adding under-cabinet lighting is another affordable, easy way to brighten up your workspace and give your kitchen an effortless glow.

Upcycled Furniture

Gone are the days of the perfectly uniform kitchen. Eclectic-style homes tell a story and can be some of the coziest spaces. Consider repurposing or upcycling old furniture pieces for your kitchen. An old table can be transformed into a charming farmhouse-style kitchen island. Or an old hutch can get a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware and become a functional pantry. Antique or second-hand stores are treasure troves for finding unique, budget-friendly pieces looking for new homes.

Smart Organization

Sometimes your kitchen can feel brand new just by implementing some smart, functional organization. Organizational solutions can be super cheap, but just take some time and effort to implement. Utilize storage containers, drawer organizers, and shelving units to keep clutter at bay. Take it a step further and organize your refrigerator to make finding things a breeze. Having an organized space not only enhances functionality but also contributes to the overall aesthetic of a space which in turn calms your brain making your kitchen more enjoyable to be in.

A budget-friendly kitchen upgrade is not only feasible, but it can be a fun and rewarding project. With some extra thought, creativity, elbow grease, and a little shopping, you can achieve an updated kitchen that fits both your personality and your budget.

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Modern Open Shelving

Open shelving has become more and more popular over the past few years. Adding just one section of open shelves to your upper cabinet space adds a contemporary vibe to the space. They are sleek and minimal and allow you to showcase dishware, décor, or cookbooks. Eliminating upper cabinets in some areas of the kitchen can make a smaller kitchen feel more spacious while also adding a touch of sophistication to your kitchen design.

Two-Tone Cabinets

Gone are the days of monotone cabinetry. Using two different colors for your kitchen cabinets adds depth and dimension to your design. Consider mixing and matching finishes as well—perhaps your lower cabinets are a wood grain finish, and your upper cabinets are a smooth, painted finish. Doing this adds texture and interest and a striking contrast to keep your kitchen from looking boring. Two-tone cabinetry adds a modern twist while also maintaining balance and harmony.

Glass-Front Cabinets

Glass-front cabinets instantly add elegance to a space. They are the perfect way to add a touch of formal sophistication and allow you to display cherished china or decorative spaces while still keeping things protected, unlike open shelving. Glass-front cabinets are timeless and can add visual interest to the space. Consider using glass-front cabinets in only one section, or even just along the top of your cabinets just below the ceiling. Either look will add elegant, timeless appeal.

Vintage and Retro Cabinets

If you’re a fan of vintage aesthetics, you might consider using retro-inspired or true retro kitchen cabinets and pieces. Recycling older cabinets can be a cool way to add character and personality to your kitchen. Cabinets with ornate details, curved edges, and distressed finishes create a nostalgic atmosphere. Keep your eye out for estate sales in your area or go to antique stores to find quality pieces that can be restored and used anew in your home. Adding a few older pieces to a modern kitchen remodel created a unique fusion of old and new and makes your space feel built-in and intentional.

Creative Hardware

A simple update to your cabinet hardware can make a major impact on your kitchen design. Knobs, handles, hinges, and pulls can all be updated and swapped out for a whole new look that transforms your kitchen and creates statement pieces out of your existing cabinetry. Experiment with unique shapes, materials, and finishes that fit your style and personality to complement your kitchen style. Geometric shapes can add a modern, edgy look while brass hardware is always a touch of warmth and elegance.

Cabinetry plays a major role in defining the ambiance and aesthetic of your kitchen. Explore creative ideas that help make your kitchen your own and transform your culinary space into a place you are proud to show off. There are endless ways to express your creativity and individuality throughout your entire home, and that doesn’t need to stop at your kitchen. Call your local Kitchen Solvers today to set up a free in-home consultation and start dreaming up your new kitchen today.

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Bold Colors

White and wood-tone cabinets are always in style which means that they can be extremely overdone. Instead of following the crowd, opt for a bold, unexpected color on your cabinets like a bright blue, deep green, or even a luxurious purple. Adding color to your cabinets not only will surprise your guests but also lets them in on your personality right away. Adding this large amount of color to your kitchen space is sure to make the room a focal point of the home.

Open Shelving

If you enjoy more of a modern, minimal, or industrial look, consider the idea of open shelving instead of cabinetry. This trend has been growing in popularity over the last decade and is a great way to showcase even more of your personality by putting your dishes, glasses, and cookbooks on display. Perhaps you have an antique China set from your grandma, or a collaborative cookbook of family recipes from generations past. Talk about conversation starters!

