If you look up “kitchen remodel ideas” online, most advice you’ll read focuses on what’s “cheap” or “easy.”
Is that really what you want, though?
Let’s be honest…those aren’t the outcomes most of us want, so they shouldn’t be what we search for. You’re actually looking for kitchen renovation ideas that improve your day-to-day life.
What could “improve” mean?
- It reduces clutter
- It makes cooking easier
- It makes it a joy to use your kitchen
- Others want to be there, too!
- Or it brings you joy because it’s beautiful
Now, get ready to flip the script. Forget “cheap” and “easy.” Let’s talk about impact. Keep reading to see what simple but meaningful changes can transform how you use and love your kitchen without breaking down walls in a full renovation…
The Power of Small Changes for Big Impact
Some small changes can transform the way your kitchen feels and functions. These aren’t just aesthetic upgrades…they’re lifestyle upgrades.
Here’s a list of high-impact kitchen remodel ideas that don’t require a full renovation but CAN and will change the way you live…
- A fresh coat of paint – A new color on the walls can immediately revitalize your space.
- Updated lighting fixtures – Stylish pendants or chandeliers instantly elevate a kitchen. Just check out some of the newest lighting on the market, and the EXTRAORDINARY designs out there right now…it’s hard not to get excited!!
- Undercabinet lighting – Brighten up your workspaces and add ambiance with simple LED strips, just like you see in the kitchen of this legacy lake home.
- Upgraded appliances – New, more efficient, and more beautiful appliances can make cooking a pleasure and improve energy use. Look at some of these exquisite epicurean brands and their newest innovations…when have you seen such remarkable designs?!
- More functional ceiling lighting – Add more can lights to the ceiling and make your kitchen feel more open, all while increasing functional lighting. Don’t forget to install the new lights with dimmers…then, you’ll be set for every ambiance, no matter the occasion.
- Update your cabinet hardware – Swapping out old knobs and pulls for a more modern designs can give your kitchen an instant facelift. Consider it the “jewelry” of your kitchen!! Keep reading to learn how to select the right cabinet hardware for your household…
- Backsplash refresh – Adding or replacing the backsplash can bring new color and texture to your kitchen.
- Open shelving – Remove a few upper cabinets and replace them with open shelving to add character and to show off your style.
- Replace the sink and faucet – A new, modern sink and faucet can dramatically update the look and functionality of your kitchen…if you install a smart faucet, you’ll REALLY enjoy a functional difference!!
- Install a pot filler – Adding a pot filler above the stove offers convenience and brings a touch of luxury to your kitchen, too.
- Upgrade countertops – Swap out old countertops for new surfaces, like quartz or granite, to add elegance and durability.
- Add (or replace) a kitchen island – A functionally optimized island can provide extra prep space, improved storage, and seating. The more customized the island to your needs and lifestyle, the better…
- Install soft-close cabinet hinges and drawers – If you don’t already have these, get them installed now. This very small touch makes a HUGE difference as you rummage through the kitchen on a day-to-day basis.
- Install a coffee or beverage station – Dedicate a small corner of your kitchen to a pull-out or hide-away coffee or beverage station for convenience and daily delight.
- Update the window treatments – New blinds, curtains, or shades can add color and update the look of your kitchen in a big way, too. Remember: we’re your local Graber Blinds dealer.
- Install a stylish range hood you truly love – A new range hood can become your kitchen’s new focal point while ALSO improving ventilation. It will be a beauty to show off and make cleaning SO much easier as the hood works to remove grease and grime.
- Organize your pantry with pull-out shelves and other customizations – Adding pull-out shelving, lazy Susans, and other custom storage solutions makes your pantry FAR more accessible, and also better at optimizing space.
When Small Changes Lead to Bigger Ideas…
Sometimes, a small change is not just “all you need,” it’s EXACTLY what you need.
…Other times, it opens the door to a bigger project that you didn’t realize could be worth considering.
Let’s take a closer look at three of the ideas above with the potential to turn into much more…and why that could be a good thing.
1: Upgrading appliances
Switching out your old appliances for something more efficient and attractive seems simple enough, right?
You could stop there…but appliances are often the biggest investment in a kitchen remodel. If you’re going to invest in a sleek new range and fridge, it might be your chance to think about what else could be improved at the same time.
Another crucial factor to consider: appliances don’t always fit perfectly into the space left by the old ones. If your new fridge is a different size, it could affect everything around it—from your cabinets to your countertops to your flooring.
And when you’re already pulling things apart to make room for new appliances, why not take a step back and ask: What else would make this kitchen perfect for me?
At the end of the day, a simple appliance swap could be the catalyst for a bigger, more rewarding project. But that depends on where the biggest benefit lies for you.
2: Adding undercabinet lighting
Undercabinet lighting brightens your countertops and makes prep work so much easier. It also looks elegant and beautiful, and shows off your backsplash tile, too.
Installing undercabinet lighting is relatively straightforward. Once you see how dramatically the lighting changes your kitchen, though, you might start to wonder what else you could enhance.
For example, undercabinet lighting can highlight how much space (or lack of space) you have between your counters and upper cabinets. If you’re starting to feel cramped, it might make sense to open things up…maybe even replace those upper cabinets with open shelving or explore ways to optimize storage.
It turns out that a small lighting update could spark the idea to improve the look and storage of your entire kitchen!
3: Updating lighting fixtures
Swapping out an old chandelier or pendant light is one of the fastest ways to change the look of your kitchen. But lighting does more than just set the mood. It changes the functionality of your space.
If you’re upgrading your kitchen light fixtures, consider how that could be done while also updating other areas in need of improvement…
For example, new lighting might make you see just how much your ceiling could benefit from a fresh coat of paint…or that your outdated ceiling fan no longer fits the modern look you’re going for.
When you see your kitchen in a literal new light, it’s easier to envision how other upgrades could turn the space into a real dream come true.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Once you start thinking about these kitchen remodel ideas, the next question naturally comes up is:
How long will this take?
It’s the first thing we ask as homeowners, right?! Once we know what we want, and what kitchen upgrades are most important to us, we immediately want to know when and how we can do it.
While MANY of the ideas listed above are relatively quick, the timeline will vary depending on several key factors. Here’s what can influence how long your kitchen remodel might take…
- Appliance availability: Some appliances are sometimes on backorder, or take more time to ship. Others are custom made for each order.
- Shipping time for materials: If you’re choosing custom or specialized materials, shipping times can vary, too.
- Customizations: Custom cabinets, countertops, or other personalized selections could also add to the timeline.
- Who you hire: Depending on the kitchen remodeling company you hire, project timelines can differ significantly.
- Permits: Larger projects might require permits, which adds another step to the process.
- Unexpected issues: Older homes, in particular, can come with surprises that extend the project timeline.
In the end, your kitchen remodel doesn’t have to take months…but being aware of these factors WILL help you set realistic expectations.
The key is finding the right balance between updates that give you instant results and investing in the changes that keep you loving your home for years to come.
Keep reading to tackle the next question: what does a kitchen remodel cost?
About the author
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
About the author
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
