This list of kitchen remodel ideas offers inspiration for those looking to upgrade their kitchen on a budget. DIY kitchen cabinet ideas range from adding storage and fixtures to painting and refinishing. Homeowners have shared their experiences with sprucing up their cabinets, and there are 20 brilliant and trendy ideas to choose from.
One of the most popular DIY kitchen island ideas is to create a dazzling space by painting cabinets, decluttering countertops, updating lighting, upgrading faucets, peeling and sticking backsplashes, and changing cabinet hardware. These DIY projects can be done on a budget and can be tackled on a personal level.
Another DIY kitchen project is to create texture by adding a backsplash, adding shelving and knickknacks, changing hardware, and painting cabinets. RoomSketcher is an online floor plan and home design tool that can help create a kitchen design. It allows users to make floor plans, visualize different cabinet options, choose their kitchen’s color palette, draw and perfect their floor plan, specify appliances, and auto-design their 3D kitchen.
In summary, these DIY kitchen remodel ideas offer a variety of options to enhance your kitchen space while staying within your budget.
📹 10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR KITCHEN LOOK EXPENSIVE | DESIGN HACKS
10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR KITCHEN LOOK EXPENSIVE | DESIGN HACKS Interior Designer: Kristen McGowan Do you want your …
Is there an app where I can take a picture of my house and remodel?
Remodel AI is a digital tool that enables users to conceptualize and visualize their home remodeling project in a multitude of styles, including interior design and architectural elements. By taking photographs of their residence, users can immediately observe a comprehensive remodeled version, new flooring, and alternative wall configurations.
What is the best layout for a kitchen?
An L-shaped kitchen layout is a popular choice due to its maximized cabinetry storage and the introduction of the kitchen triangle. Designer Daniella Villamil loves this layout for its functionality, clean working circle, and versatility in design choices. It can be customized to suit individual needs and preferences, whether it’s a small kitchen or a large open-plan space. The L-shaped design allows for easy movement around the kitchen, making it an ideal choice for any kitchen.
Is there a free app that you can take a picture of a room and design it?
“Roomstyler 3D Room Planner” is a free room design application that allows users to create virtual rooms in just minutes. It allows users to draw their own designs or drag and drop pre-created walls into the design. The app offers an abundance of furniture and accessories to plan furniture arrangement and size needs. It also allows users to plan for home gyms, holidays, and gardens. The app is easy to use and can save designers from making irreversible furniture purchasing mistakes. It is a valuable tool for anyone looking to add a personal touch to their home decor.
What is the kitchen triangle rule?
The kitchen triangle rule is of significant importance in the context of kitchen design and layout. The triangle rule stipulates that the sum of the three sides must not exceed 26 feet, with each leg measuring between 4 and 9 feet. Furthermore, no side is permitted to cut through a kitchen island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.
Is there an app that lets me design my kitchen?
RoomSketcher is a user-friendly software designed for the creation of 3D kitchen designs. It enables users to develop a visual representation of their ideal kitchen layout. The software features a set of drag-and-drop tools for the manipulation of walls, windows, and doors, as well as the ability to rapidly construct an accurate floor plan. Additionally, the application enables users to select furnishings, modify their dimensions, experiment with surface treatments, and archive their preferred designs.
What is the golden rule for kitchen design?
The work triangle in a kitchen design connects the cooktop, sink, and refrigerator, ensuring efficient movement between tasks like cooking, cleaning, and food preparation. The distance between these zones should range from 4 to 9 feet. The kitchen layout should also include provisions for power outlets and electrical appliances like the dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, stove, chimney, and RO water filter. Ensure that the doors of the refrigerator or dishwasher do not hinder movement within the kitchen.
Can I take a picture of my kitchen and redesign it?
The flooring and countertop visualizers allow users to upload a photo of their room to view a virtual representation of products in their space. Other apps allow users to mix and match cabinet colors, backsplashes, countertops, and flooring. MSI offers an extensive library of materials, and Kitchen and Bath Center is a major distributor. Magicplan is an app that allows users to create 2D and 3D floorplans of their current space without drawing or measuring.
