Decorating above kitchen cabinets is still fashionable and can add a unique and personal touch. Here are 15 stand-out above-the-kitchen-cabinet decor ideas that will instantly elevate your space. Displaying cutting boards on the wall doesn’t mean adding literal decor on top of the cabinet. Instead, focus on the wall itself with a simple sign to draw the eye upward and allow space for storage. There are many different ways to decorate above kitchen cabinets, from pretty that ties into the rest of the room to practical storage options that save drawer space.
Balance is key when decorating above cabinets, and mirror colors, textures, and shapes to create a cohesive design. Avoid placing items on top of cabinets, as the oily dust that collects there is bad and needs to be cleaned frequently.
There are many beautiful ways to decorate above kitchen cabinets, but one big no-no is removing it for house selling purposes. Instead, style the empty space above the cabinets for extra storage and aesthetics. As a general rule, don’t decorate the space above kitchen cabinetry, very tall armoires, or built-ins. Avoid greenery or anything else above the cabinets, as the space is not something that needs to be filled. Instead, use plants, decor objects, or other items to add flair to your space.
📹 Creative Decorating Ideas for Empty Spaces Above Kitchen Cabinets
Take a look at 15 creative ways to make the boring empty spaces above your kitchen cabinets becomes more interesting and …
Is greenery on top of cabinets outdated?
The incorporation of greenery above kitchen cabinets has been demonstrated to have a calming effect. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, including the installation of ceiling and hanging plant shelves, indoor mini-greenhouses, wall plant pots, and living walls. The specific approach should be selected based on the available space and the plants’ natural light requirements.
Do modern kitchen cabinets go to the ceiling?
In the past, upper cabinets were typically 32″ or 36″ tall, leaving a gap between them and the ceiling. Nowadays, many people prefer cabinets that reach the ceiling for a cleaner, more streamlined look, increased storage capacity, and eliminated “dead space”. However, there are times when regular-height cabinets may be best for your Tallahassee kitchen.
To determine the best ceiling height cabinets, consider your ceiling height. For an 8-foot ceiling, you can use 39″ or 42″ upper cabinets, depending on the height of the crown molding at the top of the cabinet. For 9-foot ceilings, single wall cabinets are not suitable due to the risk of cabinet door warping over time. Instead, use stacked cabinets, with one cabinet stacked on top of another and each having its own door. The top cabinet is usually smaller and often has glass door panels for a decorative touch.
Should you put decor above kitchen cabinets?
Enhance your kitchen design by decorating above cabinets, windows, and sinks to showcase collections, add storage, and add fresh appeal. Add architectural structures to cabinets to create beautiful forms with fine-tuned functions. A mantel-like niche with beaded board unites cabinets and appliances while providing a perch for baskets and dishes. A stair-stepped cabinetry configuration extends the display capacity of a window sink wall, featuring open cubbies and crown-molding trim. Decorate above cabinets and in cubbies to showcase dishware and oversized baskets, warm the primarily white kitchen.
What is the thing above kitchen cabinets called?
Soffits are horizontal structures along the top of kitchen cabinets that can be both visually appealing and essential for kitchen design. They extend down from the ceiling to cover the space above the upper cabinets and can be made of drywall or wood. They are usually the same depth as the cabinets they are covering. GVD Renovations understands the challenges of dealing with kitchen soffits and provides a guide to help homeowners understand their purpose, potential solutions, and potential solutions.
Is green too trendy for kitchen cabinets?
Green is a versatile color that can be easily matched with existing finishes and fixtures, creating a trend forward and classic look. A kitchen designed by Tom Scheerer on New York’s Upper East Side showcases the versatility of green in a kitchen. The kitchen features a custom island painted in bright pea green, which is complemented by John Derian decoupaged trays on the wall and botanical wallpaper above the cabinets.
Gary McBournie’s alcove bar in Beverly Hills showcases exuberant green hues, with Benjamin Moore’s Shades of Spring coating the upper and lower cabinets and Peter Fasano covering the rest of the nook.
A deep green island and matching cabinets in Behr’s Russian Olive set the scene in romantic eat-in kitchens south of 14th Street. Homeowner and designer Augusta Hoffman admits to loving green as a neutral color, urging color-shy homeowners to embrace this versatile color scheme.
Do people still put things on top of cabinets?
