Customize Your Kitchen
Classic white cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, elegant granite countertops and striking wall and floor tile fill this kitchen with designer style. A Lowe’s in-store professional transformed the room’s look and layout to create a bright and open gathering space.
Closed-Off and Blah
Before the renovation, a peninsula hampered flow between the kitchen and an adjacent eating nook. At the other end of the kitchen, a narrow doorway — blocked when the refrigerator was open — led to the dining room.
Style-wise, the kitchen lacked warmth and personality. White appliances and white cabinets (with white knobs) came off as bland and sterile. The mix of colors, patterns and finishes was more of a hodge-podge than a coordinated palette.
Open and Eye-Catching
The old peninsula is gone, creating a more open layout and a better spot for the refrigerator. A new island-like peninsula bridges the now wider opening between the kitchen and dining room.
The new kitchen design is more personalized and polished. Warm white cabinetry provides a gentle contrast to stainless-steel appliances, while sophisticated grays and tans form intricate patterns in the granite countertops, subway tile backsplash and porcelain tile flooring.
1. Cooking Convenience and Character
While a gas range and a pot-filler faucet provide convenience in the cooking area, a cabinet-matching hood and a creative backsplash treatment provide character and color. Get the designer look by sprinkling custom accent tiles into a pattern of affordable field tiles — in this case, two different sizes of subway tile.
2. Charming and Capable Cleanup Zone
Create a designer-look cleanup zone by pairing a charming farmhouse sink and a shapely pull-down faucet. Surround the spacious sink with the practical beauty of granite countertops. Complete the cleanup crew by choosing a sleek and quiet stainless-steel dishwasher.
3. Pretty and Powerful Peninsula
Though the new cabinetry-matching peninsula is attached to a wall, it looks and functions more like a detached island. There’s plenty of counter space on top, room for seating on the dining room side and valuable storage on the kitchen side, including a deep drawer for pots and pans. The peninsula also holds a drawer-style microwave oven.
4. Pendants with Personality
Installing pendant lights is a quick way to bring designer style to your kitchen. The hanging fixtures come in a variety of shapes and finishes, making it easy to personalize your kitchen lighting. These brushed nickel mini pendants with bell-shaped glass shades convey a vintage look.
5. Designer Cabinet Details
Whether you plan to buy new cabinets or update the ones you have, rely on detailing to convey a designer look. These cabinets (Diamond Reflections in Peyton Maple) feature recessed door panels with beaded edging, as well as crown moulding on the uppers and fluted panels around the refrigerator. Adding crown moulding and other embellishments to existing cabinetry is a great way to get a designer look for less.
6. Keeping Room Comfort
Extend the designer kitchen look into adjacent space by creating a modern version of the old-fashioned “keeping room” — a cozy furnished space off the kitchen where family or friends can hang out. This one features comfortable seating, abundant natural light and display cabinets that match the kitchen cabinetry.
7. Treasures Behind Glass
Use glass-front display cabinets to add another designer touch to your kitchen. These units, located in the keeping room, include glass shelves and interior lights that help show off prized kitchenware and collectibles.
8. Flooring With Flourishes
Apply the designer touch to your kitchen floor by layering a colorfully patterned rug over the primary flooring. In this kitchen, a handcrafted wool rug helps define the sitting area while complementing the striking Brazilian pecan white porcelain floor tile that extends out from the main kitchen.
9. Well-Chosen Window Treatments
Well-dressed windows are the mark of a designer space. Simple allen + roth™ cotton curtain panels frame views and filter light with natural softness. A dark rod adds a bit of dramatic contrast.
Designer-Look Storage Features
Smart, stylish storage solutions help create that designer look you crave. Check out the examples in this kitchen.
10. Point-of-Use Storage
Kitchen designers know how to save steps for the cook. Take a cue from this kitchen by providing storage for cooking oils, herbs and seasonings in a narrow pullout right by the range.
11. Fashionable Function
Part of the designer mindset is hiding functional elements behind stylish disguises. For example, you can put a pretty face on kitchen waste by including a cabinetry-matching pullout in the cleanup zone with bins for trash and recycling.
12. Built-In Beauty
Built-ins are a kitchen designer’s dream because they add function without subtracting square footage. The designer of this kitchen created an attractive built-in mini pantry and wine rack by recessing cabinetry into a wall next to the new peninsula.
13. Easy-Access Shelves
Base cabinets with pull-out shelves make it easier to see and access what you have stored in your kitchen. But you don’t have to buy new cabinetry to enjoy this feature — you can retrofit existing units.
14. Designer Drop Zone
A nice designer touch in any kitchen is a drop zone where you can leave and pick up everyday household items on your way in and out. This doored message center is tucked into wall space just a few inches deep, yet it holds keys, mail, notes and more.
What Is the Best Way to Design and Plan a Kitchen?
Whether you want to give your kitchen a completely new look or just want to update a few things, our virtual kitchen designer is a great place to start. This tool lets you explore all your kitchen design ideas, find out an estimated cost for your project and consult with a designer to get every detail just right.
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade a Kitchen?
Because there is no average size kitchen and there are many factors to consider when it comes to upgrading one, cost varies by project. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to understanding the costs of a kitchen upgrade.
Materials
New cabinetry typically has the highest price tag. Countertops and tile for backsplashes follow closely behind. New flooring, lighting or faucets are also things to plan for — if those are on your list for updating.
Appliances
If you’re upgrading appliances, you can expect this to be a big part of your budget as well.
Installation and Labor
Having a Pro come in and install everything for you, if you choose to go that route, will affect cost. If you are more experienced with DIY and feel comfortable with intermediate-level projects, you can make updates to your kitchen yourself, which can help save money.
Custom Considerations
Adding custom touches to your kitchen remodel can increase expenses, too. For example, custom cabinetry will be more expensive than stock cabinets, but can create a space that’s more personalized to you and your needs.
Other Factors
- Recognize that kitchen remodel costs can vary depending on where you live.
- Some materials, like types of countertops, will cost more than others.
- Make sure you plan for the unexpected. Build in a cushion in your budget to help cover anything extra that might come up.
Before making any decisions, it’s important to understand not only the cost of the project, but what you can afford. And keep in mind, creating a new look doesn’t always mean you have to re-do the entire room. Little lifts here and there can make a big impact — so any one of the kitchen ideas mentioned above may be just the ticket to making your kitchen feel like new.