17 kitchen remodel ideas to elevate your space

Preparing to remodel your kitchen is an exciting project with many details to decide on and steps to manage. Some things to consider when designing a kitchen remodel include the layout, how you use the space, your budget and the overall style you want to create. Use this guide to discover ideas for remodeling a kitchen that help make the most of your layout, appliances, backsplash, color, lighting, decor, flooring and more.

Kitchen design ideas

A kitchen remodel can be the perfect opportunity to blend function with personal style. From bold appliance finishes and textured walls to open shelving and custom cabinetry, read on for ideas that can add character, color and clarity to the heart of the home—one intentional upgrade at a time.

1. Add a colorful kitchen backsplash

The backsplash is a natural canvas for your creative flair in any kitchen design and remodel plan. Use the backsplash areas to tie in color, pattern and even texture using tile, wood, stamped metal, wallpaper or paint.

Single color subway tile can be arranged in patterns that add subtle texture, while mosaic and patterned tile offer more drama. Use the space to coordinate with the surrounding surfaces or to create contrast.

2. Indulge in new major appliances

One of the simplest ideas for bringing a modern kitchen design to life is to upgrade your major appliances. Replacing your outdated refrigerator, dishwasher and range with sleek, energy-efficient appliances is both an aesthetic and functional change that can help transform your kitchen.

You can mix and match appliance colors to achieve nearly any aesthetic you’re after. For instance, you may consider classic stainless steel appliances if you want added flexibility to go bold with your kitchen walls, cabinets, countertop or backsplash. Or, timeless white appliances can create a bright and airy feel for looks spanning from a modern farmhouse to contemporary minimalism.

KitchenAid^® Major Appliances are available in stainless steel, black stainless steel and a variety of classic and bold colors. Select models are even designed to be personalized with KitchenAid^® Hardware Accessory Kits. Designed to coordinate with kitchen faucets and cabinet pulls, the curated palette of mixed metals complements all KitchenAid^® exterior finish options.

From the first ingredient to the final bite, KitchenAid^® Appliances can help make every part of mealtime feel seamless. For example, the Preserva^® Food Care System on select KitchenAid^® Refrigerators helps keep ingredients fresh and flavorful.

And when it’s time to cook, Multifunction Oven Modes on select KitchenAid^® Microwaves let you replace a convection or toaster oven, freeing up counter space by elevating your baking, roasting, broiling and toasting.

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3. Experiment with different tones of one color

If you aren’t sure how to make multiple colors work in your kitchen redesign, try using different saturations of the same color throughout the space. This design method allows you to create dimension, movement and contrast that’s modern and fresh. You can also stick to neutral kitchen colors if you want a more classic look.

To keep a monochromatic (or single color) design from looking flat, pick one main color, then add in touches in darker and paler shades of that main color. Consider using a variety of textures and shapes for fixtures, furniture and decor to help add depth. And, if you choose to add an accent color, make sure it’s just bold enough to stand out so it doesn’t look accidental.

4. Add a kitchen accent wall

Kitchen interior designs often include an accent wall. This design element is a versatile way to use a blank wall to add artistic flair and unique personality to your space. The wall can be covered with a single paint color in a bright, deep, cool or warm tone, or you can create a painted pattern or mural.

Other design ideas include covering the accent wall with wallpaper, tile or even wood or stamped metal. Painted in a single color, you can use the wall to create a photo and art gallery to bring even more of your personality into the space.

5. Hang kitchen greenery from the ceiling

You can also look to nature for kitchen design inspiration and fill some of the open-air space by hanging plants from the ceiling. Choose from a variety of trailing houseplants, ferns and succulents that can create an ethereal and lush space and invite a bit of the outdoors into the room.

6. Embrace dramatic kitchen lighting

You can completely transform the look and feel of any room with the right lighting, so be sure to think about what you want your lighting to accomplish when you design a kitchen remodel. Use lighting to highlight areas like the backsplash, or under and over your cabinets, sink or island. Consider task-specific lighting as well as mood lighting to add personality and drama to your space.

