Your kitchen is the heart of your home, but after years of heavy use (and maybe even a little neglect), it’s time for an upgrade. Luckily, kitchen designs and remodels don’t have to cost a pretty penny — or take weeks to complete.
Whether you prefer modern minimalism or rustic warmth, these ten straightforward kitchen remodel ideas help create an inviting, functional space where people want to gather. Below, we’ll explore simple ways to transform your kitchen, no matter your budget.
In today’s most stylish kitchen remodels, the island is the main attraction. It’s where culinary prep, casual dining, and lively social gatherings converge — when upgraded, the island can easily become your kitchen’s most-used statement piece.
Enlarge it as space permits, maximizing cabinet and drawer storage as well as countertop prep space. Then, add stools around the island for casual dining. From gally style to L-shaped to peninsula, your island options are endless. Depending on your preference, different kitchen cabinet types can complement your island’s design, from sleek, modern finishes to more traditional styles.
Budget-friendly: Expand the space by tacking on a prefabricated cart or stationary piece to your existing area and finish it with a coordinating top using countertop remnants or butcher block. You can get prefab materials for $150 to $900, depending on the size and materials, plus the cost of the countertop. Budget an additional $100 to $150 for paint and hardware, too.
Mid-range: Replacing your existing island with a larger piece will cost between $40 and $150 per square foot for the countertop and $300 to $1,300 per square foot for the cabinets. Hiring a professional to reinstall your appliances, such as a prep sink and electrical, will cost between $7 and $12 per square foot.
High-end: Upgrading your island with custom millwork, premium countertop materials like exotic stone or marble, and smart appliances or high-end fixtures can easily exceed $11,000.
Open shelving is a stylish way to display your favorite dishes and cookware while making them easy to access. This addition can also break up the monotony of closed cabinets, creating a lighter and more open feel. Plus, subbing out some of your cabinets for open shelving is easier and more affordable because it requires little demo.
Don’t be afraid to mix materials. For example, you could add wood shelving on the walls while also adding glass to a few of your cabinet doors. Then, arrange your dishes and decor by color or function to create a functional design element.
Budget-friendly: Basic boards from a hardware store paired with simple brackets would cost between $55 and $200 per shelf, plus the cost of the brackets ($18 to $45 per bracket).
Mid-range: Higher-quality shelves made of pine, oak, or maple and floating shelves cost approximately $200 to $700 per shelf, depending on the size of the board. Floating shelves also require installing heavy-duty dowels and brackets into the studs for stability.
High-end: Custom-designed shelves with premium materials like tempered glass, paired with up or down lighting, can range from $700 to $1,500 or more per shelf.
A well-planned hidden pantry can be a game-changer, especially for smaller kitchens. While large, walk-in pantries often require considerable space you might not have. Instead, store bulky items in wall niches or under-stair compartments using open shelving or stashed behind a reclaimed door.
You could also convert a closet into a pantry or turn a section of your cabinets into a pantry using prefab cabinets from the hardware store.
Budget-friendly: Convert an existing closet or unused nook using a simple wire shelving system for storage, paint, and a new, more modern interior door for between $300 and $500.
Mid-range: Prefabricated pantry cabinets can stand alone in unused corners or walls. Choosing a cabinet with roll-out shelving, built-in lighting, new hardware, and a matching door will cost approximately $900 to $1,500.
High-end: Premium materials built to match your existing kitchen setup with custom shelving systems might total $3,500 or more, especially if you extend your built-in pantry shelves to the ceiling.
Modern kitchen remodel ideas embrace technology, from motion-sensor faucets to refrigerators that help you track groceries. Replacing outdated appliances with artfully crafted smart appliances can make cooking fun while simultaneously refreshing the space.
Tech upgrades for your kitchen can include everything from voice-activated lighting and luxury coffee machines to smart ovens and WiFi-enabled refrigerators with custom doors.
Budget-friendly: Entry-level smart devices like a Wi-Fi-enabled pressure cooker, a motion-sensor faucet, or voice-activated lighting cost between $80 and $350.
Mid-range: Smrt ovens with WiFi and fast-boil technologies, refrigerators with touchscreens, and eco-friendly dishwashers range from $540 to $3,200.
High-end: Premium integrated systems, like panel-ready refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers with advanced smart features, can easily exceed $15,000.
Natural light has a way of making any space feel bigger, brighter, and more welcoming. Upgrading to larger windows or replacing a solid exterior door with a sleek glass-paneled model can dramatically improve the ambiance and help you get more natural light. Plus, bigger windows complement nearly all kitchen remodeling ideas.
Budget-friendly: Upgrading your existing windows and doors to panels that let in more light can run somewhere between $400 and $1,500 per window or door, depending on the size.
Mid-range: Opening up your walls to add larger double-hung picture windows can cost $700 to $2,500 per window.
High-end: Expansive bay windows, large picture windows, and sliding glass doors can reach $4,000 to $10,000 or more.
When you want to refresh your space quickly and make a big impact, look no further than your walls. A one-color approach might feel clean and neutral, but adding a complementary color and texture or two breathes new life into a dated kitchen.
