23 Kitchen Ideas to Upgrade Your Next Remodel
Eye-catching kitchen design ideas for a refreshing renovation.
As the heart of your home, it's important that your kitchen is a space you love spending time in. The kitchen design should suit your style and meet your needs, so it's best to consider what elements are high-priority for you. Think about which type of storage you prefer, what materials match your cleaning routine, and how to blend pretty and practical pieces.
Whether you're planning a full remodel or starting from scratch, we've put together a list of 23 beautiful kitchen design ideas. Keep reading to find kitchen ideas that you'll love.
1. High Contrast
If you want to create a stylish statement, we love the contrast of black and white. The timeless colour combination works well with any aesthetic – from classic to contemporary. Opt for black cabinets with a satin finish to complement the creamy white walls and light marble countertops. For an added pop of colour to neutral kitchen ideas, pick bar stools with bright upholstery. We love the look of the vibrant chartreuse bar stools in the photo above.
Bring the right amount of timeless appeal to your kitchen with a simple colour palette. Go for classic combinations like gray and white to create a bright kitchen design that never goes out of style. Add visual interest with a beautiful backsplash tile. Pick a square tile with a repeating design or try a tile cut in a geometric shape to complement the clean lines of a traditional-style kitchen.
Want to brighten up a farmhouse palette? Try leaning into bold colours to express your style and make your kitchen feel like your own. Choose a colourful kitchen island to anchor the space and add an extra spot for prepping ingredients, or opt for bright cabinetry that really stands out against the white walls. In the photo above, the soft mint green pairs nicely with the white shiplap walls and warm wood countertops.
With a light and bright quality that makes the room feel spacious and clean, white kitchens are a popular choice. White cabinets are versatile and go with any color countertop, backsplash, or hardware finish. Pick white cabinets with Shaker-style fronts to match a farmhouse home, or go for flat-panel fronts for an ultra-modern feel.
With plenty of space to prepare meals and mingle, open-concept kitchens are ideal for entertaining. Opt for an oversized kitchen island to provide ample room for everyone to gather in the kitchen. Maintain the airy feeling with exposed shelving. The open shelving provides easy access to your favourite dinnerware – plus you get to highlight all of your prized pieces.
One of the best ways to elevate a neutral kitchen is choosing a variety of natural textures. Pick elements that add subtle dimension, such as wood cabinetry that highlights the variation in the wood grain or a stunning terracotta floor tile. The rich textures and high-quality construction will last for a long time and look better with age.
If you're looking for an eye-catching way to upgrade your kitchen ideas, go for stylish backsplash that draws your eye up. Extend the backsplash up the wall and hang a narrow shelf that is installed right above the backsplash. This is the perfect spot to prop up a set of framed prints or keep cooking essentials close by.
Bring natural beauty to your kitchen with wood paneling. Wood wall paneling comes in a wide range of shades, so it's simple to find the right tone to suit your style. Pick wall paneling in a light wood colour to create a bright and airy environment, or try a deeper wood tone to achieve a cozy rustic look.
Add a playful touch to your kitchen with a patterned backsplash. From repeating florals to bold starburst designs, there are plenty of patterns to choose from. Pick a pattern with a range of vivid colours so that you can use those colours throughout the space. Try coordinating the cabinetry or kitchen textiles to a colour found in the pattern, like the sage green cabinets that pair well with the Moroccan-inspired tile.
Open shelving is an excellent kitchen idea to upgrade your space. Install open shelving to display all of your most-loved dinnerware or special serveware, or pair open shelves with upper cabinets to create a custom combination that works for your storage needs. Add a small pendant light above the sink to provide extra illumination while prepping dinner or washing dishes.
Capture the quaint feel of French country style with this kitchen design idea. Use floral wallpaper to incorporate a touch of countryside charm and opt for cabinets in a flat, modern finish to gently juxtapose the soft florals. Tuck in a set of woven bar stools and top the island with a pair of rustic pendant lights to illuminate the space. We love how elegant and effortless the kitchen feels in the image above.