7. Get cozy with a kitchen nook

If you have the room for it, a cozy dining nook can make a great addition to your modern kitchen design. It’s nice to have a more casual place than the formal dining room to gather for everyday eating, working, tabletop games and even crafting. Turn an unused corner into an intimate spot that can feature a table and chairs or a cozy corner breakfast nook with an L-shaped bench.

As you modify your space, keep your kitchen’s workflow in mind. Try not to interrupt the kitchen triangle, which centralizes your cooking space by keeping your refrigerator, stove and sink all within reach and without obstructions.

8. Install quartz countertops

A beautiful and classic way to take your kitchen design and remodel to a whole new level is to replace your countertops with quartz. Available in a variety of colors, quartz is durable and ages beautifully, while adding gorgeous and artistic swirls to your countertops and island.

9. Combine textures

You can build interest and drama in your kitchen decor by combining unique textures like matte finish cabinets with high-gloss appliance finishes or metal cabinets and butcher-block countertops.

Balance variations in texture by letting one element take center stage, whether it’s a bold backsplash or statement countertops. Then, repeat complementary materials in small ways throughout the space, like using wood tones in both open shelving and bar stools.

10. Focus on kitchen flooring

Don’t treat your flooring as an afterthought when you plan your kitchen design and remodel. Flooring is an opportunity to include a unique pattern, color or texture and tie your design elements together, whether with hardwood, laminate or ceramic or stone tile.

Aside from aesthetics, you may want to think through the practical implications of your flooring choice. Consider how features like comfort, durability, moisture resistance and maintenance can impact your day-to-day cooking routines.

11. Customize appliances

There’s no need to install off-the-shelf, cookie-cutter appliances. Some brands offer customization options like interchangeable knobs or handles and bold color finishes—so your kitchen feels as personal as it is functional.

For example, select KitchenAid^® Commercial-Style Ranges come in nine curated colors, including Cardamon, Agave, Wildflower, Juniper, Scorched Orange and more to infuse your kitchen with character, depth and a designer’s touch. Or, for small alterations that make a big statement, KitchenAid^® Hardware Accessory Kits are designed to coordinate select kitchen appliances with kitchen faucets and cabinet pulls, offering a curated palette of mixed metals that complement all KitchenAid® exterior finish options.

12. Consider an open concept

An open concept kitchen can transform how you cook, entertain and connect. Talk to a contractor about removing a non-load-bearing wall, which can invite in natural light, create a more seamless flow between spaces and help open up conversations with guests as you prep. Better sightlines and layout flexibility can also make it easier to customize your space and place appliances where they work best for the way you create.

13. Build in your coffee station

If coffee jump-starts your day, a built-in coffee station can add both style and convenience to your ritual. Consider setting up a dedicated space—like a cart, countertop or table near an outlet—stocked with essentials like mugs, stir sticks and your favorite tools, from coffee to espresso machines. It’s a simple way to bring intention to your space and add ease to creating every cup.

14. Upgrade cabinets

Cabinets can account for nearly 40% of your kitchen’s visual footprint, making them one of the most influential design elements in the space. A thoughtful upgrade can transform the overall look and feel of your kitchen, often setting the tone for everything from your color palette to your appliance choices.

When planning, consider how textures, finishes and proportions will harmonize with your wall color, backsplash, and both small and large appliances. Even if you're not overhauling everything, strategic updates like swapping out hinges, knobs or drawer pulls can add polish and personality with minimal effort.

15. Embrace open shelving

Open shelving offers a minimalist and functional way to personalize your kitchen, turning everyday items into part of the decor. Whether you’re displaying a curated set of dishes, a few trailing plants or your favorite cookbooks and keepsakes, open shelves can add visual interest and warmth. They can also be a simple solution for transforming blank walls and typically require less time and effort than installing additional cabinetry.

