Kitchen Renovation Ideas – 2020 Edition
Kitchen renovations can be fun and exciting projects and you always have the option to customize them with as much or as little remodeling as you like, so if you are curious about what your kitchen could be, it is a good idea to get in touch with a design and installation firm that can offer a portfolio of work and some suggestions about where to start. One thing homeowners can take comfort in when it comes to renovating this portion of your house is that you will receive a decent return on your investment. Studies have shown that a homeowner can expect to receive a return anywhere from 80 to 100% on their kitchen investment, so use that info to get creative!
Kitchen remodeling can also be trendy and some styles and furnishings that were popular in years past may no longer have the same draw. For those individuals seeking inspiration in 2020, you might consider some of the renovation ideas below to help get you up and motivated.
Laminates
Lamination in the kitchen was seen as outdated and from a bygone era in recent years, but laminate has been making a comeback. It is made from particle board, paper, and resins and can be tailored to virtually any color scheme you choose. It is an inexpensive option that runs between $10-30/foot and it can even be designed to look like stainless steel and copper.
Appliances
Even if your budget doesn’t allow for custom-made cabinets in the tens of thousands of dollars, you can give your kitchen a new look by adding or upgrading your appliances for much cheaper. Stainless steel countertops and refrigerators have a beautiful and modern look, while a gas range is a real eye-catcher as opposed to that white stove top that has seen better days.
Lighting
Changing the lighting in your kitchen can add a new perspective to the nooks and crannies of the space and you can split the functionality between ambient and task-oriented lighting to warm your kitchen. Track, canned and flush-mounted lighting all can give your outdated kitchen and new spark, while under-cabinet options can make working in the space a breeze.
LED lighting replaced traditional incandescent bulbs several years ago. LED light is ideal for kitchen activities and you can get lighting in different colors. LED bulbs also last a really long time. LED is the popular choice for under cabinet lighting. Under cabinet lighting helps add light to the working area and they improve the overall ambiance. Other popular choices for under cabinet lighting are Xenon lights which give an attractive warm glow and halogen lights.
Storage
You can never have enough and if it is positioned wisely, you’ll be able to have everything at your fingertips and guests may not even know the storage is there. Instead of adding another piece of furniture to the kitchen, consider increasing the size of your cabinets so they stretch to the ceiling. Making use of that otherwise wasted space will increase your storage capacity quite a bit. You might also think about mounting shelves on the back of a door or unused wall to increase the pantry size.
Paint
Should you find that new cabinetry is out of your budget, you might consider painting your existing ones to give them new life. It is amazing how splurging on countertops and giving your cabinets a makeover can update a kitchen and make it a lively space. A good rule of thumb is that paint can cheaply and easily improve your kitchen aesthetics.
The major cabinetry color categories are light tones (neutral colors) which are popular because of their simple, clean, soft look and which project a timeless style that complements other kitchen elements, medium tones such as standard shades of grey, yellow, and blue, and dark shades like emerald green, navy blue, jeweled plumb tones, and inky black. When it comes to colors, neutral colors are currently big, with favorites being tones like grey, yellow and soft greens. Black, emerald green, and navy have high-end allure.
Open Shelving
If you have specialty pieces or a matching set of dinnerware, you want to display. Open kitchen shelves are replacing wall cabinetry for those who want to display what they have. Open shelving introduces a light and airy feeling and it offers an illusion of more space, making this emerging trend particularly important for smaller kitchens. Open shelving also offers efficiency in that you can grab what you need without the need to open cabinet doors. Consider using mason jars, fruit bowls, and wine bottles as decorative elements. Open shelving works best if there’s a uniform look and you should, therefore, go for similar-colored utensils.
Open Frame Kitchen Cabinet Doors
If you don’t like the concept of a completely open cabinet but you want to display your barware or fine china, open frame kitchen cabinet doors offer a middle ground between traditional cabinets and open shelving. These cabinets feature glass panels that display what is inside your cabinet. This is a good idea for light and bright kitchens and it gives an illusion of open space. You can choose a modern or traditional design, depending on the rest of the kitchen décor.
Oak Wood Cabinetry
Oak Wood cabinetry with driftwood and Cerused finishes was popular from the 70s to the 90s. The use of cherry, maple, and a rise in engineered wood alternatives reduced the allure of Oak Wood cabinets, but the trend has started to creep back. Although materials like MDF and wood veneers seem to be here to stay, many homeowners are seeking a connection to the past by incorporating vintage designs like Oak Wood cabinetry in some parts of their homes. The appeal of Oak Wood cabinetry is that the color is natural, it offers a clean modern simplicity, and you get a rustic look.
Single Bowl Sinks
With an increased focus on functionality, today’s kitchens are coming with large single bowl sinks and multiple sinks at the expense of double bowl sinks. The decrease in the use of double bowl sinks is because hand washing dishes is no longer a regular occurrence.
WHAT KITCHEN CABINETS DO YOU DESIRE?
These ideas will get you started on the road to a full kitchen upgrade in 2020, or they will help to motivate toward the next step whatever that may be. Many of these suggestions are not terribly expensive and most homeowners can make these changes without bringing in a contractor. It’s also highly recommended to give small renovations in the kitchen a shot if you feel confident because the outcome is very rewarding.