The app uses augmented reality pointers to mark corners and doors, and automatically computes the room’s shape and dimensions. Users can manually modify the room’s shape and dimensions, insert objects, and view the plan in 3D.
What is the golden rule of the kitchen?
Kitchen hygiene is crucial for maintaining cleanliness and prevents the spread of bacteria. Regular handwashing is essential for both adults and children, and it’s crucial to teach the entire family how to properly wash their hands. Other hand hygiene tips include avoiding wearing rings, keeping nails short, and not wearing nail polish. If a cut is made, clean it immediately and apply a plaster. Additionally, it’s important to tie back long hair when making dishes, as it can carry germs. Professionals often wear hats and hairnets to protect themselves from germs. Overall, proper kitchen hygiene is essential for maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment.
What is the 60 30 10 rule kitchen?
The featured image features 60 white surfaces, 30 black surfaces, and 10 silver surfaces, creating a visually balanced kitchen. Understanding the 60/30/10 color rule can help you work with a kitchen designer and create a room that feels good from the start. This rule helps you understand why a room doesn’t come together and how to design a room that will feel good from the start. Check out projects on Houzz for more ideas.
📹 How To Maximize Your Small Kitchen | Design Ideas
Tiny kitchen? No problem! I’ve got you covered! In this video we are talking all about big ideas for small kitchens! Let’s leave …
So happy to see your adorable little appliance Albert. That is the cute little appliance I want! You nailed it when you said the biggest advantage to a tiny kitchen is you can afford to go very high end at a fraction of the cost of a regular size kitchen. I have done that in a previous home and it was a big reason why my home sold so quickly and way above asking price. I think the reason why appliance manufacturers don’t combine oven and microwave together is because microwave don’t seem to last as long. Of course no appliance lasts long these days 🤨
Albert is such a doll! Loved this article, Garrett! We don’t have a tiny kitchen but not a giant one either (10×10). I absolutely love that you mentioned aging in place several times. That’s really an important consideration. We skipped upper cabinets for just that reason. And the savings allowed us to have custom cabinets that are solid cherry made to fit the space. All of the cabinets are either drawers or cabinets with pull out shelves. And because the kitchen isn’t enormous, we were able to splurge and get a gorgeous granite for the countertops. We saved some space by putting in a counter depth refrigerator and then there is an extra freezer in the laundry room/pantry. One thing that worked well for us, was we put in a diagonal shelf in one corner. We have a microwave on the counter and the toaster oven sitting directly above it on that corner shelf. Corner spaces are not particularly usable anyway, so we were able to get both appliances placed in a way that did not take up a lot of our counterspace.
Oh U touched my heart on this article. I have SO MANY tricks I used when designing my Galley kitchen (love the most hated galley style.lol). Here r just two of them (I can bore if I listed them all, lol)…1. I put in TWO pull out bread/cutting boards across from each other. When pulled out it creates a bridge or a mini kitchen island that allows 4 feet more counter space. 2. I didn’t use standard cabinet depths. I increased the top cabinet to 15″ and the bottom around 26″. This allows dinner plates to sit vertical on a plate rack and close the door to keep plates clean. This gives additional storage and nobody notices the increase in size. Oh oh, on the pull out drawers u mentioned. FULL extension heavy duty tracks r so worth the extra expense. Things get caught behind drawers and full extend prevents that. ❤️ Albert!
I loved your ideas on a small kitchen. My kitchen is small. I was able to get higher quality cabinets, countertops and backsplash. I put in a greenhouse window that makes the kitchen seem bigger. The kitchen door was replaced with one with a glass insert that has an etched pattern in the glass and lets in more light. I love seeing Albert. He’s so cute. Great article.
This isn’t a design thing, but if you’re cooking in a small kitchen, it really helps if you clean as you go while you’re cooking—put supplies and ingredients away as soon as you’re done with them, wash any dirty dishes (or put them in the dishwasher, or at least let them soak), wipe down surfaces, etc. Even small messes (a sticky spot, for example) take up space, so until you tend to them, you have that much less room in which to work. And obviously, if you’ve gone to all that trouble to create a beautiful kitchen, you want to see it at its best while you’re using it—which is not with a pile of dirty dishes.
