It’s often said that life happens in the kitchen. Or if you’re of the more philosophical mindset, you could say that in the kitchen of your life, you have your choice of ingredients. Regardless, still today, the kitchen remains one of the more frequented rooms within the family home.
Memories are made in the kitchen. And if you’ve recently purchased a new home and your kitchen could use a little TLC, you probably want to get this ball rolling so that you can begin making memories in your kitchen. But where do you begin?
The truth is, with all of the options and accents available for kitchen remodels, the choices can be a bit overwhelming. But at the end of the day, it’s best to start small and build from there. And the best part of the process is, you don’t have to break the bank to design your kitchen just the way you like.
If you’re ready to make memories in your kitchen, the following will offer a few simple design ideas.
Countertops
In the last few decades, granite countertops have become incorporated into many kitchens across the country. However, raw or polished granite can be quite expensive. And unless you’re willing to fork over thousands of dollars for granite countertops, you may want to seek out a different alternative.
If you’re looking for more affordable options that lend themselves to a finer quality of interior design, the following countertop ideas may be better suited for your budget:
- Linoleum
- Faux Brick
- Copper
- Laminate
- Tile
- Raw wood
Depending on the elements of design and the theme you’re considering for your kitchen, the above options should suit nicely as many colors and patterns are available for most choices presented in the list. But if you’re looking for the cheaper alternative, linoleum-lined counters or laminate are likely going to be the cheapest options for your countertops.
Walls & Windows
If any part of your kitchen is going to offer a warm and inviting atmosphere for you and any of your guests, it’s going to be natural light and your color scheme. And just like with your overall interior design, you’ll have many options to consider.
For example, perhaps you like a bit of nostalgia and want to use wallpaper instead of flat color. If this is the case, consider what speaks to you the most. As such, if you want a natural feel, using earth tone wallpaper or that which depicts natural scenery will create this feel.
If you’re simply looking to liven up your kitchen and create a warm and inviting space, using neural color palettes such as soft pastels, grays, light blue, soft yellow, and the like can create a sense of calm when you enter your kitchen space.
When it comes to windows, you’re going to want adequate lighting to bring a bit of life into your kitchen. And if you’re not trying to spend any money on new window space, focusing on your window treatments should be your primary focus.
Using sheer or soft linens will allow light to pass into your kitchen. And this can create a much brighter feel which also warms up the room during the day.
Cabinetry
You can’t have a kitchen without adequate storage space. And this means that you’ll need to begin planning out what to do with your cabinets.
Maybe you already like the way your cabinets are positioned but they don’t match with your theme. If this is the case, you might consider sanding your cabinets down for a raw wood feel. Or you can paint them to match the color scheme of your kitchen as you put together your kitchen remodel.
For example, retro kitchen themes often incorporate deep pastel colors on white backgrounds. So don’t be afraid to play around with your color scheme until you get it just the way you want.
Additionally, if you’re unhappy with your cabinet layout, often you may be able to remove cabinets and reinstall them as you see fit. Though this will depend on the design and construction of the cabinets, if you want to save little money, repositioning your cabinets may provide a greater solution.
We all want our kitchens to be inviting and comfortable. But if you’re looking for affordable solutions, you’ll have to begin thinking creatively and repurposing items that can help to facilitate the style you want your kitchen to have. Regardless, starting small and adding elements as you’re able is the best path toward creating the kitchen of your dreams.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at BlueFashion. She has been steering the website's content and editorial direction since 2013. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra's expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
