Installation of kitchen. Custom kitchen cabinets in various stages of installation base for island in center

Do you feel like your kitchen has been looking a little drab lately? Are you considering putting your home on the market and want to take advantage of the increase in value that a new kitchen can offer?

Or, do you just feel like your kitchen no longer meets your needs or reflects your desired design?

If so, then it’s definitely time for an upgrade.

Read on to learn about some of the most popular remodeling ideas for kitchens that won’t break the bank or takes months to complete.

Get your kitchen ready for its closeup with these amazing tips and trends.

1. Add Color with a Tiled Backsplash

You don’t want to add an accent wall or wallpaper your kitchen, but you still feel like it could benefit from a pop of color.

So, what’s the solution?

Focus on adding tiling to your backsplash. There are tons of different design options here.

For a luxurious, Mediterranean look, go for hand-painted or mosaic tiles. If you have a more minimalist aesthetic, try subway tiling or simply white and black tiles.

When you add a tiled backsplash to the area behind your kitchen sink, your cleanup process will get a whole lot easier. You no longer have to scrub the walls to remove gunk. Instead, try these natural cleaning solutions for your tiles instead.

2. Include an Island

Especially if you now have a bigger family than you did when you first moved in, you’re in need of more seating and food prep area options.

Instead of picking up a cheap movable butcher block, try one of our favorite kitchen remodeling ideas: adding a stationary island.

First, cabinets underneath the island give you tons more space to store bulkier items and even hide smaller appliances like toasters and microwaves. Additionally, you can install chic barstools for a high-top dining table that won’t take up much valuable kitchen space.

Plus, by painting the island cabinets a different color or choosing a different countertop, you can make your island the central focus point of your kitchen.

3. Try Open Shelving

Don’t want to deal with the hassle and expense of complex kitchen cabinet remodel ideas?

Get rid of them altogether, and embrace one of the hottest remodeling ideas for kitchens — open shelving.

First, open shelving gives you the chance to show off your gorgeous dishes and glassware. It also makes it much easier for you to know exactly where everything in your kitchen is.

Try color-coordinating your dishes or even painting the walls behind the open shelving units to add splashes of color.

4. Build a Bay Window

Sure, adding under-the-counter lighting will help to brighten up your kitchen and make the food prep process easier.

But consider adding more light to your entire kitchen, not just one part of it, by installing a large bay window as part of your kitchen remodel. Not only will more natural light lower your energy bills, but it will also give you great mental health benefits.

Plus, it’ll give you more seating and storage options since you’ll be able to install a window seat underneath it.

Building French doors is another incredible option to let more light in. It also gives your family easy access to the patio when you want to eat outside on a lovely summer night.

5. Rethink Your Countertops

Of course, no list of popular kitchen remodel ideas would be complete without mentioninh the best ways to upgrade your countertops.

Here, it really depends on how often you use your kitchen, how much time you’re willing to spend cleaning it, and how much you’re willing to spend.

If durability, heat-resistance, and having lots of color options are important for you, go for granite. If you want a more rustic and antique look that will intentionally show wear over time, try soapstone.

To increase your home’s value with waterproof and heatproof countertops, go for marble. Quartz countertops are easy to install on your own, are low-maintenance, and are stain-resistant.

If you’re on a bit of a budget and are willing to do a bit more maintenance, try solid surface material countertops.

6. Switch up Your Flooring

Most people are so focused on more traditional remodeling ideas for kitchens (like upgrading appliances or painting cabinets) that they completely forget about flooring.

Not only can the right flooring transform the entire look of your kitchen, but it can also add some serious value to your home.

We love the idea of a heated kitchen floor, especially if you live in a chilly area and want your morning coffee ritual to be more pleasant.

If you like the look of wood but hate the cost and maintenance, go for glazed ceramic tile. If you want durability, try stone, concrete, vinyl, or even tile.

Which of These Remodeling Ideas for Kitchens Will You Try?

We hope this list of popular remodeling ideas for kitchens has left you feeling inspired to upgrade one of the most important rooms in your home.

And remember that sometimes it’s just not safe — or even cost-effective — to go the DIY route for a kitchen remodel. Instead, hire the right designers and contractors to make your vision a reality.

Check out the rest of our blog to find out what separates a good contractor from a bad one. Or, if you’re confident in your DIY skills, enroll in our online home remodeling boot camp to learn how to upgrade every room in your home.

-This is a guest post not written by the site’s owner.