Oh my goodness Garrett. If I were able to share a photo on here I would share a photo of my kitchen I live in 117 year old house. And let me tell you… I use every inch of wall space for cabinetry. After all, you need lots of cabinets for all of those sets of China! In the new house that we’re building to appear to be historic Douglas is going to apply a library ladder rail that can be used when trying to access those taller cabinets. I keep forgetting that I’m getting older and older and older, and I won’t be able to climb the ladder!
Seeing this article warmed my heart for little Albert. Such a sweet little soul ❤. I also wanted to put my 2 cents in about my small kitchen. I sold the bar stools i never really liked and used the money to collect and thrift different carts and shelves that fit under the counter. Now i can display my vintage pyrex and have more storage!
Favorite article ever! Finally, someone who understands that just because you downsize, it doesn’t mean giving up nice things. Hope this boomer gets to age in place for sure. Still having a little trouble adjusting to 15 x 15 LR, but it’s getting there. Definitely doing the doggie bowl slide out in the kitchen! Give Albert some sugar for me. 😘
You nailed it again, Garrett. We have so many of these ideas incorporated into our upcoming galley kitchen reno. Small appliances – an 18″ dishwasher, fine for 2 people. found a GE double wall oven that is the size of one regular oven, but is a small oven above with slightly larger on the bottom. Top is great for reheating, and replaces the toaster oven on the counter. Style question – several of the photos had black & white diamond floors. Good for a galley kitchen? Please keep the kitchen articles coming. xxoo to Albert.
This was an AWESOME article, and not just for the appearance of Albert. Although ❤️❤️❤️ for Albert. Love, love, love all of these ideas! And also that you talked about aging in place because I never want to have to move again. I am a big fan of using cabinet organizers and the vertical spaces. But my favourite and most devious trick was to get a really good kitchen cart with a cutting board top, which I wheel into the kitchen doorway when I am cooking for company. The cart not only extends my work space, it keeps people OUT of my itty-bitty, genuinely “one person” kitchen without me getting impatient and maybe seeming rude about it, but still lets them visit and chat while I prepare their meal. And if they want to help, they can help from the other side. People always want to “hang out” with you while you cook! But nothing else makes a small kitchen feel smaller like having to dance around another person who doesn’t know the same dance, lol. (Edited because I meant to say THANK YOU for this article but I got ahead of myself, lol!)
When you were talking about above the cupboards, I thought breadbox style containers would be good up there… you know the ones with the rounded drawers that slide into themselves? If they all matched you could set the up there and easily get into them without having to take the boxes down, but also “hide” everything away.
I love this article! (as usual) We have a small kitchen and have all drawers except one lazy susan corner cabinet. I love it. Our kitchen is very efficient for the size and I love the look. I have my Kitchen Aid mixer in the corner on the counter so it really is out of the way. I also had a section of the countertop at desk level so I can sit when doing a lot of prep. Have you shown us your kitchen or is it a place to be re-done? So happy to see Albert. He’s so cute!!
On my joke of a white teensy mcm kitchen (rental): 1. Changed cabinet knobs! 2. Changed faucet/got dishwasher on a dolly cart (countertop model) stored in pantry closet. 3. Bars w/ s-hooks over door 4. Plate rack in pantry 5. Appliances on 3 tiered cart in pantry. 6. White microwave over range. 7. Mail holder by back entry. 8. Blind corner pull out racks from aldi. 9. Knife strips for knives & magnetic spice tins in cabinets. 10. fridge pantry cart between fridge & counter. 11. Puck lights from a dollar store under cabinets. 12. ART!! 13. Mamie pink works with tile. Stick to limited color scheme or monochromatic. 14. Nook made out of storage benches with toss pillows, tables, 2 chairs. I would love a cabinet with a frame for art as the door. Changeable. Like warhol coke bottles!