Mixed Materials

Why stick to just wood cabinets? Consider mixing and matching multiple materials of cabinetry for a highly contrasted look. Maybe you do wood perimeter cabinets and a cool, industrial metal kitchen island. Glass doors or shelving can also add depth and texture to the space and is sure to catch your visitor’s eyes and curiosity.

Unique Hardware

Don’t underestimate the power of your cabinet hardware to make a statement. Traditional knobs and pulls definitely have their space in some homes, but if you’re looking to quickly add personality and pizazz to your kitchen, the hardware is a great place to start. Use unique materials like leather, rope, clay, or even antler if you’re designing a cabin or are an outdoorsy family. There are endless possibilities of things you could use as cabinet hardware that will for sure tell a story of who you are and get a conversation rolling.

Custom Artwork

If you are really wanting a one-of-a-kind look for your kitchen, consider commissioning an artist to create custom pieces for your cabinets. A local artist could do hand-painted designs or even intricate mosaic tile work. With this route, you can fully personalize the cabinets to fit you and your family’s personality and story to a T. Who wouldn’t want to hear why you chose what you did—it would definitely start some intentional conversation at your next dinner party.

Whichever conversation-starting cabinetry you decide on, going against the grain is a great way to add personality and style to your kitchen. Whether it’s a bold color, a unique material, or custom artwork, the sky is the limit for your kitchen design. If you’re ready to start dreaming, give your local Kitchen Solvers a call to set up a free in-home consultation. We can’t wait to design a new space that is both functional and unforgettable.

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Beyond the function of the space though, it is important to create a beautiful, warm, inviting, and unique space. Ultimately, it should be a place you enjoy being and that you want to show off to your friends and guests. It’s important to think about how you’ll add character and personality to your new space. How will you make it your own and make it feel like your family? Here are just a few ways you can consider adding character to your kitchen:

Wood Elements

All-white kitchens are a staple in kitchen design right now and they don’t seem to be going anywhere. However, choosing all white everything can quickly look sterile and boring. Consider adding some wood elements into the space to add warmth and depth. Gone are the days of having to match all the wood stains and types in a space too. Feel free to mix multiple wood tones in the space. Maybe instead of white cabinetry on the island you opt for a white pine or even a dark walnut. This will become the focal point of the space and add warmth and color to make sure the space doesn’t become too monotone. If you are married to the all-white cabinetry idea, consider painting one of the walls a darker color or adding a fun wood accent wall with shiplap or wooden slats.

Fun Lighting

The main goal of your lighting in the kitchen should be to light your workspaces. This can be done best with can or task lighting above your most used spaces. However, adding additional lighting fixtures that add visual interest and decorative elements to your space can make a huge difference. Add a chandelier above your eat-in kitchen for extra flair. Or consider adding hanging pendants or lanterns above your island to create more of a wow factor. Also, adding underlit cabinets can instantly make the space feel warm, cozy, and charming.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is making a comeback! We have been seeing more and more homes add wallpaper to accent walls or even to entire rooms. Wallpaper is an easy way to add trendy character and life into your cooking space. With so many different options, you can really go any direction you want with it. Choose from brick or stone-inspired wallpapers. Or go bolder with a colorful floral pattern. You can find designs that are big and bold, or even small and dainty. The options are practically limitless so you’re sure to find something that fits your style.

Open Shelving

Another easy way to add character and depth to your space is by adding open shelving in some areas. This breaks up the upper cabinetry and adds visual appeal. Floating shelves are a popular modern look and can be decorated with lots of color by adding fun cups, mugs, plates, bowls, or plants too! This is where you can get really creative and swap out some of those decorative pieces with the seasons. This allows your personality to shine through and your space will feel different with each little change you make.

We hope these ideas got your creative juices flowing and you have a better understanding of how to add character and personality to your space. If you’re just looking to add some flair via a simple DIY, these are some great options. Or if you’re ready to dive into a kitchen remodel we’d be happy to chat with you about your options and how we can help you along the way. Reach out to your local Kitchen Solvers today to get a free in-home consultation scheduled!

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Why Glass Inserts in Cabinetry? 

Glass in your cabinetry doors visually opens your kitchen by breaking up the monotony of your solid cabinetry doors. The reflective quality glass provides emphasizes any room’s natural light. Glass is an easy way to effectively brighten your space without using the harshness of light fixtures. Another reason why glass has made a greater appearance in kitchens recently is its ability to embrace your kitchen appliances. Don’t go out and buy décor. Let what’s in your kitchen cabinets and shelves speak for themselves. 