The space above kitchen cabinets can serve as a storage area for seasonal items or less-used kitchen equipment, as well as a display of collections and antiques. Creative ways to use this extra space for functional purposes and aesthetics include displaying cherished items like serving pieces, serving platters, and stemware. This creates a focal point in the kitchen, adds color and depth, and allows easy access to exquisite dinnerware for entertaining guests. To create a cohesive design statement, keep similar objects together.
Should you leave space above kitchen cabinets?
It is recommended that storage space be conserved when it is not required and that the space be left empty to reduce clutter. This will result in a perception of greater airiness, which is particularly beneficial in smaller kitchens. It is advisable to refrain from utilising JavaScript or cookies in the event that the browser in question does not support these functions.
Are upper cabinets out of style?
Kitchen cabinets are no longer essential for storage, as the space between the countertop and ceiling can be repurposed for wall decor. This trend allows for a more attractive feature, filling the space with attractive features rather than just storing items. Wall decor ideas can give a space a new personality, and some popular designs have ditched wall cabinets altogether. This trend is expected to catch on, as it allows for a more visually appealing and functional kitchen. In conclusion, wall cabinets are not necessary in a kitchen, and wall decor can give a new personality to the space.
What is the next trend for kitchen cabinets?
Glass-fronted cabinetry and open shelving are gaining popularity in kitchen design due to their ability to display beautiful kitchenware and create an airy feel. Open shelving encourages a thoughtful approach to kitchen storage, while kitchen islands remain popular if space allows, as they provide extra surface area for multifunctional home use, such as cooking, dining, and streaming content on a laptop or tablet.
Should I remove upper cabinets?
The kitchen makeover involved removing cabinets to create more space and light. The cupboards made the space feel cramped and blocked light, so removing them helped it bounce around. The worktops were extended into a tall backsplash and a shallow ledge shelf was added, offering styling opportunities. The shelves can be changed regularly, sometimes multiple times in one day. If you’re considering removing kitchen cabinets, check out the post with 15 creative ideas for decorating the space above your cabinets. Additionally, check out the post on how to revamp your kitchen cabinets in 1-hour.
What kitchen cabinet never goes out of style?
Neutral paint colors are a popular trend in kitchen design, with 43% of renovating homeowners opting for white cabinets. Soft shades of green or blue are also considered “new neutrals” for a timeless look. Shaker cabinets, popular in farmhouse kitchens, offer a clean classic look with their simple design and recessed-panel doors. Natural materials like wood and stone ground the space and keep it classic.
White or light countertops can be elegant with natural stone, quartz, or porcelain, bringing subtle color without overpowering the simplicity of the white surface. Subway tile, with its long history, works with various decor styles and provides an elegant backsplash.
To plan a kitchen remodel, visit showrooms in Haverhill, MA or West Bridgewater, MA, and browse their gallery to imagine your new kitchen. The company offers the largest inventory of natural stones, including granite, marble, and quartzite, as well as their own quartz collection, The BGE Quartz Collection. Visit one of their showrooms to convert your ideas into reality and create a new, exciting kitchen.
📹 Top 10 Things Making Your Kitchen Look CHEAP And How To Fix Them
Does your kitchen look cheap? These ideas will help you to upgrade your kitchen and make it look and feel luxurious without the …
Yes to base cabinets with drawers and pull-outs. For 40 years I lived with a huge kitchen full of nearly new, high-quality base cabinets with 24-inch deep shelves. It now seems as if I spent the whole 40 years crawling around on the floor trying to make it work (no budget for a quality re-make). When I downsized to a small cottage with a new kitchen – drawers and pullouts galore – I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Never, ever install base cabinets without some way to access things at the back while standing upright!
I did smile at times, because “luxurious” is not an impression I want my kitchen to give (I’d be afraid to mess it up!) – my go-to look would be Practical, Sensible and Timeless, but one definitely doesn’t want it to look cheap either. Thanks for the tips! We did use some when redoing our kitchen some years ago, good to see we had it ’right’ on some points (and merely not-wrong on others).
