A2Z Builders logo
Resources

How to Update an Outdated Kitchen

How to Update an Outdated Kitchen

Updating a kitchen can be a fun and empowering experience, but it’s also a big project. The good news is that there are many ways to approach this task and make it work for your unique space. If you’re feeling a little intimidated by jumping in and redoing your kitchen, here are some ideas that may help:

Find A Style You Love

You can’t choose a style without first deciding what kind of kitchen updates you want. Consider your lifestyle, the amount of time and money you’re willing to spend, and how much help you need from professionals.

Let’s start with some of the more common styles:

 

  • Traditional – The traditional kitchen looks like it belongs in someone’s grandmother’s house, but that doesn’t mean it’s obsolete! It works well for families who want to pass on their home decor through generations or couples who love having friends over for dinner parties. It also works if your kitchen is small and cozy, since traditional kitchens tend to be smaller than others.

  • Contemporary – Nowadays, contemporary kitchens are all about clean lines, sleek surfaces and lots of open space (think stainless steel appliances). You’ll probably find yourself spending more time in these kitchens because they’re so comfortable—and because there isn’t as much clutter around! If your budget allows it (and if you don’t mind making a few changes), this could be the right choice for your home.

  • Rustic/Country – This style tends towards casualness with rich colors like browns or deep reds paired with lighter woods like pine or cedar paneling—which makes sense when considering that most rustic homes are located in rural areas where people live off-grid without electricity or running water! If this sounds appealing then go ahead and update those cabinets while keeping whatever else fits within budget limits.

 Give Your Cabinets An Upgrade

 

Selecting the right size cabinets for your space is essential to giving your kitchen update a fresh look. If you have a large amount of storage, consider adding some smaller cabinets or open shelves to make the space feel more airy and minimal.

If you’re looking for a more traditional style, go for distressed wood finishes that will complement any color palette. Alternatively, if your kitchen has a more contemporary vibe going on (and let’s be honest, most do), go with a sleek lacquer finish.

In addition to choosing the right style and finish, there are plenty of other ways to give your cabinetry an upgrade—from new hardware to painting over old laminate surfaces with fresh paint colors—but these tips should get you started!

Keep The Kitchen Update In Mind When Choosing New Appliances

When choosing new appliances for your updated kitchen, it’s important to keep in mind the size and shape of your kitchen. Some kitchens are long and narrow with little counter space, while others are large and spacious.

You’ll want to consider the amount of space you have for appliances before picking out a refrigerator, dishwasher or oven range. If you’re replacing an old fridge or freezer with something similar in size, don’t forget to take measurements before purchasing one—just because they fit in now doesn’t mean they’ll fit later on down the line! 

If you have an older range that doesn’t leave much room for pots and pans on top (which is usually more common than not), look into getting one with storage drawers underneath.

 Consider Some Added Storage

 

  • Consider a pantry – “Pantries are great for hiding the clutter of everyday life,” says Alana McAlpin, founder of Room Service Interiors. “You can create a custom look by adding shelving, cabinets and even a desk.”
  • Add storage above the sink – If you have an island or peninsula, consider putting some extra storage in it. You can also add additional shelving or cabinets on the wall opposite your sink (or above it) to free up some countertop space while still keeping things handy.
  • Add drawers below cabinets instead of cupboards over them – Drawers are perfect for holding smaller items like measuring spoons and baking sheets—making them easy to access at any time during meal prep!

Choose A Backsplash That Inspires 

In the world of backsplashes, there are many options for you to choose from—wooden tiles and metal planks; glass slabs or stone carvings. You can go all out with a mosaic or tile pattern, or go simple with plain white subway tiles. Whatever your style, there’s sure to be one that will match your kitchen’s theme perfectly.

How Much Lighting Is Enough?

Key for safety – You need to be able to see in your kitchen so you don’t trip over things, or injure yourself.

Sets mood and atmosphere – The right light can set the tone of your kitchen update and create an inviting space that makes you want to cook and entertain more often, which will make it feel more like home.

Important when cooking – if you have poor lighting in the kitchen it can make food preparation difficult or even downright dangerous! Light spills through windows are great for this purpose but can also cause glare on surfaces such as stainless steel appliances (which we will talk about below). 

We recommend using track lights with dimmers so that you can adjust them according to how much light you need at any given time – this may mean turning them off entirely during dinner parties! 

Choose Tile Flooring for Longevity 

 

Tile flooring is an excellent choice for modern kitchens, as it’s durable, easy to clean and replace, and can be used in a variety of designs. Tile flooring also comes in a wide range of colors, sizes and patterns—from large tiles with muted color schemes to small accent tiles that add color and pattern—so you can choose exactly what you want for your space. 

If you’re looking for something more unique than plain black or white marble tile (and who isn’t?), then don’t stress: there are plenty of resources out there that offer custom-made pieces at reasonable prices. 

A New Faucet Never Hurt Anyone

The faucet is the centerpiece of your kitchen sink—its design, color and shape can make or break how your kitchen feels. If you’re looking to refresh your space with something new, consider replacing an outdated faucet. Here are some tips for finding the perfect option:

Go long! Make sure you have enough counter space to accommodate a long faucet that reaches over your sink. This might mean moving around other fixtures in order for everything to be within arm’s reach.

With A Little Work and Money, You Can Update Your Kitchen 

With a little work and money, you can update your kitchen. You can do it yourself or hire a professional. Here are some more tips and tricks for updating your kitchen:

Get rid of the old cabinets, countertops and floor. This will require major demolition work so make sure you have a few extra days on hand to complete this project in one go. Make sure all areas are cleaned thoroughly after removing old materials before installing new ones!

Install new cabinets with modern hardware like pull-out drawers and doors that swing open completely for easy access to pots/pans inside them! You’ll want them made with sturdy materials like wood because they’ll take more abuse than metal ones would– especially if children live in your home.

 

As a wrap-up

We hope that this guide to updating an outdated kitchen was helpful and inspiring. Let us know how it goes.

Contact us to learn more about how A2Z Builders can work with you to design, construct, and hand over a remodeled or rebuilt house  that you can call a home. 

Related Posts

See all related posts:
Skip to content