While some home renovation projects are boring but necessary, remodeling the kitchen has a way of sparking the imagination of homeowners, as not only can a new kitchen increase your productivity at mealtime, but it is fun to show off to guests, as well.
If you are at the point where you are ready to do something new with your cook space, the following modern and inspiring projects may be a great place to start.
1. Switch Up the Color Scheme
Whether your kitchen walls have been stained by grease, or you are simply ready for a new look, re-painting your kitchen is one of the simplest and most cost-effective remodeling projects out there.
While white kitchens with touches of bold, such as aqua or chartreuse cabinet facings and island skirting, have been common for a while, many modern designers are switching this up, using the bold hue as the base color with white as a complement. This makes for a fun environment for younger residents, or families with small children.
If you do decide to go more bold with the color scheme, you will want to make sure it matches the overall theme of the kitchen. While bold may not go with traditional wood cabinets or marble surfaces, customizable acrylic countertops can be fabricated in a vast array of designs and color schemes to complete the ideal atmosphere in your kitchen.
2. Heat Up the Kitchen Floor
The most popular kitchen floor materials, such as hardwood, tile, and luxury vinyl plank, may not look much alike, but they share non-staining properties and the ability to withstand a dropped pot or pan.
However, they also share another, less-flattering property: these hard surfaces tend to be very cold, causing residents to walk on their tiptoes and/or search for a pair of slippers when preparing breakfast on brisk mornings.
Therefore, if you are installing a new floor in your kitchen, consider the benefits of radiant floor heating before sealing down the tile. This innovative system permeates heat up through a space in a consistent, even manner, much the same as a stove top provides heat to a pan. Not only will it make your kitchen floor cozy, but it can potentially reduce overall heating costs, as the consistent distribution of heat limits cold air pockets that may cause your HVAC system to work overtime.
3. Ditch the Cabinets
There is no doubt that quality, well-tended cabinets can provide a classy aspect to a kitchen. However, cabinets can be a bit cumbersome to design around, taking attention away from other chic features of your kitchen. They can also get damaged and become annoying as residents bang around in search of a necessary item.
As such, a popular trend in kitchen design has seen cabinets replaced with open shelves. This more minimal approach to storage allows for a more balanced appearance in the kitchen while allowing residents to easily search for and creatively display their china.
If you are excited about the idea of open shelving in your kitchen, a further touch of creativity would be to include custom handrails at various points. Not only will these structures add to the ambience of the kitchen and assist in crouching and rising in tough-to-reach areas, but they can also be used for displaying kitchen laundry and hanging some items for easy access.
4. Go as Green as Possible
Not only are energy-efficient kitchens attractive to socially conscious buyers, but going green can help you save on utility costs. Therefore, when upgrading the kitchen, consider the following projects to help make it as energy-efficient as possible:
Replace appliances with Energy Star certified models. For example, some modern dishwashers use as little as four gallons of water to complete a cleaning cycle
Install a large kitchen window to allow natural light to flow through the area and reduce the amount that electric lights need to be used
Add low flow adapters to sink faucets to limit water use
Conclusion
Kitchen remodeling projects are among the most exciting renovations a homeowner can undertake and if done correctly, can increase the functionality, aesthetics, and overall value of your home. Modern and inspiring projects such as bold color schemes, heated hard flooring, and open shelving are some trendy ideas that can help set your kitchen apart.
Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
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