July 17

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Remodeling Kitchen: Kitchen Top Design Trends & Lifehacks 2019

By Brian McMonagle

July 17, 2019


Remodelling a kitchen is a huge task for any home, but it is a task which can elevate the entire look and vibe of a space. The kitchen is the one place in your home where people can convene and work on a culinary project together. For all intents and purposes, a kitchen always serves as the heart of a home, in which people inevitably visit at least once a day.

It can be a Herculean task to get your kitchen into its tip-top shape, and it definitely won’t be a project that will be finished overnight. You may find yourself having to do a lot of planning, premeditating, and consulting before jumping in. If you don’t have a good grasp of what to expect, and what to do prior to starting you will probably begin to feel overwhelmed. Not to worry however, because we’ve compiled this handy article to make sure you’re right on track and that everything is in place!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of kitchen remodelling, let’s first get an overview of some technicalities.

Remodeling kitchen ideas

Why should you remodel your kitchen?

There are multiple reasons why you should begin a remodelling project as soon as you can. Here are some of the most important reasons:

  • Deterioration - This is one of the most pressing motivations for a kitchen revamp. Your space may be falling apart and is becoming uninhabitable, which is why a complete renovation is badly needed.
  • Energy Savings - A study has shown that older houses that haven’t been renovated may be costing you more when it comes to electricity bills. By treating your kitchen with an overall approach, you will be able to improve the space's energy efficiency. This means that on top of a spruced up, new kitchen, you’ll be able to enjoy savings on your monthly utilities as well.
  • Lifestyle - Your older kitchen may have been able to accommodate the bare bones of cooking and food preparation, but as your family grows and skills improve, you may well find yourself in need of a bigger kitchen.

These are just some of the most common reasons why a kitchen renovation is necessary, and if you find yourself agreeing, then read on! It’s definitely an exciting home project that you’ll reap the benefits of for years to come. However, it’s certainly not something that you can begin flippantly. It will inevitably need a huge chunk of your budget, since the kitchen is a huge part of your home.

You may be finding it overwhelming now, but take a deep breath. Let’s take it one step at a time. To give you some inspiration, we’ve gathered the best design trends for kitchens. This may just serve as a motivation for you to kickstart the project!

Kitchen remodeling tips

Top 6 Remodelling Kitchen Ideas

  1. Neutral Tones - The kitchen is one of the most comforting, relaxed areas in your home, and the corresponding colour palette should match. Veer away from popping bright colours onto fixtures such as cabinets and countertops as it can just be too much for the eyes. Instead, opt for soft greys, white, and beige to give a calming, homey effect. 

  2. Classy Countertops - The perfect way to give your kitchen that extra boost of luxury is to include a classy countertop. A trend that will never go out of style are marble, granite, and quartz countertops that instantly make your whole kitchen feel posh and lush. You’ll have to find one that suits your home, and your needs so don’t be afraid to ask around for the perfect fit for your kitchen.

  3. Playful Pastels - While we do discourage bright tones, don’t be afraid to play with pastels! This is a great way to get creative with your space without it being an eyesore. These will work elegantly with classic tones and give your kitchen the youthful, refreshed look it needs.

  4. Don’t Forget the Backsplash - Sure, the cabinets, floor designs, and countertops may be taking the limelight of the remodelling, but the backsplash is definitely something that you should take into account as well. It will be able to enhance the small details of your kitchen as well as being an eye-catching piece in the room.

  5. Utilise Open Shelving - If you’re working with limited space, then open shelving may be the perfect idea for you. This is perfect to create the illusion of space, rather than closed cabinets which will make your kitchen feel smaller than it is. You can use open shelves to display fine china or other appealing things to add to the overall aesthetics of the kitchen.

Go Green with Natural Accents - Nature is known to elevate one’s mood, and there’s definitely reason for lush greens to find themselves in your kitchen. Eco-friendly accent pieces will give your kitchen a more refreshing and calming look! It’s best to opt for low-maintenance plants that you won’t have to worry about watering every day.

How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen?

The truth is that, there’s really no fixed cost when it comes to remodelling a kitchen. It depends on how much space you have, how extravagant you want to be, and what your kitchen necessities are. In spite of that, it’s still important that you know at least the ballpark cost before going into remodelling.

On average, you may find yourself shelling out $23,706 or $150 per square foot. However, smaller projects may just be around $10,000 and $15,000. This price point may only include the bare bones of the renovation, and you’ll likely spend more with additional features.

No need to get discouraged by the idea of hefty price tags just yet; It is very possible to remodel your kitchen on a budget!

What to consider when remodeling a kitchen

Kitchen Remodel Ideas on a Budget

  1. Swap Out Cabinet Hardware! - You were probably already thinking of changing your cabinets to make a huge difference, but you don’t need to go through all that trouble and cost! A quick fix is to just change the cabinet doors to a complementing colour of hardware and it will instantly look refreshed and elegant.

  2. DIY Lighting - A kitchen remodelling project involved having to outsource electricians and such. However, to save money, you can take on little DIY projects such as using a recessed lighting conversion kit that doesn’t require a professional! These are relatively cheap and easy to install. 

  3. Paint the Floors - Changing the flooring of the kitchen is one of the major costs of remodelling, and it can definitely put a dent on your budget. Instead, you can paint your subflooring for a budget-friendly option!

  4. Update the Backsplash - Most people tend to overlook the backsplash but changing this one thing can cause a huge difference in your kitchen. Shop around for a backsplash that works well with the fixtures you intend to keep. Make the change and wait for your kitchen feel like a new one!

Clean the Clutter - This sounds like such basic advice but it makes a world of difference. Trust us. Making the simple act of putting everything in an organised and designated area will make your kitchen feel more spacious and breathable. One quick change you can make is to buy organisers and keep your small things hidden and stored away!

What to consider when remodelling a kitchen?

  • Longevity of Design and Style -  Let’s face it: there are some design trends that only last for a season before being swapped out with The Next Big Thing in the blink of an eye. It’s important that you choose a style that will be long-lasting and can stand the test of time. Otherwise, you may find yourself remodelling more often than necessary because you’ve already got tired of the existing design.
Kitchen’s Functionality - Your kitchen may be the most Instagrammable kitchen in your neighbourhood, but if you can’t cook comfortably in it then it defeats the purpose. Your remodelled kitchen should combine both function and form, as the kitchen is the most important part of any home. Always keep the use of your kitchen in mind whenever making any design decisions along the way. 

Last Kitchen Remodelling Tips, Lifehacks, and Regrets

Organise your cabinets for a clean, seamless look in your kitchen.

  • Set a budget beforehand, and do your best to stick to it.
  • Choose focal lighting that brightens the entire room.
  • Don’t suffer from kitchen remodel regrets just because you chose for the room to be more beautiful than it is functional.
remodelling kitchen

It’s important you have a good grasp on what the whole remodelling process will look like before starting. Don’t forget to have a remodelling plan ready, know the breakdown of your possible costs, make it work within your budget, and never sacrifice quality and design. 

Planning to remodel your kitchen but on a tight budget? Take your kitchen to the next level with McMonagle Marble & Granite and kickstart your kitchen makeover!

Brian McMonagle

About the author

Brian took over McMonagle Marble & Granite from his father Cathal in 2009. A family run business McMonagles was originally a fireplace distributer. Brian’s innovative steps has now expanded the company to over 20 employees, International markets and into the leading marble and granite fabricator of the North West of Ireland.

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