Evaluate Your Needs & Prioritize

Before diving into any type of house project, you should always take some time to evaluate your needs and prioritize. Figure out which aspects of your kitchen require attention—it could be outdated cabinets, worn-out countertops, or a lack of storage space. Understanding your priorities can help you allocate your budget wisely and make sure you focus on the areas that will make the most impact on your daily function in the space.

Full Remodel on a Budget

DIY Painting

Paint might seem like all too simple of an upgrade, but it can make a world of difference in a space. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and the cabinets can be one of the most budget-friendly ways to give your kitchen a fresh look. Choose light, neutral colors to create a spacious and inviting atmosphere. Do your research on tips and tricks when painting cabinetry as it can be a little bit of a chore but can easily be done on a weekend if you’re focused. This weekend project can transform your kitchen almost instantly.

Affordable Countertops

Just because your countertops might be worn our and dated, doesn’t mean you need to splurge on an expensive replacement like granite or quartz. Consider more affordable options like laminate or butcher block. These options can provide a stylish, fresh look without the hefty price tag. This allows you to use your budget on other essential upgrades instead of spending most of it on your countertop.

Update Lighting Fixtures

A simple swap of outdated lighting fixtures for new, modern, energy-efficient ones is another way to enhance your kitchen aesthetic quickly. Typically, lighting fixtures aren’t too expensive either and can make a huge difference in the space. Consider pendant lights over your island, or under-cabinet LED strips can add style, ambiance, and functionality too.

Cabinet Refacing

New Doors and Hardware

If your current cabinets are structurally sound but just visually outdated, you could reface them by simply replacing the doors and hardware. This can give your kitchen a contemporary facelift without the large expense of entirely new cabinetry.

Laminate or Veneer Overhaul

If you’re looking for a new appearance for your cabinets, you can apply a laminate or veneer to the cabinet box surfaces for a sleek and polished look. Not only does this cover up imperfections, but it also provides a new durable, and easy-to-clean surface. This cost-effective option is a way to achieve a high-end look on a budget.

Open Shelving

By simply removing the doors on a few of your cabinets you can embrace the open shelving trend. This would not only save you the cost of replacing those doors but creates a modern and airy feel for your kitchen. Homeowners choose to display stylish dishware or decorative items to further personalize their kitchen as it can be a little harder to add personal decorations in this space.

Smart Storage Solutions

Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers

Incorporating pull-out shelves and drawers can instantly enhance functionality in your kitchen. These types of storage solutions can be installed in existing cabinets to maximize the space you already have while making items more accessible and increasing the overall function of the space.

DIY Organization

You don’t necessarily need new gadgets and large pull-out shelves or drawers to organize your space. DIY organizing solutions can make just as big of an effect on the function of your space. Taking advantage of unused vertical space with hooks utensils or tension rods for pot lids can ensure that there are designated zones for specific items. Clever organization can make a huge difference in any space, but especially in a space that is so heavily used like the kitchen. Taking the time to really think through how the space functions and what you need in what places can make you kitchen feel brand new.

Upgrading your kitchen on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t truly upgrade the style and function of the space. Whether you choose a full remodel or the more budget-friendly cabinet refacing, these tips can help you attain a fresh and inviting space without breaking the bank. A little creativity and strategic planning can go a long way in transforming your kitchen into a place where you love to cook, entertain, or just be. If creativity and strategic planning aren’t your strong suits, Kitchen Solvers is here to help. We specialize in making your kitchen dreams come true—no matter what your budget is. Give us a call today to set up a free in-home consultation to start dreaming today.

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Pendant Lights

Pendant lights are one of the most popular ways to light kitchens because they are extremely versatile. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors so they can fit into really any style you’re looking at for your kitchen design. Pendant lights direct light exactly where you need it so they are great to hang above highly used workspaces like your island or sink to make sure you have optimal lighting for your meal prep.

One of the most common places you’ll see pendant lighting is above the kitchen island. Hang 3 or 4 mini pendants in an evenly spaced row or let your light fixtures be a statement and go with 2  larger pendants—this is becoming quite popular, especially in kitchens with higher ceilings. You’ll also see single pendant lights above kitchen sinks, stoves, or even coffee/wine bars which is great for those early mornings or late nights when all you need is one area of the kitchen.

Cabinet Lighting

Under cabinet lighting is becoming more and more popular. Although under cabinet lighting is not technically about the aesthetics of the lights themselves, the light that illuminates from them can make a world of difference in your kitchen’s ambiance. Having that soft glow from underneath your kitchen cabinets when all the other lights are off can give your kitchen a feeling of warmth and luxury. They are also a great way to show off and highlight your new backsplash or countertops. Beyond that, under cabinet lights can help maintain safety in your kitchen by shining on your prep areas as your body might get in the way of overhead or ceiling lights behind your back. Underlit cabinets are a great option for task lighting and come in energy-efficient options too so you can have them on constantly and not worry about high electricity use.