Less is More 

Having an entire kitchen with glass inserts can be overwhelming not to mention impractical. You don’t want to walk on eggshells with your cabinetry worrying about the kids or your dog breaking the beautiful glass. For the sake of functionality and design, remember with glass inserts for your kitchen cabinets that less is more. Most homeowners who utilize glass inserts opt to install only a few accents glass doors. Not all cabinet doors need to have glass. Pick and choose a few places where inserts would be optimal. 

Like the Idea of Glass but Don’t Want People to See the Inside of Your Cabinets? 

“What’s inside my cabinetry is not always picture perfect.” “The princess plates my four-year-old constantly uses might not need to be on display for all who come to our kitchen.” These are things we’ve heard brought up by homeowners considering glass inserts for their cabinetry doors. There are two solutions for a typical thought like this. One, be tactical about where you’re going to place those accent doors. The beautiful antique plates are perfect to house in a cabinet with glass. Glass cabinetry is an amazing opportunity to show off your appliances that are not used in everyday activities. Second, if you don’t want any of your appliances to be exposed consider using decorative glass options. Decorative options like translucent or textured glass are opaque so they create the illusion of glass without making what’s in your cabinets visible.  

Need Help with Your Kitchen Design? 

There always seems to be an abundance of options when choosing your new cabinetry. This abundance of options means the kitchen of your dreams can become a reality. But it can also mean feeling a little overwhelmed with your choices. When you’re in the process of a remodel, overwhelmed is the last thing we want you to feel like when upgrading your kitchen. At Kitchen Solvers, part of our core belief is providing each homeowner with the most Peasant Remodeling Experience. From the moment you call, we will meet you where you are at in the buying process. Call your nearest kitchen solvers for your consultation! If you’re looking to gain a greater insight on what a kitchen remodel entails make sure to visit our blog articles like Looking for a Financially Savvy Cabinet Restoration? Cabinet Refacing could be your Solution! And What are the Steps in a Kitchen Remodel? 

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Open Shelving

Introducing open shelving into your space allows a homeowner’s kitchen necessities to transform into décor. Your dishware, bottles, vases, and plants perched on your shelves are now visible and can add a layer of dimension to one’s kitchen. It’s also a design technique which allows for lots of flexibility. Swapping a clear vase for a red bottle set easily changes the dynamic of the kitchen.

A Playful Rug

Implementing a rug into your kitchens design scheme opens the door to a huge variety of trends, designs, patterns, and colors. Whether you’re seeking a rug for function, design, or both, it will undoubtedly bring warmth to your space.

Wallpaper

Tile and paint are not the only wall finish a kitchen can have. Wallpaper is a great alternative which can offer an abundance of colors, lively patterns, or textured prints. This playful option can be done to multiple walls or a single accent wall. With current advancements, wet-space-safe wallpapers are easy to come by and homeowners will find no shortage of patterns.

Accent Cabinetry (two-toned cabinets)

Accent cabinetry has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years. Many of our homeowners’ search for additional depth and character within their kitchens. Two-toned doors and drawers for a few of the kitchen cabinets give the room a playful edge while still maintaining sophistication and style. Accent cabinetry leaves room for versatility and uniqueness with its design. One can choose to do a row of upper cabinets or lower cabinets with a neutral look, a bolder hue, or two different neutral colors.

Colorful Island Barstools

A fun and not often thought of way to enhance your kitchens design is colorful island barstools. Whether it’s completely new chairs or new slipcovers/cushions this route is good for homeowners who are looking to introduce a bold color but might be hesitant to paste it across the kitchen walls.

Window Treat—curtains/shades

Lastly, having curtains or shades in your kitchen is a smart way to add a pattern or a color pop to your home. This option works well with any style whether that’s transitional, modern, or traditional. Utilizing your window treatment design can also be a great way to play up the natural light streaming through your windows.

Kitchens are the hub of any household. You want the place where you entertain family and friends to be lively and vibrant. Don’t let neutrals overtake your kitchen. Fall in love with your kitchen again by adding an easy pop of color to the space. A simple change in color design can completely transform your kitchen. Visit our Kitchen Solvers Blog to find more ways of how you can easily revamp your kitchen. At Kitchen Solvers, we want your beloved kitchen to be a space which embodies warmth and community.

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