I had my 6 X12 ft. Condo kitchen finished back in November. I went in with a clear list of what i needed (more shelves, more drawers, spice rack, etc) and another list of what i wanted (glass backsplash, colors, finishes, material, black countertop, high gloss cabinets etc). This really helped me and my designer with my options. My needs list was the stuff that was a priority and based on my lifestyle, the wants list were things i was willing to compromise on, or work around or swap based on availability or price. My focus and money would be on my cabinets because that was the biggest need and visual statement. Thanks to my small kitchen, I was able to get everything I needed and wanted, and i was able to splurge on several things. I love 💜 my new, modern kitchen! I suggest you make priority lists, have a good idea of what you like and your lifestyle and be flexible. And have FUN 😊
As far as microwave ugliness goes they now LOW PROFILE above the range microwaves that are super deep but not a ton of height, which works because most of the things going into the microwave aren’t super tall, but you do need enough room to put a plate in there. Alson they aren’t as bulky as the typical above the range microwaves, and they usually don’t have one of those cheap handles on them that constantly brake! instead they have buttons or recessed little cubbies where your fingers can fit to pull out the door. I love how sleek these are and how they draw a lot less attention to themselves!
What a great article, Garrett and Albert!!! You had SO many great ideas and practical tips to maximize kitchen space! Thank you for all the design tips for aging in place. Fully accessible spaces can be beautiful as well as functional. All my lower cabinets are drawers, and I’ll never go back!!! Thank you for these great and creative LeChic approved ideas, Garrett! Colleen ☘🤗☘
Adding a pull-down shelf like Rev-a Shelf to higher shelves increases the frequency and likelihood that those items will be used regularly. Since I am petite, only one shelf in my uppers is actually easy to access. Pull down shelves and counter pantries are my next additions to my smaller kitchen. It’s all about ease of use for me!
He’s singing my song. I have a small kitchen and I am doing custom cabinetry from Plain English. We have designed it with lots of drawers. Plans are done and we are now just tweaking things. Doing a Lacanche stove, sub zero under the counter, and putting another fridge in the garage. etc. Tearing down a knee wall and rebuilding it to cabinet height. Also bringing cabinets down to sit on counter on one side. In the end every single thing he said we have thought of. Thanks for the affirmation that everything I had requested and thought of beforehand he just confirmed I was right. This is a patience project because everything takes time.
Toe kick drawer? I’ve never heard of that and it does seem a little strange… Basically on the floor. I don’t know how I feel about that. Would dust bunnies get all trapped in there? I Hate rummaging around in black hole lower cabinets! I have some but had some full extension drawers installed in them and they work really well also… Next best thing.
I discovered you a month ago, at the same time I discovered a 437 sq ft condo. It has views to die for, and perfect for one person. The kitchen has the brown speckled granite countertops and yes they are going to stay.. I saw your comments about that speckled brown granite in another article. The kitchen is small and has a raised counter for bar seating. The granite does not scream out at you. and is in great condition. But the kitchen is still small but good flow, and this was a timely article for me. There is space to use some of your ideas to maximize space. Much appreciated and I binge watch all your articles.
Garrett you are a genius. My Florida home (soon to be our only and permanent home) is tiny. I’ll be renovating this 1950s kitchen in the fall. I could break through a wall and enlarge the kitchen but as my husband is retiring next month and we plan on aging in place I don’t think it is worth spending that money. The small kitchen is just fine for two people and as you pointed out we can afford to go high end in such a small space. I love your ideas in this article, all of them, and will use them as a guide. I especially love the idea of converting under cabinets into drawers. Getting a little hard to bend down low 😁. There was a fairly large and long but shallow cabinet in a side wall of the kitchen that housed a pull down ironing board (!). My husband took the board and its mechanisms out and converted into a really useful spice cabinet. As you pointed out there is so much you can do with a small kitchen by utilizing careful planning. I love Albert and enjoy seeing him. Please give him a kiss for me. My mother always said not to trust any man who doesn’t love animals. You are the most trustworthy of men.❤
I put two “cubbies” into the end of my island and installed electric outlets on the inside wall of each cubby. I keep my instant pot and mixer inside the cubby. When I need the appliance, I pull it out of the cubby, set on top of the island, and start working without having to put the applicance on the countertop to plug in.