I always love your articles! My husband and I have different ideas about luxury design and practicality in the kitchen. I have always loved decluttered countertops and believe that it’s practical to not have a lot out on the countertops for ease of cooking and preparing meals and cleaning. We recently retired and built a new house with more counter space than I have ever had in forty years of marriage! I have found myself actually agreeing to having two appliances on the counter – our coffee maker and, gasp, an air fryer! (I bet you thought I was going to say toaster!) I have these appliances on the counter beside the refrigerator bump out so it isn’t in view of the main living areas but it is so convenient! I even bought a beautiful tray that holds a napkin holder, salt and pepper shakers, a coffee mug full of metal coffee stirrers, and a ceramic dish that holds our sugar substitute. And, right beside this tray, I have a really cool paper towel stand. I can’t believe what has gotten into me in my old age! Please tell me it’s ok to be a little practical as I age! Oh, and the toaster is in the cabinet below. I have it on a pull-out with an extension cord. We pull it out and move the cutting board that I have propped up on the counter to hide the electrical outlet. We slide the board over to plug it in and leave the toaster right where it is on the pullout. The air fryer doesn’t cooperate with the pullout set-up so it has to go on the counter. Cutting boards make great outlet covers, by the way!
First, thank you thank you thank you! We’re about to redo the kitchen in our daughter’s 1930 pink Spanish house. Showing the difference in looks, esp the toe kick, is SO helpful. She’s too young to have much kitchen experience, and these pictures help explain everything at a glance. Second, we live in an area with some bizarre rebuild requirements, like use of fluorescent lighting. We solved the problem by installing the fluorescent lights under the cabinets. The benefit of the light without the major ugly. Then we added power strips for all the appliances. It makes the backsplash area much less populated with outlets, with better ease of eye, and anyone can work anywhere along the counter.
I love your website Garrett! My tag line for you is “The Designer with Sense and Sensibility.” Everything you point out is so logical and obvious but unconsciously overlooked—like those deep cavernous corner cabinets from hell. I have two more items to add to your list—too many wall outlets on a backsplash and “fake ventilation.” I have six ugly outlets on my backsplash, and that’s all you see when you walk into my kitchen. As for fake ventilation, I’m talking about those microwave/fan combo units over the stove that pretend to filter out grease and smoke and do nothing but act as an annoying noise generator. Proper ventilation may seem just functional, but to me a well designed exhaust hood is pure luxury. ⭐️ P.S. Congrats on reaching 30K subscribers! I predict you will top 100K by 2023😃
I have 10 foot ceilings in my kitchen so going all the way up to the ceiling was just not affordable or practical. And I almost made the mistake of doing a wild colorful backsplash but I’m so glad I changed my mind. And I laughed when he talked about the refrigerator fit in the space. I ordered a refrigerator back in May. And I had my cabinets made with those specific measurements in mind. I didn’t get that ordered refrigerator until literally yesterday. So I’ve had a loaner fridge which I appreciated but it didn’t fit and it looked really stupid. So nice to have my new one in place now
30.000? Wow Garrett congratulations! Can’t wait for you to reach 30.000.000!!!🎉 Thank you so much, these articles are very helpful for many people around the word trying to figure out ways to improve and enjoy their space. Your positivity and non judgemental attitude makes them even better. Also your doggos are adorable! 😁
Agree so much about toe kicks and drawers. It adds so much to function and keeping things organized and clean. I wish we could do cabinets to the ceiling. We have a vaulted ceiling in a 90s home, so I didn’t want to make the space feel smaller by lowering the ceiling, but I prefer cabinets that go all the way up. Not only having NOT to dust, but also for having more storage.
Always great advice. Also love the comment about sustainability. Re: cabinets and trim to the ceiling, I love that look, but also wanted to comment that sometimes a little cabinet that doesn’t reach the ceiling or a china cabinet/hutch feels like an organic addition. It looks kind of hand curated or handmade if it looks like a piece of furniture. Maybe better for a traditional style.
I love your articles. I am learning a lot and enjoying myself at the same time. I also appreciate that you don’t say don’t do something, you promote being ourselves even if its something you personally wouldn’t do. I was wondering if you would consider doing a article on mobile home improvements or elevating our homes on a budget.
I have to say Garret, you are a class act. So many times when people do these kind of articles they come off as condescending and are often just saying anything that is not currently trending is disgusting trash. Not you! You come off as a classy friend giving solid non-judgmental advice to help people elevate their space. I also appreciate your encouraging people towards environmental conciousness. And of course, we love your pup!