16. Display dishware with glass cabinet doors

Whether you opt for new cabinet doors with glass inserts or refresh your existing doors with a DIY upgrade, glass-front cabinets can instantly elevate your kitchen. They can help open up dark corners by allowing light to pass through, softening the visual weight of solid cabinet rows.

In smaller kitchens where too much cabinetry can feel overwhelming, glass doors can introduce a sense of airiness and balance. They're especially well-suited to traditional, farmhouse or cottage-style kitchens, adding texture and charm while offering a welcome break from all the hard surfaces.

17. Enhance ventilation

Your kitchen needs to keep up with your cooking skills. An over-the-range microwave hood or a wall-mount canopy hood can help vent smoke, grease and lingering odors from the air, letting you fry, sauté and sear with confidence.

For island cooktops, consider a statement-making canopy hood or a sleek, retractable downdraft model like these range hoods from KitchenAid brand. If your setup includes cabinetry above the range or a range against the wall, an under-cabinet or wall-mount range hood can offer powerful performance and add to your overall aesthetic.

Make a bold statement in your kitchen with a KitchenAid^® commercial-style range in a color that embodies your personality and emboldens your next culinary pursuit. These powerful, professional-grade ranges are available in standout hues like Cardamon, Wildflower, Agave and Scorched Orange—each one designed to add energy and character to your space.

For a cohesive, modern look, explore the black stainless steel appliance suite by KitchenAid brand and create a design-forward kitchen that’s as functional as it is striking.

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Kitchen remodel FAQs

Kitchen remodeling can feel like a major undertaking, but the more you know, the more confident you’ll feel throughout the process. Read on for answers to some common questions about kitchen remodels.

The ultimate factor in deciding your kitchen layout is determining how to make the space as functional and easy to work in as possible. You will want to choose the placement of kitchen appliances carefully, depending on the size of your kitchen.

If you’re designing your kitchen from the ground up and can choose your layout, there are a few things you may want to think about. In small kitchens, consider using a galley layout, and put your vertical space to work for storage. Larger kitchens can comfortably use L- or U-shaped layouts and you can add an island for more work, storage and gathering space.

Whether your personal style is exemplified by the slick, clean lines and monotone colors of a modern and minimalist style, or by the vintage colors, fixtures and antique furniture that a farmhouse style is known for, your decor choices combine to create a specific mood in your kitchen.

If you have an open kitchen, you may want some continuity in the decor so it flows smoothly with the rest of the surrounding space, and there are countless styles to choose from that can reflect your personality. Your choices of paint, flooring, countertops, tile, light fixtures, faceplates, cabinets, shelves and art all work together to create the feeling and style you want your kitchen to evoke.

There are a variety of ways to add storage when you remodel so your kitchen is organized and feels more spacious. Some of them include:

Use empty walls to add open or floating shelves, suspend hanging racks from the ceiling, install rolling pantries in vertical spaces, or under-sink cabinets to help maximize storage capacity.

Add shelves and drawers inside cabinets to use more empty space or mount dowels and hooks to hang items from the underside of upper cabinets.

Create storage that serves multiple functions by adding a dining nook storage bench to your design.

Your kitchen remodel is a chance to be inspired by the endless variety of design elements, fixtures, appliances and storage solutions that are available. Simply keep in mind how you most want the space to function and let yourself have fun bringing your perfect kitchen to life. Learn more kitchen remodeling tips to make your space your own.

KitchenAid^® Appliances combine power and versatility with bold styles to help you cook with confidence and creativity. Some KitchenAid^® Ranges satisfy the needs of the most demanding cooks by combining the responsive control of a gas cooking surface with the dry heat and consistent temperatures of an electric oven.

When it’s time to reset the kitchen for your next culinary adventure, select KitchenAid^® Dishwashers make it easier with the Triple Filtration System that uses three levels of filtration to remove food particles during the wash and rinse cycles, ensuring clean water circulation through the wash arms, even with dirty cookware in the load.