Whether you’ve just bought a fixer-upper or you’ve lived in your home for many years, there’s a good chance that your kitchen is not up to the current standards when it comes to design and functionality.
Kitchen designs have changed a lot over the years, with new trends showcasing creative uses of modern appliances, colors and materials. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to bring your outdated kitchen into the present day, transforming it into a dream cooking space that you’ll enjoy for many years to come. The best part is, you can do most of them by yourself.
Update your cabinets
Your cabinets have an impact on both the look and functionality of your kitchen. First of all, if your cabinets look old and damaged, consider replacing all of them with new ones.
Unlike traditional cabinets that were mostly made of wood, you’ll find modern cabinets that combine materials such as metal, glass, laminates and wood to create a more unique and elegant feel.
If replacing your cabinets is not on the cards, you can reface them and have them looking as good as new without spending nearly as much as you would with a full replacement. While you’re at it, you might want to consider getting rid of upper cabinetry if your kitchen still has them.
In most cases, upper cabinets make the kitchen feel crowded and smaller than it really is. By swapping them out with modern shelving, you can open up the space and have a place to display some decorative objects and dishware.
Make it open-plan
The modern kitchen is very different from the compartmentalized kitchen of the past. People don’t want their kitchens to be just a space for cooking; they want it to feel like a part of the living space where they can cook while still connecting and socializing seamlessly with the people in the adjacent living room and dining room.
If your kitchen is still a closed-off room, consider knocking down a few non-load-bearing walls to open it up to other areas of your home. Due to the complexity of this job, you’ll want to leave it to the professionals.
However, be careful when choosing who will handle the project for you; representatives from this Austin custom home builders company say that it’s better to work with a full-service construction company since it reduces the cost of the project and ensures that it proceeds exactly as envisioned.
Once you’ve opened your kitchen up, you can add more seating space in the form of countertop stools or a breakfast bar, where kids can sit while doing homework or you can entertain friends as you cook.
Swap out your appliances
The kitchen appliances available today not only look better; they also perform better. For example, you can install a smart oven that sends you notifications via a smartphone app when your cake is perfectly baked or allows you to preheat it remotely when you’re on your way back home from work.
You can also buy a smart toaster that offers personalized settings so that you always get a perfect slice every time. Importantly, make sure that the appliances you’re getting are as eco-friendly as possible.
The kitchen is the beating heart of your home. As such, it’s important to ensure that its beauty, practicality and functionality are always in line with modern standards