Love the info on the toe kick. I just purchased my cabinets on line from a company called Nelson Cabinetry, I think the quality falls in the category 2 you mention at the beginning of the article, I was sold because compared to big box cabinets, these are entirely made of wood and surprisingly affordable. Until I watched your article, I had never paid attention to this detail as being a feature found in higher end cabinets. My cabinets do have this space, now I can’t stop noticing it Everytime I walk into my kitchen 😂, maybe one day I will fill it out to achieve the more expensive look. I love your article as you help me refine my knowledge, there is always a pearl in every article you post! ❤️
Thank you so very much Garrett for these wonderful tips!! My husband is a custom cabinet builder and your idea of getting rid of the toe kick is right on point. We are currently designing our own kitchen and in addition to inset doors, we are getting rid of the toe kick. One suggestion is to utilize that toe kick space with an additional drawer. I plan to incorporate six of these into my kitchen with touch opening systems. This will allow hidden storage for baking sheets and thinner kitchen items that are not frequently used. Keep your ideas coming!! I love your articles, you, but especially your precious pups. 🐶♥️
I enjoyed this article. Your pacing, content and screen presense are outstanding. And as a kitchen designer and installer I agree with many of your points so I do know exactly what you are speaking about. However I wish you had included more visuals to consistently enlighten us and to support your interesting and valid narrative. The more visual imagery to support your points the better. It would have been great, for one example, if you had shown more photos of refrigerators that you consider fitting their space. None of them really corrected the issues such as a counter depth fridge or correcting for fridges that open the wrong way or addressing the gap above the top of the refrigerator and the cabinet above. Photos to compare the ill-fitting with a well-fitting could be used.
Where have you been all my YouTube life?? You are a total gem and wealth of knowledge. Question: I am finally getting the nasty 25 y/o builder grade wallpaper off my kitchen walls and into the trash, where it belongs. Hiring a person to come in and lay a brand new layer of mud on the walls, then priming for paint. I like clean lines, simple, and bright, utilizing neutral color schemes. What are some timeless wall colors for a kitchen? Also, my cabinets are builder-grade orangey oak…not my jam. How about a coordinating paint recommendation to go with the recommendation of the wall color?? Your article couldn’t come at a better time! Thank you, Garrett! I plan to binge-watch your articles very soon.
Congratulations on the 30,000 subscribers! Some fantastic advice as always. I’m currently trying to ‘elevate’ the tiny builder-grade kitchen in my new flat. It has most of the ‘affordable kitchen’ issues you mentioned: ugly hardware, thick grout lines, toe-kick space, zero (yes zero) drawers, tired-looking builder-grade tap/faucet, cabinets that don’t go to the ceiling, plastic utensils, plus, as a bonus, an ugly boiler on the far wall which is the first thing you see when you walk in. The fridge is small, but at least it fits. 😂 I can’t afford a full kitchen renovation at the moment but I’m considering repainting the cabinet doors and replacing the hardware. It’s melamine though, in that cheap plastic faux beech finish so I’m a bit apprehensive about painting it, but I might summon up the courage one day!
30k👏👏👏 I moved into this 73 home with no updates. The kitchen appliances, and especially the fridge were a wreck. The cabinets had such a small opening that no modern fridge would fit. The kitchen was large and I put the new fridge in a space that maybe was meant for a tiny dinette. Now I have this really nice fridge with no water and ice. The plumber wanted over 600 to run water through the garage wall. So that didn’t get done even though that water source is directly behind the wall. Garret you would probably cry if you had this kitchen. The good news is that the money I saved on not adding water, I bought a really nice wash machine. No dryer though. I wish I could use all your great ideas, or mine.
I have a blind corner base cabinet. I have frequently seen those corners blocked off – but that’s four to eight square feet of potential storage space going unused. I loathe wasted space, so I was determined to use it. I used a blind corner cabinet with the biggest door opening possible, then I had two pull out trays installed so i could pull them forward to more easily reach what was in the back. I have pull out trays on some other base door cabinets, baking cabinet (accommodates large container of flour etc,) and trays for pots and pans. I prefer tray drawers behind doors to “drawer drawers” as they are more shallow and more easily accessible. I did turn tables on my upper corner cupboards. Even some of my upper cupboards have turntables. My spices are inside a cupboard door. Very easy access, and don’t take up any more space. I know you addressed doors – but there is also framed vs unframed cabinets. Unframed cabinets have more storage space since you don’t have the dead space between cabinets. I hated my builder grade cabinets because of the pillar in the middle that would block access. That’s another consideration
I don’t understand why builders do not make the refrigerator space deeper. Any standard refrigerator will stick out if it’s placed flush to the wall. Then, to top it off, standard depth cabinets are installed over it that you can’t reach into. It aggravates me. Counter depth refrigerators are expensive and you sacrifice food storage capacity for looks. I really like the information you, and examples, in your articles Garret. Well done.