Your options for mixing and matching are endless. Timeless subway tiles, bold patterned wallpaper, and new paint schemes are all high-impact, budget-friendly kitchen makeover ideas.
Budget-friendly: Repainting walls a newer, fresher color or adding a second complementary hue to certain spaces can amp up your design for little money. Focus on your ceiling or space behind the stove to create an accent wall. A gallon or two of paint will cost between $55 and $175.
Mid-range: Today’s wallpaper designs are bold, whimsical, and perfect for a quick kitchen reheat. You don’t need to invest in a lot of material to make a big impact on your dining nooks, pantries, or accent walls. Wallpaper costs between $40 to $150 per roll.
High-end: Adding a tile backsplash is a statement, especially if you lay it in a design like stacked or herringbone. Tile costs vary by material and the labor to install it. Porcelain or stone can range from $15 to $70 per square foot, while brick costs $10 to $40 per square foot. Marble tiles can exceed $100 per square foot installed.
Lighting is often an overlooked design trick, but it can be the focal point that ties your kitchen design and remodel together.
Consider adding statement fixtures like chandeliers or pendant lights over islands, breakfast bars, or dining tables. Under-cabinet lighting adds warmth and creates a moody vibe. Recessed lighting provides a clean, modern look and ample overhead illumination.
Budget-friendly: Subbing out your existing fixtures with statement pendants or chandeliers are suitable for a weekend DIY. Your cost is simply the materials, which can range from $50 per light to $300 or more, depending on your chosen design.
Mid-range: Adding flush-mount recessed lights and undercabinet lights is usually a project best left to professionals. Here, you’ll budget for the fixture, dimmer switches, and some additional wiring, which can cost approximately $300 to $800 per fixture.
High-end: Custom or designer chandeliers, integrated smart lighting systems, and specialized finishes like brass or artisan glass might total $800 to $1,600 or more.
When demolition and layout reconfigurations are out of the question, upgrade what you have. Countertops are a large part of your kitchen, and replacing them greatly improves your home’s aesthetic. There is no shortage of countertop materials to choose from, and many suppliers have remnant slabs from other jobs they are willing to part with for less.
Budget-friendly: Ceramic, laminate, and porcelain are all countertop materials that fall on the lower end of the cost spectrum. You can get these materials from $1 to $30 per square foot.
Mid-range: Granite, solid-stone slabs, and butcher block will cost between $10 to $55 per square foot.
High-end: Custom-cut marble, quartz, and concrete slabs are more expensive, usually between $15 and $75 per square foot.
Coffee enthusiasts and party hosts will appreciate a specialized beverage station. This niche area can be as straightforward or lavish as you desire, from a basic countertop coffee maker setup to a built-in espresso machine with its own sink.
Budget-friendly: A simple drip coffee maker, a small cart or table, and storage containers for drink essentials would cost between $100 and $300.
Mid-range: A higher-end coffee maker or espresso machine, plus custom shelves or cabinetry and a small bar fridge, cost approximately $450 to $2,200.
High-end: Built-in espresso machines, dedicated plumbing, premium cabinetry finishes, and top-of-the-line wine fridges might total $1,000 to $7,000 or more.
With just a few architectural design details, any standard kitchen can become a custom work of art. Incorporate features like decorative ceilings, crown moulding and baseboards, or arched openings to give the space personality and warmth.
Budget-friendly: Millwork like crown molding and baseboards can add a sense of craftsmanship to any kitchen without spending a lot of money. Go for higher-end materials and thicker baseboards. If you choose to have this installed professionally, you’ll pay between $5 to $25 per linear foot.
Mid-range: Replace standard rectangular doorways with gentle curves for a touch of old-world elegance. Arches can help soften the overall look of a kitchen and connect spaces in a more graceful way. If you consider yourself handy, you can purchase a DIY kit online and complete the project for about $100 per arch or have a professional do it for between $750 and $2,000.
High-end: Revamp an often overlooked area of your kitchen, the ceiling, with exposed beams and coffered ceilings. These projects draw the eye up. Coffered ceilings can be done for $10 to $40 per square foot, while adding beams cost between $1,500 and $5,000.
Still have questions about upcoming kitchen remodel ideas? We’ve got you covered.
For a cramped layout, prioritize vertical storage and foldable or retractable surfaces. Drop-down tables or maximizing the storage in your cabinets are a great way to ensure you use every valuable inch of your kitchen. (Don’t forget about the space around your fridge!) Also, consider slimline appliances designed for compact areas. Integrating under-cabinet lighting can also make the kitchen appear larger and more inviting.
Adding white or neutral shades on walls, cabinets, and countertops reflects light, which helps create an airy feel in cramped rooms. You can also remove some upper cabinets and install open shelving in its place. Keep countertops clutter-free and appliances stowed out of sight to reduce visual chaos.
While every project is unique, a typical kitchen remodel will follow these steps:
Budgeting for your kitchen remodel depends on the scope and your design preferences. Generally speaking, it’s best to follow the 30% rule in home renovation, which suggests you don’t spend more than 30% of your home’s purchase price on home renovations. For kitchen remodels, many homeowners spend between 5% and 15% of their home’s value.
