Since purchasing another investment property at the end of 2021 with my husband, I’ve been busy researching the best ways to remodel the kitchen and dining area on a budget. We purchased an enormous Victorian house, so designing the kitchen and dining space presents a challenge unlike the ranch homes we have previously worked on. Given the new challenge this new year, my research has helped me create a short list to share budget friendly ideas to help you create a new, modern space you’ll love cooking and gathering in for 2022 — all while still being super practical and functional.
Mix open concept shelving and hooks with standard cabinets. We all know cabinets can be expensive! Try mixing some standard cabinets with open shelving and hooks to maintain the functionality of a kitchen with these somewhat unconventional storage options. Don’t like the look of clutter on shelves? Utilize other storage space in your home (e.g. pantry) for the less attractive kitchen items (e.g. plastic containers). If using a kitchen design company, ask about their open concept cabinetry (e.g. cabinets without the doors). You’ll be surprised at the options of open concept cubbies and cabinets they offer!
Create an accent piece (e.g. island, peninsula, coffee bar, breakfast nook, etc.) to help save costs on standard cabinets. Vintage antique pieces are in right now, as are creative, distinct pieces that create a focal point in your kitchen or dining space. It’s okay to mix and match these days, so upcycle grandma or grandpa’s old dining table chairs into something beautiful! And don’t forget — that accent piece CAN be a different color!
Build around and with what you have. In this Victorian home, we found a chimney smack dab in the middle of the kitchen underneath old cabinets and drywall. We uncovered it to expose the brick, and plan to incorporate it into our kitchen design by building an island on one side of it and adding some shelves for storage to the other. You can do the same with old cabinets by painting them or changing out the pulls for an updated look, or turning that unused corner into a breakfast nook.
Play with fixtures. Lights, cabinet pulls, and kitchen hardware can be inexpensive ways to update your look (as long as you don’t do all of those at once!). Even switching out an island light or dining room chandelier can add a lot of interest to a space. Like suggestion (2) above, focusing on one or more accent pieces can help modernize a kitchen and dining area. Again, don’t be afraid to mix and match colors like the photo below!
Open concept kitchen with storage cubbies, various furniture colors and textures, and modern light fixtures
This year, may your kitchen redesign allow you to use pieces you may already have in your possession, upcycle old ones, and try something new. Non-cohesive, mixed, and textured looks are in these days, so it takes some pressure off the matchy-matchy days of kitchens from years gone by.
What’s your favorite kitchen look these days? Drop a comment or photo for us below!
Images above: Shutterstock.
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