Congrats on 30,000 subs! I wish I would have seen this article three years ago when doing my kitchen, but we did some of the things on this article. Our kitchen was semi custom. The custom design would’ve added like $20k and torn down walls I didn’t want to tear down. I just wanted a new oven when we redesigned our kitchen, not get a new house.
I have an old farm house. The kitchen has inset drawers and cupboards. It looks like it was hand made. I painted the top cupboards white, the bottom cupboards slate blue, added beautiful handles and now, I’m going to replace, the roller-hardware in the drawers to make the drawers feel more luxurious. Love your tip about the kick-board! Thank you! Love your pup too!!
Heh, I think my house would give you a heart attack. 😅 Buying the house I grew up in. In the 80s. It hasn’t been updated since the mid 80s. And even then, it wasn’t much. I live in a log cabin built in the early 70s. Think Lincoln Logs. No seriously… My support walls and outside walls are round. On both sides. The walls cross each other at corners. Seriously. Lincoln log house. 😂 And it’s always been painted either a cream semi-gloss in half of the house since around 2000 or this matte poop brown color inside before that. The outside has always been that matte brown poop color. Omg when I was a kid we even had that velvet woodsy print couch. The dark one with the pine cones. Oi. This place is going to kill me to redo ❤
I love your articles. Can you do a tutorial about integrating your antiques and vintage items in your house without being tacky or just too much. I have completely remodeled my 35 year old manufactured home it is 1800 Sq ft and I have the beautiful white kitchen and new laminate flooring throughout and guest and master completely redone. Now I just have to figure out what I’m willing to part with and what I’m not. I collect art glass vtg ceramics and pottery and art deco.
😂 48:00 – 49:00 Look at that French bulldog climbing the stairs at speed light!⚡ALL under ONE second! 🤣👌🏼 Thanks Garrett for the kitchen article! My kitchen is such a puzzle! I can make it “Pinterest cute” but it will never feel luxurious! But my only one cabinet goes up to the ceiling! I also bought a new retro looking refrigerator (red and chrome) that’s smaller, so it fits better… I just want a more functional space that works for me. (Obviously, new owners would break the kitchen wall!) 👉🏼🏅🏆 Your website growth should get exponential since perusal you once is adopting you! You’re the best! 🤞🏼🍀🌠
Dear Garrett, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and artistry on the finer points and also design basics the average person does not intuitively pick up on (for example, the differences in kitchen cabinetry doors and the professional terms used to describe them). The images are stellar and inspiring. I’ve inherited low-end kitchen cabinets with narrow moulding and a sharply-angled ceiling that prevents me from installing taller cabinets at top, so cheap, cheap, cheap. I was wondering how to best elevate their look at least a bit & hoping you might at some point add to your website a article focusing on what you called the “jewelry” aspect of cabinetry (hardware) re which styles go best with what types of doors/cabinets re plain or trimmed, when and where to keep hardware styles and types consistent or mix and match whether knobs, pulls, etc. Love your style, kisses to the pups!
I would add two cautionary points to inset cabinet doors…..if you’re in an older home, it will be more difficult to install…..square and level walls and floors are critical with inset doors……in addition, inset doors make the surrounding box more vulnerable to showing dings, dents, paint chips when taking things in and out of cabinets…..an overlay door hides that aspect of everyday use…..that said, I wouldn’t trade my inset doors for anything else! ❤️
Garrett, a warm “hello😄” from your newest subscriber! So glad to have found your ever-so-helpful website. 😊 We’re in the midst of remodeling, just about to launch into the kitchen phase; I hope we will be able to incorporate some of your excellent observations into our design details. Congratulations on reaching 30,000+ subscribers–wow! 🥳🥂🍾🥂🥳Long may you, all of your beloveds, & your website thrive! 💐🌿🌷🌿💚🌿🌷🌿💐
Love these tips. I remodeled my kitchen 15 years ago and it still looks amazing and I didn’t do the toe kick. Nice to hear it was a good decision. Note: I have a toe kick where my range top is and it’s always filled with dust and dirt. I’ll take your suggestion to fill it in with molding (I’m about to paint them out and change my backsplash so perfect timing). Thx. Keep the tips coming.
Just got a look from my husband……I had to LOL when you talked about the toe nails. You are so funny and a great decorator. I wanted to ask you about something nobody seems to address and that are hallways. Those smaller hallways that you see in most colonials and even other home styles. Should you even bother decorating or keep them as simple as possible ?