We are adding a kitchen in the basement for an ADU. We will have one large toe-kick drawer. We’re going with a microwave with exhaust fan.We’ll have an 18″ dishwasher, 30 inch counter depth fridge, a 30 inch wall oven. The most controversial choice is we are not having a cooktop so that we have more counter space; instead we will have a portable induction hob, which we’ll store in the toe-kick drawer when not in use.
Very interesting. The increase in drawers is something I’ll have to give thought too. We are going to be remodeling our kitchen at some point which I’m really excited about but we want to make sense of it as best we can. I’m grateful it’s not the world’s smallest kitchen- 10×10 w/ some extra space to play with where there is a current pantry. Definitely have seen smaller and helped a friend w/ a tiny kitchen reorganize her space to give her counter space. Counter space makes my brain very happy. Our kitchen still feels rather small though sometimes when I’m trying to cook for a lot of people which I’m the old fashion type with a passion for cooking from scratch and setting out the good dishes at holidays. I moved back in with my Dad after my Grandparents passed – I was their full time caregiver so that became my home and my grandmother’s kitchen my learning ground for cooking and figuring out what I really loved to work with appliance and utensil wise. I loved the setup of it and their home in general. When I moved back our kitchen felt smaller, crowded and drove me nuts. I figured out new places for large appliances that used to live on counter tops and freed up my mind a lot and made the space more usable. Our microwave lives in our newly added mudroom though I don’t use the thing personally anyway for anything other than storage. Give me my small convection oven, regular oven, stovetop and instant pot cooking wise and I’m happy. The microwave is around because my Dad likes to use it now and again.
I have a six foot wide galley kitchen with a wall oven. I used a narrow end cabinet, added a two cutting boards to the top for my “island”. I do all my prep on this space. My microwave is stashed in the cabinet under the wall oven, the toaster is on a tray in the cabinet above. I have loosing counter space to ugly appliances. This is the most efficient kitchen I have ever had, love it. I would definitely do all drawers for lowers should I ever remodel.
Garrett, I love your website. I’ve been a subscriber for about six months now and decided it was time to say “Hi.” As much as I love your content, what I really love is you. I love your personality. You make me smile every time I watch one of your shows. I would love to be your friend but, alas, I live in Montana. In regard to small kitchen ideas, I have two large drawers next to the stove that are used to store pots and pans. Inside the top drawer, which is 10.5″ deep, is a slide-out drawer which is 3.5″ deep. This is so convenient. It doubles the space of that drawer. Give your babies a kiss for me.
My kitchen is itsybitsy galley style. Best thing i ever did was declutter all i did not use or love. Not every appliance needs to be stored permanently in the kitchen, either. I rotate them as seasons and my interests change. Will be a while til i can remodel, but saving this vid for that time. I’ve high ceilings, so maybe some extra storage space, and love the idea of microwave cubby/under bench. I don’t use it often enough to justify the counter space it takes.
11:36 – I have this type of range and I LOVE it!! It’s in our smaller kitchen, and we have no extra space for a microwave, so it is incredible. There is a microwave drawer on the top and a smaller oven on the bottom. It was purchased 2007 and has since been discontinued. Crossing my fingers that it lasts forever! 🤞🏼(Sharp brand)
Here I was thinking my kitchen was micro-camper tiny, and then I see the photos in your article. That first one is like a galley kitchen, but extremely chic, and I wouldn’t hate it. We don’t have a lot of counter space, so functionality was my first priority when I upgraded mine. I got rid of the stuff that was gathering dust in the back of the cabinets, and found a permanent place for everything else using free-standing cabinets. It was a good time to get rid of nasty old plastic containers (kept the 70s Tupperware, though) and utensils. I switched to glass, ceramic, and wood- no regrets! I would love to replace my fridge with a slimmer apartment sized one, but that is not happening until the one I have dies. I love small appliances. I wish I could have a SMEGged-out kitchen with all the appliances in pale sage! I also want a French door oven. I heard that it’s good to want things. I don’t want to get rid of my dagger-length toenails, so I won’t be doing the toe kick drawer. Also, I am old and creaky, and I may not be able to stand back up after reaching down there. Albert is always a joy!
