One of the best parts of undertaking a kitchen remodel is the opportunity to customize the space exactly as you want it. Whether you’re moving into a new house near Fenton or ready for a change at your longtime home, your kitchen can easily be renovated to reflect your evolving tastes, needs, and lifestyle.
While the abundance of options in terms of structural and design elements gives you ample freedom and flexibility, it can also seem a bit overwhelming when you’re remodeling a kitchen in Eastern Michigan. Where do you start? What should you choose? How will it all look together? Your professional design-build remodeling team will help you with specifics, but it also doesn’t hurt to do a little research ahead of time to refine your vision and build your confidence for the project.
Top Kitchen Remodel Ideas for 2021
There are a few key factors to take into consideration when renovating your kitchen—or any space in your Fenton home. Some of those factors include how the space is used, who primarily uses the space, and what changes would optimize its function. Additionally, think about what you personally like. After all, while a remodeled kitchen adds monetary value to your home, the greatest value lies in the enjoyment you garner from being in and using the space. Finally, it helps to consider current kitchen trends, especially if you aren’t planning to stay in your home long-term.
As you prepare for an upcoming project, here are some trendy kitchen design ideas to help you wade through the plethora of decisions and choices you will face:
Kitchen Design Layouts
One of the first decisions to make has to do with the physical layout of your kitchen. Are you content with your current kitchen floorplan or would altering and/or expanding the space increase its function and convenience for your family? Some of the most popular kitchen design layouts include:
- U-shaped Kitchen. One of the most functionally sound kitchen layouts, u-shaped, or horseshoe, kitchens place units on three sides of the room while leaving the top of the “u” open as it leads into a living room or other area. This layout generally offers ample space for countertops and cabinetry.
- L-Shaped Kitchen. As the name implies, this classic kitchen layout includes two adjoining, perpendicular legs of cabinetry and countertops. It is a practical choice for a smaller kitchen.
- Galley Kitchen. A galley kitchen layout, which works well for various kitchen sizes, consists of two parallel runs of units that create a central corridor in which to work. Typically, this design places the sink on one side of the kitchen and your range on the other.
- Island Kitchen. This layout is characterized by the central freestanding island, which provides supplemental countertop space. In some cases, the island is paired with an existing l-shaped or galley kitchen to enhance the versatility and function. If you have the space, you can also design a two-island kitchen for extra luxury and convenience.
- Peninsula Kitchen. A peninsula layout is similar to the u-shaped design, in that you create a sort of horseshoe shape with cabinets and counters. However, one of the legs is not against a wall, but rather extends out from the other units. The “peninsula” can serve a similar purpose to an island.
No matter which floorplan or layout you choose for your kitchen, it serves as the starting point for developing the design style you desire.
Traditional Kitchen Ideas
The term traditional may conjure the idea of something that is old, outdated, or overdone. A traditional kitchen design, however, has much more to it than meets the eye. You can infuse your kitchen with your personality, as well as updated appliances and fixtures, and still achieve a classic look. The fun part of traditional designs is you can mix various finishes, colors, and materials for a truly customized feel. Some 2021 kitchen trends for traditional spaces include:
- Painted cabinets that feature a color or finish that reflect your home’s historical origin or a specific time period.
- Incorporating storage solutions—such as open shelving or cabinets with glass fronts—that enable you to showcase vintage dishes, antiques, and heirlooms.
- Adding embellishments to your cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, and kitchen islands, such as carved brackets on wood or a marble backsplash inlaid with decorative tiles.
- Building a coffered ceiling or using intricate crown molding and beaded-board accents to dress your kitchen with classic charm.
- A mixture of Old World architectural and design elements to achieve a distinctive Mediterranean, French, Italian, Spanish or English Country aesthetic.
- Incorporating soft, muted colors, such as creams, whites, taupes, light grays or greens. Bright colors for cabinetry and wall treatments, however, can help illustrate a particular influence, such as Scandinavian or Bavarian.
Transitional Kitchen Ideas
A transitional kitchen, which combines elements or reference styles of the traditional design with contemporary features for a new, fresh look, was considered the most popular kitchen design for 2019 and continues to trend this year. Here are a few kitchen remodel ideas to help you create a transitional look:
- Blending traditional textures and colors with sleek, contemporary designs.