Wow, so impressed with this article! I’m a little obsessed with interior design articles, so I’ve seen many, but this is my new favorite. Loved that you explain what works & why something doesn’t work. You presented ideas & concepts that I never gave a second thought to. Loved this article & plan to watch again and take notes.
Garrett, congrats on 30K subbies! You deserve it!! Love your website and enjoyed this article in particular. I now want to add base boards to my toe kick cabs. Great idea! I have maple colored cabs. Would it be okay to add black baseboard? Not sure we can match the color. We didn’t install these and don’t want to spend a lot of money for new ones, which I would prefer. Please advise! TIA. Mandy from Tucson🌵
Great article, as always. And congrats on 30k subs … as one of your earliest subscribers I am very proud! 😌 I cannot more strongly agree about the uselessness of toekicks and upgrading your lower cabinetry to drawers for more functionality and usability … mine are full but I have no idea what is down there. Lols.
My house is a 1977 split level and it is reallly hard to make it feel “elevated” w that stucco ceiling! Love your ideas and when my husband retires in a few years we will have a lot to work on adding Class to our home… Challenge accepted bc in a few years I may be a grandma and want to ENJOY baking Cookies!
I love these great tips! I think I will try to get rid of that obnoxious toe kick in my kitchen. Congrats on the 30K!! But I think 30K is just the start. I watch a lot of You Tube interior decorating articles and your’s is by far the best. I always learn something new from you. I predict you will eventually top 1 Mil. But some of those people will subscribe because they love perusal your precious dogs😃
Thank you for your very practical and usable tips. We are getting ready to redo our 1988 kitchen. You bought up items I really wasn’t aware of like covering the toe kick space. My retirement gift to myself is the kitchen update centered around an Ilve Nostalgia range in burgundy red with brass trim. I was going to go with a light cabinet color to let the stove be the spotlight. I will be perusal many more of your articles! If you see my post I’d love to hear your color recommendations for cabinets and countertop material.
Another mistake is not finishing the sides of an end cabinet with a decorative panel. I just moved into a house with a new, white Shaker style kitchen, but no end panels, hardly any drawers, the fridge sticks out… I decided to replace all lower cabinets with drawers. Don’t really like to retrofit drawers because a lot of dust and crumbs get caught underneath the bottom drawer.
This article has been very helpful. I will hopefully finally do a refresh / remodel of the kitchen this year. I do have one question, I have 10-ft ceilings. Have molding at ceiling / wall. I go back and forth between taking cabinets to the top and not. I also have a bump out on the wall with upper cabinets (it’s the closet for the 3rd bedroom which is on the other side) and the bump out does not go all the way to ceiling which makes me think it would look weird to take the cabinets all the way to the ceiling. That being said, I do think I want taller cabinets and was thinking of getting 42″ cabinets. What would you recommend? Almost forgot to add that kitchen is basically a galley kitchen with upper cabinets on one side, which can be seen from the living area.
Yes yes yes to the natural materials. I want as little plastic in my new house as humanly possible. Our new cabinets were built by a local company and are the full overlay, and a stained solid wood. We have a limited color palate (mostly blacks and tans) and ordered all black stainless appliances. The fridge is counterdepth to minimize the intrusion into the kitchen. (Less storage, but we also have a full size freezer in the pantry.) I really agree that consistency makes a big difference. Congrats on the 30K subscribers and may you continue to grow – you deserve it!
WOW!!! Cheers, Garrett, on your 30,000 subscribers!!! 🎉🥂🎉 It’s no wonder with your very informative and fun articles! I love that you offer solutions for every budget so that we can all make our spaces more beautiful! Today, I’m loving your tips on drawers for the lower cabinets and the simpler backsplash design. Accessibility and being able to more easily age in place should always be design priorities! Thank you for sharing your time and talents, and congratulations!!! Colleen 🤩👏🥳
You’d scream in horror if you saw my kitchen this week. Replacing all the floors in my condo and had to move every single thing off the floors. I have a stainless shelf that I put in for food storage…..said food is all over my counter tops. It’s driving me batty but I’ll be very happy once it’s done. Then on to choosing new counter tops. You’ve given such wonderful advice…..the kind that stands the tests of time. So appreciate you!