When someone is going to be building a house should they hire the designer first then architect then contractor? What’s the normal order of things? At first I thought architect first then designer but now I’m not sure…. I feel like it would be easier for those two to work together to help design the inside and outside of the house.*
I am only 5 feet tall and have glass-front cabinets that go up to my 10 ft+ ceiling. As you suggest, I store extra staples and rarely used items up there I don’t use often. I only wish that when I designed it I had left space for a ladder rail. As it is, I store my ladder in the small pantry off the kitchen.
Hello 👋 you know I love your kitchen articles they are my favorites, and OMG yes, yes I’m all in for the microwave/oven concept. I just converted a 11 x 9 room thats an eyeshot from my kitchen into a pantry and I’m totally loving it. I put all of my appliances and extra pots and pans in there it’s the best decision I made. Albert is so cute 🥰 thanks for sharing him with us.
First of all I just love your website you give me some great ideas I just moved and am trying to get my house together saying that I have a huge kitchen with tons of cabinet space two islands a chef’s stove but here’s my problem on the other side of the kitchen is a huge blank wall could you please help me find something to put on this wall what would you do
Hi Garret! I’m so sorry!! I have been perusal your articles for months and I didn’t realize I hadn’t subscribed! Yours always come up on my Home feed every day because I watch you so much so I assumed I was. Anyway I am subscribe now and I check the bell as well to see when you download. You are a very engaging person and I feel like you are speaking to us not at us. Keep the articles coming! Cheers! 🥂
I have the smallest kitchen – so it is next on the renovation list! I own a townhome with huge bedrooms but small communal spaces. Also, I am not able to expand it into an open concept because of a load baring wall. Very frustrating. The next place I get, the kitchen will definitely be more of a priority. I’m working on saving the money to have the cabinets done with some added space saving hardware, but I just put in new flooring, so I have to be patient. As always, I love all of your ideas, and I just wish I had the expendable cash to have it all done right now. Your suggestions always have affordable options, but even affordable usually costs a couple of thousand for a professional. Of course, I have access to all of your articles for when I finally get the nerve to rob a bank. 😇
Think your drawer superiority over cupboard is true. Also in a very small kitchen 15″ deep upper cabinets would help with storage rather than the standard 12″ deep. I custom a wider than 24″ counter top would be nice to accommodate the deeper upper cabinets. The toe kick cabinets would beat putting cookie sheets in another room.
I’ve never seen those “floor drawers”, interesting concept to utilize space but I wouldn’t use them either. Winning “LeChic” idea about the microwave in the oven! I once rented an apartment with a kitchen so tiny that when the oven or refrigerator doors were open, I couldn’t get through 😂 got a lot of ideas for storage from Japanese kitchens. Oh Albert the only thing you are missing is angel wings ❤ thank you for these articles Garrett 👏 👏 👏
The suggestion about more drawers made me kind of sad since my apartment kitchen only has space for one drawer. It’s not the end of the world though, I have a great cutlery divider that allows for space for other gadgets so long as I’m mindful about it all. A big game changer was getting a small step stool and bins, that way I can take advantage of the ceiling level cabinets.
awww you are so smart….i wish you can come redesign my small galley kitchen i know what i want and its exactly right i want pull out drawers to store pots/pans instead of cabinets everything gets lost in cabinets and i want to have microwave/wall oven and just do away with the stove/oven and just have a stove top…the make drawers under the stovetop for the pots/pans
Spice racks for the counter. I bought some that are flat back spice racks in black and they can stand on the counter or hung on the wall. They take up less space on the counter since they back right up against the backsplash. I also got some that are magnetic and go on the side of the fridge and the side of my Breville counter cook top. These are in my houseboat kitchen, but may use some new ones in the condo kitchen.