Secrets to On-Budget, Timeless Kitchen Design

Your home is an investment, and any decisions you make to update your home should be made to maintain or increase the value of your investment. To not do this would be silly and a waste of money.

When building a new home or planning a remodel, it’s important to take the time and effort to create a well-designed space that you love and know will look great for years. This is especially true for the kitchen because it is often the most heavily trafficked room in a home.

Ignoring shortsighted shortcuts, here are several strategies designers use to create kitchens that have enduring style while staying on budget.

Avoid Fads

Right off the bat, you should avoid fads. Whereas trends come, fade, and then reappear in a modern-day form; fads have a one-and-done lifecycle. Fads are popular for a short time and then quickly fall off the deep end.

Especially when making decisions for which materials used in your kitchen, choose products that you’ll like for many years. Nothing dates a space quicker than old design fads. Further, if you’re unsure how much longer you’ll be in your home, a kitchen that appeals to everyone (not just you) will improve your ability to sell.

Less is Often More

Refrain from packing in every little thing you like. Too much storage, décor, and fixtures will clutter your space. You can start with everything, then edit, edit, and edit some more until it’s just right. Keep it simple!

Warm Colours

If it fits with the style of the rest of your home, try and use warm colours in the main elements of your kitchen. The colours will work together to create an inviting space that is pleasant to be in. Use your décor and fixtures to add bursts of colour.

Simplify with Open Shelving

Cabinetry is the most expensive part of a kitchen. Luckily, there are ways to save without sacrificing the quality of your bathroom or kitchen cabinets. To reduce cabinetry expenses, eliminate the upper cabinets and try simple open shelving. Not only does this give your kitchen a clean, fresh look, but it reduces the visual dominance of your cabinetry and grants you better access to your countertop space.

Pre-Plan Your Storage

When you’re in the process of designing your cabinetry layout, know where you plan on storing things in your kitchen, like your silverware, small appliances, and frequently used dishware. This will require some anticipatory planning, but will ease the overall design process and ensure you have space for all your belongings.

Be Careful with Glass Cabinets

Often, many homeowners want to use expensive glass cabinets in their kitchen. However, if the insides of your cabinets tend to be cluttered with mismatched dishware, glass is not a good idea for you. Simply put, clear glass should only be used if you’re neat and orderly to an obsessive degree. If you want glass but are messy with storage, think about using frosted glass to hide the insides.

Mix & Match Backsplashes and Countertops

There is no unwritten rule that you need to use one material across your countertops and backsplashes. Go ahead and mix it up to add some personality to the space. For example, the kitchen island could feature a different counter material. Or, to create a focal point, add a special section of backsplash.

With that said, be careful about choosing too trendy of materials that border on the fad line. Select materials with a more timeless appeal, possibly with understated textures and patterns.

While there is no science behind successful design, there are definitely strategies that help to create appealing spaces. By following these tips you’ll be on your way to designing a space you love.