Make the most of a small kitchen with a splash of bright colour. Vibrant colours like yellow can make a room feel larger and more inviting. Add a colourful backsplash tile for a bold addition that will make a big impact on the space. The yellow tile in the photo above dresses up the simple white cabinets and brings a sunny, mood-boosting element to the space.
Tip!
If you're a renter or simply want to try something new, peel-and-stick tile can be an easy and affordable way to switch up your kitchen. Read our guide How to Install Peel-&-Stick Tile Backsplash for step-by-step instructions.
Embrace your inner chef by creating the perfect cooking space. Protect the kitchen walls and add a focal point above the range by installing a tile backsplash. Look for a glazed tile to ensure that it's easy to wipe down if there are any splashes or splatters. Add a pot rack to keep your everyday cookware within reach. Wall-mounted or hanging pot racks are a great option for saving cabinet storage and organizing all of your pots and pans.
If you're looking for a timeless and versatile colour for your kitchen, blue is a great option. From cabinets to tiles, blue is a popular colour for its soothing quality and ability to pair well with a variety of other colours. Go for navy cabinetry for a cool-toned swath of colour, or try a pale blue backsplash tile to add a calming hue.
Warm up a neutral kitchen with shiny brass finishes. Swap out cabinet hardware for slim brass drawer pulls to create a subtle contrast. Hang a pair of brass pendant lights over the kitchen island to draw the eye up and add a cozy glow. The warm-toned metallic complements with a gray-toned wood and pale gray tile, like in the photo above.
Farmhouse sinks are one of our favorite additions to kitchen design ideas. With single- or double-basin options, these spacious sinks are both beautiful and practical. The sinks have enough space to soak large pots and pans, which makes them perfect for avid entertainers or home chefs. Go for a stainless steel sink for a sleek and easy-to-clean fixture, or choose a flat-front sink to really capture the classic farmhouse feel.
Neutral kitchens don't need to feel boring! Easy additions like a sculptural pendant light or patterned backsplash tile can make the space feel more unique. Choose a statement pendant in a fun colour or shape to create a focal point above the sink. Add a vintage-inspired tile to make a stylish backsplash. We love the starburst shapes paired with the simple slate gray cabinetry in the photo above.
Make space for recipe prep by clearing the counters and ensuring that everything has its place. To bring this bright kitchen idea to your home, choose elements that feel clean and contemporary. Look for cabinets that have modern details, such as sleek slab panel fronts or minimal hardware. Pick a pair of clean-lined bar stools to cozy up beneath the kitchen island. Opt for a wall-mounted shelving system to free up counter space and keep all of your cooking utensils organized.
Whether you have a small kitchen or simply want to brighten up the space, choosing two different cabinet colours can help make the kitchen feel larger and more open. Pick a dark or vibrant colour to use as the base units below, and select a light-coloured wall unit to be installed above. The light colour reflects light and can make the kitchen appear more spacious. Use the same cabinet hardware to create a uniform look.
Your backsplash is a great opportunity to incorporate texture. Because a backsplash doesn't need to be as sturdy as floor tile, you can choose from a variety of stylish materials and designs. Go for intricate inlays or fragile materials like glass tile to add a stunning focal point, or select a small honeycomb design with natural variations for a beautiful backdrop.
If you're in search of a moody yet neutral kitchen design, deep green cabinets add the ideal amount of coziness and depth. Soften the matte finish with shiny gold hardware or rustic wood accents. The deep emerald colour works beautifully with the gold cabinet knobs and dark wood bar stools in the photo above.
Modern kitchens are an ideal spot to play around with different shapes. Tile the backsplash with sleek geometric shapes like hexagons to add depth and movement between the lower and upper cabinets. Hang a linear pendant or set of three globe-shaped pendants above the kitchen island to anchor the space. We love how the circular shape juxtaposes the hexagon backsplash tile.
Another simple way to elevate a neutral kitchen is by adding nature-inspired elements. Incorporate plenty of wood pieces or woven accents to build layers of dimension. Opt for wood bar stools that highlight the natural grain of the wood, or install bamboo shades to bring a bit of depth to the windows. Fill open spots with houseplants or fresh herbs for some bright greenery.
