Eliminate a lack of new ideas and being embarrassed by your old, outdated kitchen. Knowing a few easy kitchen remodeling ideas can help you update and enjoy spending time in it.
sallywheatinteriors.com gathered information on 7 kitchen remodeling ideas to help you transform your kitchen from an embarrassment into a destination.
1. Replace Your Kitchen Cabinetry
Custom kitchen cabinet installation carries a price tag averaging between $500 to $1,200 per linear foot. And that’s not all; you’ll need to spend from $10,500 to $18,000 for installation and materials (depending on the job size and complexity).
Tip: If you gather quotes for replacing your kitchen cabinets, also consider painting or refinishing them as a solution, as it will certainly be more financially appealing. The cost to paint kitchen cabinets is typically around half the cost of replacing them. Paints applied to cabinets are very durable and will likely last as long as new cabinets.
2. Paint Your Kitchen
Painting your kitchen is likely an easier project than painting bedrooms or living rooms because the amount of exposed wall space tends to be limited. Most of a kitchen’s wall space is occupied by cabinets/storage shelving, mounted wall cabinets, and backsplashes.
Use any paint formulated for kitchens or bathrooms for proper coverage and protection. Just be sure that the paint is formulated for bathroom or kitchen use.
3. Update Your Appliances
Use the 50/50 rule. When something goes wrong with your appliance:
- If it’s more than halfway through its lifespan
- And will cost half as much to repair vs. replacing it
- Just replace it
Consider the following when updating or replacing appliances:
- Stick with the same brand name of kitchen appliances
- Note the features you value most
- Opt for stainless steel
- Consider the size of each kitchen appliance
- Look for efficiency in all appliances (water, electrical, etc.)
Note: The shiny, clean look of stainless steel screams modern and is much easier to clean/maintain.
4. Replace Kitchen Countertops
When remodeling your kitchen without a huge budget to support your every whim, you might consider replacing your countertops without replacing your cabinets.
While most will typically get both their countertops and cabinets replaced at the same time, some homeowners opt for one or the other to keep within a limited budget.
Note: Laminate counters are relatively inexpensive compared to stone, so many will install laminate countertops for a fast and affordable remodel. Laminate countertops are typically particleboard coated with thin veneer plastic layers on top.
5. Install New Lighting
Your first step is to identify the type of ceiling you have, which will enable you to have an idea of what your options are for new lighitng and unique ceiling ideas. Your kitchen ceiling is likely flat, or it has a fluorescent soffit.
Flat Ceiling – If your kitchen ceiling is flat, it probably has one or more light fixtures mounted to its surface. Updating these fixtures to recessed lighting is fairly simple. It involves removing the old fixtures, installing the new recessed lights, and finally repairing any ceiling damage caused by the old light fixtures.
Soffit Type Ceiling – If you have a soffit ceiling with a raised center, it was built this way to accommodate fluorescent tube lights covered by plastic panels. Consider the following:
Option #1 – Make it Flat
Frame the soffit opening and cover it with drywall. This will create a flat ceiling suitable for recessed lights.
Option #2 – Leave the Soffit Open
Remove the old lighting fixtures and install recessed lights inside the raised soffit ceiling. Depending on the size of the soffit, you may want to add additional lights around the soffit aimed at countertops and work areas. Adding crown molding inside the soffit is a phenomenal way to create a clean, finished look.
Note: With either option, the ceiling will likely need to be refinished by a drywall professional and painted.
6. Retile or Replace the Kitchen’s Flooring
The thought of retiling or replacing your kitchen floor may invoke thoughts of cabinet and appliance removal, but there is a way to avoid the extra work.
Tip: You can replace kitchen tiles on the floor without removing cabinets and appliances. The trick is cutting the existing tile around the cabinets and appliances. However, this can be a difficult, labor-intensive task as well and ultimately a time-consuming process without the appropriate tools.
7. Install a New Backsplash
A backsplash is typically a vertical tile or adhesive extension of a counter. Backsplashes are found in a kitchen or a bathroom rising from the counter behind the sink. A backsplash can extend a few inches high but can rise as high as the ceiling. The purpose of a backsplash is to protect the wall behind the sink from splashing water.
Kitchen Remodel
In this article, you discovered multiple easy remodeling ideas to help you eliminate the embarrassment of your dated, dingy, and dark kitchen.
By updating your kitchen, you are creating a more welcoming location to keep your appliances, utensils, and food. This new look and feel can be an inspiring destination in your home instead of an old-looking, neglected room.
Your rundown, antiquated kitchen may be a source of depression and embarrassment in your home, making your food seem less appealing and potentially hiding dangerous structural flaws and damages.
Sources:
gazette.blogs.rice.edu/ways-to-boost-the-value-of-your-home/
open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oublog/viewpost.php?post=3193
energy.gov/energysaver/kitchen-appliances
wiki.zumm.org/wiki/how-to/how-to-install-marble-backsplash-72783