Lighting on the interior of kitchen cabinets is also a luxurious look that you might consider if you have cabinets with glass doors on them. Illuminating the cabinets that store your beautiful dishware, glassware, or even china is a great way to draw your guest’s eye to the best part of your kitchen design and show off your personal style all at the same time.

Recessed Lights

Recessed lights are not really a trend, but more of a staple of home design and construction. They are a functional fixture that can provide a well-diffused general light to your entire kitchen rather than the focused, direct light that pendants or under cabinet lighting provide. They are best for adding a blanket of light to your entire space and work great in conjunction with task and accent lighting. It’s best practice not to rely solely on recessed lighting in your kitchen as this can create a somewhat boring design and is not the best type of light for all situations. However, they are a great first layer of lighting that would be a great addition to your space if you don’t already have them.

Monorail Lighting

Monorail lighting (or track lighting as you may know it) is basically like a functional sculpture for your ceiling. You can shape and turn the metal tracks into graceful curves or sharp corners so that it fits your kitchen’s layout perfectly. They come in a variety of materials and colors so you are sure to find one that fits your kitchen’s aesthetic. If your kitchen has taller ceilings, they are an excellent way to draw the eye up and give your ceiling a design element worth highlighting. They are most popular in industrial or modern designs, but you could use them in any type of kitchen design.

Ultimately, kitchen lighting can make or break your kitchen design. With the endless amounts of styles out there, it can be overwhelming trying to decide on how to light your kitchen. Evaluate how you spend your time in the kitchen. Decide which areas could use the most light and which areas would look better with soft, ambient light. Consider which features you want to make into a focal point. And pay attention to how different lighting fixtures and designs will look in the context of your kitchen’s aesthetic. Of course, you don’t have to do this all alone. Kitchen Solvers is here to help with all your kitchen design choices from the lighting to the backsplash to the storage solutions. Contact your local Kitchen Solvers today to start making your kitchen dreams come true.

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When you’re getting ready to remodel your kitchen, learning about some of the hottest kitchen design trends is a good idea. If you want your kitchen to have a unique look, however, then you may want to consider a few overlooked trends that not many homeowners choose. Select a few of these ignored design options, and you should be able to give your kitchen a one-of-a-kind look that you’ll appreciate day in and day out. Check out these overlooked kitchen design trends so that you can get a few ideas for making over the kitchen in your home. 

Multifunction Furniture and Appliances

A lack of space is one of the most common obstacles that homeowners encounter when remodeling their kitchen. If you’re trying to give your kitchen a new look and feel but are dealing with limited space, then installing multifunction furniture is one of the best overlooked trends for you.

By combining several different pieces of kitchen furniture into one, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of space while also boosting the functionality of the room. For example, if you don’t have room for both prep and serving spaces, you could install a kitchen island that can convert into a dining table. In addition to multifunction furniture, you can save space with multifunction appliances, such as an in-sink dishwasher or a range with a built-in microwave.

Protect Your Island With Reclaimed Wood

An island can be the perfect centerpiece for most kitchens, but if you have children, the style of your island may experience a great deal of wear and tear. Fortunately, you can keep your island looking great while also giving your kitchen a unique design by building a kick plate with reclaimed wood.

Using reclaimed wood in kitchens is an often-disregarded trend that may be perfect for your home. Covering the seating area in your island with reclaimed wood can create a warm, homey look that you’ll love, and it will also protect the island itself from long-term damage. Once your reclaimed wood is installed, your young one can swing their legs to their heart’s content without scuffing or scratching your island.

Swap out Your Lighting

Just because you want to give your kitchen a new look, it doesn’t mean you necessarily want to spend your money and time on a full remodel. Fortunately, transforming your kitchen doesn’t always require a lot of effort or expense, and even small changes such as new lighting fixtures can provide big benefits.

Installing new, dramatic kitchen lighting is one of the most overlooked kitchen design trends. If you currently have recessed lighting in your kitchen, for example, swapping it out for pendant lighting can give your kitchen a completely different appearance. There are countless stylish lighting fixtures available, so you should be able to do a little research and find an option that will give your kitchen the striking look that you want.

Mix up Your Flooring Materials

When you’re trying to give your kitchen a new lease on life, installing new flooring is one of the best things that you can do. While it may be tempting to install the same flooring option throughout your kitchen, mixing and matching materials can be an effective way to give the room that signature look that both you and visitors will enjoy.

Finding the right mix of materials can certainly be a little tricky, but if you get it right, you can give your kitchen an attention-grabbing aesthetic that will feel fresh for years to come. If you’re interested in varying the floor materials in your kitchen, you should consult with a design professional to get help choosing the options that are right for your home.