- Geometric shapes and clean, practical lines for cabinetry, countertops, and other crafted elements.
- Foregoing heavily decorative features or ornate appliques—typical of traditional kitchens—in favor of non-fussy, relaxed features.
- Incorporating mostly neutral, traditional colors, such as grays, whites, and beiges, along with a few more daring choices, such as blues, greens, and yellows, to achieve a light, airy effect.
- Using cabinets that are painted wood, wood grain, or mixed materials and that have a light to medium color. Integrated hardware and matte decorative hardware are also typical elements used for this design style.
- Installing stainless steel appliances paired with contrasting perimeter and island cabinetry. A few staples of the design include fully integrated, French-door refrigerators; updraft hoods; standard-door dishwashers; and a dual-fuel or gas range.
- Using marble countertops and backsplashes that are thick (approximately 1 ¼ inch) with waterfall edges. Quartz and quartzite countertops and mosaic and glass tile backsplashes also work with a transitional design.
- Replacing your current sink with an apron or stainless-steel single bowl sink with a brushed stainless-steel faucet.
- Selecting large-format ceramic, porcelain or stone tile or a luxury vinyl tile (LVT).
Modern Kitchen Ideas
A few words used to characterize modern kitchens include clean, sleek, and chic. This style depends on creating an open, functional, and minimalistic space that is both calming and innovative. That doesn’t mean you can’t add your own personal touches. Contemporary kitchen designs can be surprisingly versatile, from monochromatic and sophisticated to bright and whimsical. For a modern remodeled kitchen, try some of these ideas:
- Selecting a simple color scheme and bolstering natural light with the use of plenty of windows, glass French doors, and potentially a skylight.
- Incorporating warm chocolate stone that creates a smooth, seamless transition between surfaces and an intimate, cozy atmosphere.
- A classic Art Deco aesthetic with heavy geometric influences, straight and smooth lines, rich textures, and loud, vibrant colors.
- Choosing kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles or other visible hardware for a minimalistic look.
- Replacing your existing floor with polished concrete flooring for a sleek, understated edge and appealing grittiness.
- Sticking to one neutral color, such as white, gray, or black, and then adding in small pops of bright colors with the right appliances, serving ware, or piece of art.
- Experiment with design and scale when it comes to your lighting, which could include narrow, cylindrical pendants; globes; linear chandeliers; or other unique, eye-catching pieces.
- Choosing frameless, full-overlay cabinet construction.
Small Kitchen Remodel Ideas
Even if you have a small kitchen and no option to expand it, kitchen remodeling can make the space more inviting, functional, and convenient for its day-to-day use. To achieve a new look in your small kitchen, try some of these renovation ideas:
- Adding in an extra row of floor-to-ceiling cabinets or, at least, extra drawers or shelves to utilize the space below and above your cabinets—or anywhere on the walls.
- Installing wood floating shelves above an island to create more storage space.
- Replacing your appliances with smaller, more compact models that take up less room and give you more space to move around while cooking, cleaning, and socializing.
- Integrating extra shelving into your cabinets or behind any closed doors. There are plenty of other storage solutions, such as kitchen carts, mobile cabinets, and deep drawer dividers, to help you optimize the space after your kitchen remodel is finished.
- Create a cozy, compact dining nook in an empty or unused corner of your kitchen area. Ideally, you can use furniture that includes storage space beneath the seats.
- Integrating storage in front of your windows, such as open shelving that does not block your view.
- Using white, ivory, and neutral colors to help the area appear larger. However, one benefit of a smaller space is that you can select brighter, bolder colors without them becoming too overwhelming or distasteful.
Professionally Remodeling Your Fenton Kitchen
If your kitchen in Eastern Michigan is in need of a renovation, partnering with a professional home remodeler can ensure you achieve your goals for the project without creating waste or undue stress. Our team at Top Choice Builders is available to assist homeowners from Fenton to West Bloomfield, whether you want to upgrade or expand your kitchen, change the floorplan, add storage space, or create a new design aesthetic.