You are so cute and such a charmer! I watch you for entertainment more than for decorating tips. I rent an apartment and for past 8 years have enjoyed decorating it. But I can’t change anything major, especially my kitchen, and since one day I plan to move back to California from Florida to join my son and his family, re-decorating is not on my list of priorities. But perusal you is. LOL
One of the features that sold us on our house is all of the drawers in the kitchen. I love them with all my heart, even though the counters were inexpensive white laminate with the wood trim, and the backsplash was a 4-inch green tile laid diagonally. Oy. Those drawers instead of base cabinets are the best. (And we replaced the counters and backsplash as soon as we could.)
Cheap and ugly…not good in people, toenails, or kitchens.😉 Great advice here. Could not agree more. 💕 Going up to the ceiling with cabinets really can make a space look so much bigger and elegant. Those toekicks are interesting. Sometimes you do need a bit of space but a few times I have seen no finish on them. Small thing but big impact in the wrong direction. People forget, or water damage maybe. Yes, they do get really yucky sometimes. With the refrigerator finding the right size can be tricky. It is almost easier to rebuild the surround. Counter depth can be pricey. A nice fit does look so much better and the door can be a real function problem if it does not open in the right direction. Happens in apartments alot. People don’t realize the door direction can be reversed a lot of the time. My dream…stopping with the cheaper builder’s grade level in the world entirely. More pride and thought in workmanship, less junk that just falls apart then ends up costing more for the buyer to replace as it fills landfills. Unlikely, but one can hope!😊
Great article! Thank you. I updated my plastic cooking utensilis for wood and I am very happy. Garreth, I have a question, I moved house and the colours of the door handles in the entire house and bathrooms taps are gold colours and I am renovating my kitchen, so, the question is, do I need to continue with gold colour hardware in the kitchen(taps, knobs handles)?
What are your thoughts on backsplash color options to pair with soapstone? Trying not to make a big contrast but also not interested in a matching dark grey backsplash to match the counter. Soapstone is so underrated. It’s non-porous so is cleaner and doesn’t need to be sealed and is so easy to maintain and repair any dings.
Good luck finding a new modern fridge to fit in a 1970’s kitchen format…fridges have greatly changed in the past 30 years. you cannot get one customized at the factory so changing the kitchen format is costly, so you just make do with what you can find unfortunately. We have a larger than normal kitchen in our custom home, and we took out the upper and lower cabinets and added an upright freezer as a matched pair on the wall. Love your website it gave me inspiration ❤🧡💛💚💙
Okay I have seen so many of thee articles and after perusal came away like whatever….but this article was great! So many gems…and thank you for including the piece about the toe kick…that’s a project that I’ve been wanting to tackle but thought I just had to keep it! Can’t wait to check out more of your articles – great info!!!
Thank you for these very helpful articles. I’m glad you included backsplashes. I have a neutral older backsplash that I still really like but unfortunately it has never really sat well with the countertops color wise. They are not awful just not a great match. What do you think of painting a backsplash to match the cabinets, in this case White Dove? I cannot afford to change countertops.
I watched this over a year ago and changed a piece of plastic thing from my kitchen for metal, that’s the starting point of a whole DIY renovation and after a year with the inspiration of lots of other YouTube articles from you and other people, my home is transformed into a minimalism style and looked more expensive than before. Thank you!
Just “discovered” your website and look forward to perusal all your articles; love that you place so much value in practicality and function (as in ease of maintenance/cleaning and “aging in place”! I’m only 57 but when I designed my new kitchen in 2019 I took practicality, function and “aging in place” to consideration when I made the MANY decisions that went into the project including the hardware for drawers & cabinets (did many large, deep drawers instead of cabinets in a lot of places) I am now in the planning stages of 3 bathroom renovations and I will look for your articles that may help me with that (but already took note of your rec for small grout lines and drawers rather than cabinets that you recommended in this article!) Thank you!
Having just finished a kitchen renovation, I was happy that I completed most of the items on this list. I like the idea of building out the toe kick. Not once have I ever heard that before. And I did a ton of research before I started my reno. Thanks so much for always giving thoughtful and helpful advice! And sending love to the doggies 💙 of course!
The things I thing look cheap are: Laminate counter tops Linoleum floors White, black, or med stain oak wooden cabinets Different colors of upper and lower cabinets Too much clutter (especially random small appliances everywhere) Dirty kitchen Tile that doesn’t cover the wall— sometimes you see that one strip of tile along the counter and the rest is painted drywall.