Think About a Window Backsplash

If you know anything about kitchen design, then you’re probably aware that nothing ties the room together quite like the perfect backsplash. While you could choose the tried=and-true option of installing a tile backsplash, a window backsplash can result in an interesting look that you won’t find in many other homes.

With a window backsplash, you’re basically installing a window where the backsplash would normally be. For instance, a large window right above the cooking range is a bold style choice that will make your kitchen feel more open while also adding a lot of natural light to your room. Obviously, a window backsplash isn’t possible in all homes since you’ll need a suitable exterior wall, but if you’re able to add this feature to your kitchen, you won’t have any regrets.

Unfitted Kitchens

Some kitchen trends don’t stay overlooked forever, and if you’re interested in hopping onto a design before it becomes popular, building an unfitted kitchen deserves your consideration. An unfitted kitchen is one in which your cooking range and refrigerator aren’t recessed into your cabinets. Instead, they stand on their own, resulting in a modular design that can make your kitchen feel like it’s from the future. Unfitted kitchens are poised to explode in popularity, so you should think about choosing this trend while there’s still room on the bandwagon.

Bring Some Nature Into Your Home

Foods made with the freshest ingredients are in vogue right now, which makes it surprising that few people have taken advantage of this last overlooked kitchen trend: building your own indoor herb garden. If you get a lot of sunlight in your kitchen, growing your own herbs is actually pretty easy, and your garden can make it feel like spring in your kitchen year-round.

The great thing about kitchen herb gardens is that you can choose whatever size best fits your home. So, if you have a smaller kitchen, you can put a few plants on your windowsill, and if you have more space, you can build a larger garden that’s filled with plants. Building your own indoor herb garden is an excellent way to make your kitchen stand out from the crowd, and it will also make it easier for you to cook fresh, delicious meals your family will love.

Build Your Trendy Kitchen

After learning about a few overlooked kitchen design trends, you should be more than ready to get started remodeling your kitchen, and at Kitchen Solvers, we are here to make your project as fun, easy, and successful as possible. One of our remodeling professionals would be glad to talk with you about the design trends you’re considering and then help implement those designs in your home. Pay a visit to one of our many locations today so that you can get started building your dream kitchen.

The post Overlooked Design Trends That May Be Perfect for Your Kitchen appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

While it may seem like a small issue, your lighting can actually play a big role in the look and feel of your kitchen, which is why you need to give your lights the attention they deserve. Here are some signs that you should update kitchen lighting and some ideas for improving the lighting and overall style of your kitchen.

Your Table Isn’t Lit

In many homes, the kitchen is the place where meals are both prepared and eaten, which means that every inch of the room needs to be lit properly. If the dining area of your kitchen is too dark, then it’s time to start thinking about a lighting upgrade.

While you don’t want your dining area to be so bright that it feels antiseptic, you do want enough illumination so that everyone can see their meal. You should choose a lighting fixture for your dining room table that offers warm lighting that will make meals more enjoyable. If you want this area of your kitchen to be more stylish, you can add a pendant lighting or a chandelier.

Brighten Up Your Sink

Your main goal in choosing kitchen lighting should be making it easier to use this essential space. If you think it’s time to update kitchen lighting in your home, take a walk around the room to see how well-lit the most-used areas are, taking particular care to examine the lighting above your sink.

The area around your sink will probably get the most use in your kitchen, which means it needs to be the brightest area of the room. You can install task lighting directly above your sink to make sure that you can always see when you’re preparing food or doing the dishes.

Boost Style With Accent Lighting

If you’ve been thinking about giving your kitchen a new look, adding new lighting is the easy and affordable solution for achieving your style goals. Simply adding some accent lighting to a few strategic areas of your kitchen can make it look like a completely new room without having to engage in a full renovation.

For instance, you can use a spotlight to highlight the biggest style points of your kitchen, and under-counter or in-cabinet lighting can add a little more warmth to the room. With the right accent lighting, you can transform your kitchen to the most attractive room in your home.

Get Help With Your Lighting

If you notice signs that it’s time to update your kitchen lighting, you can get assistance from Kitchen Solvers to keep your kitchen looking fresh. Our team is your top resource when you want to redesign your kitchen, and we can help you with everything from lighting updates to full remodels.

Be sure to check out Kitchen Lighting Designs – Transform the Feel of Your Kitchen! and Kitchen Lighting Trends to Brighten up Your Kitchen for more information on lighting options for your kitchen.  And be sure to research Kitchen Remodeling Costs: Get a Return on Your investment if you may be considering a remodeling project as part of your overall kitchen lighting design decisions. Stop by a Kitchen Solvers location near you to learn more about our services.

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