The kitchen is the heart of any home. It’s where families spend time eating dinner as well as the go-to place for entertaining guests. But, over time, kitchens age and become highly outdated. Once your kitchen is due for an upgrade, it helps to know which renovation options are available to you.

Here are 7 kitchen re-designs that are sure to have you swooning over your new space.

1. New Cabinets

Throughout the years, cabinets take a beating. From dings to food stains to general aging, older cabinets can be an eyesore if you’re looking to modernize your kitchen. When it comes time to upgrade your cabinets, you have two options. You can choose to remove all of the existing cabinets and replace them or you can resurface and refinish the existing cabinets.

Removing the existing cabinets gives you more flexibility and room for creativity. With no cabinets you have a blank canvas. You can install taller cabinets, different size cabinets, and even increase your kitchen storage.

If you’re looking for a less expensive way to makeover your kitchen, consider refinishing your existing cabinets. Depending on the condition of your cabinets, you may be able to sand them down and either paint or stain them. Freshly painted or stained cabinets will make a huge difference in your kitchen.

 

2. Window Upgrade

Traditional windows get the job done, but over time, windows can start to leak air or become discolored and worn. If your windows are nearing the end of their lifespan, why not upgrade them with a new style? There are all sorts of window upgrades to choose from that can drastically change the ambiance of your kitchen.

Looking to let in more natural light? Consider installing a bay window or a casement window which are well-liked for those looking to embrace outdoor light. Installing a new type of window will give your kitchen an entirely new look!

 

3. New Flooring

Since kitchens tend to be high traffic areas, chances are your floors have definitely seen better days. Installing new flooring in your kitchen can bring new life to the space while also making it much easier to maintain and clean. Top options for kitchen flooring include:

  • Bamboo
  • Ceramic tile
  • Porcelain
  • Natural stone
  • Laminate

When choosing flooring, make sure that you factor in durability, life-span, ease of cleaning, and ability to withstand moisture. Spills in kitchens are a part of life so the flooring you choose needs to be durable enough to not be impacted by water or other liquids.

 

4. Countertop Makeover

Old kitchens are infamous for their highly outdated countertops. Not only do countertops age, they’re prone to stains and other imperfections that can make them highly undesirable. If you want to make a wow statement in your kitchen, start by upgrading the countertops. Granite and quartz are top materials for countertops. Both come in a variety of colors, designs, and textures, so you’re sure to find one that fits the vision of your dream kitchen.

 

5. Lighting

Natural lighting is one thing, but the lighting inside of your kitchen can make the space more functional. While you likely want to have a focal piece light above your kitchen table or bar area, having additional lighting is a must.

Recessed lighting with the ability to control the brightness of the light is a nice touch to any space. With the ability to control the lighting, you can set the mood for a family dinner or for wining and dining with your spouse!

6. New Hardware

Are you on a small budget but want to redesign your kitchen? Something as simple as swapping out the hardware and installing new pieces can make a huge difference in the look of the space. Odds are you have the original hardware from when your home is built. For less than $100, you can swap out all of your cabinet hardware to include knobs, pulls, and even hinges. If your budget allows it, swap out your kitchen faucet as well!

 

7. New Appliances

There’s nothing worse than having old appliances in a modern kitchen. If you’ve taken the time to redo your floors, countertops, cabinets, and other elements in your kitchen, the final step is to have new appliances installed. Stainless steel and gray appliances are top options. Both finishes can fit perfectly into any kitchen style.

 

Conclusion

Renovating a kitchen can be a huge task. Breaking down a kitchen upgrade into smaller projects can make updating your kitchen feel like much less of a chore and more like an exciting part of being a homeowner! Be sure to keep these 7 redesigns in mind if you want to fall in love with your kitchen again.

What kind of renovation projects are you excited to undertake on your home in 2018? Leave your comment below.