Remodeling a small kitchen can seem like a daunting task, particularly when considering budget constraints. Altering the layout or undertaking major demolition work can significantly inflate the overall cost of the project.
So, what exactly constitutes a small kitchen remodel? Typically, it refers to a space of 70 square feet or less, roughly equivalent to an 8×8 square foot room. For such renovations, budgeting between $5,000 to $20,000 is common. It’s prudent to allocate an additional 20% for unforeseen expenses that may arise during the remodeling process.
The most substantial expenses in kitchen remodeling often include cabinet replacements, upgrading major appliances such as the oven, and installing new flooring. Any significant alterations to the layout can also incur costs for demolition, contractor fees, and additional materials. Moreover, opting for luxury or high-end materials like exotic hardwood floors can further escalate project costs.
However, there’s reassuring news: numerous cost-effective ways exist to refresh and enhance a small kitchen. Simple updates such as changing paint colors, updating lighting fixtures, and optimizing storage solutions can profoundly rejuvenate both the look and functionality of the space. In this article, we’ll explore creative ideas for conducting a minor remodel of your small kitchen to give it a fresh new feel.
Paint the wall
Painting your kitchen walls is a simple and economical way to give your space a fresh look. It provides an opportunity to experiment with colors and textures, breathing new life into your kitchen.
Firstly, consider the sheen of the paint and its benefits for your space. The sheen affects the wall’s stain resistance and washability. Glossy finishes are easy to wipe down, making them ideal for kitchens prone to splashes. Matte paints, on the other hand, are better at concealing wall imperfections. If your walls bear the marks of past decorations like paintings or shelving units, a matte finish can help mask these flaws, ensuring a more uniform appearance.
Choosing paint colors is the next step. Visit your local home supply or paint store to view samples in person. Select a few colors that catch your eye and bring home samples to test in your kitchen. Paint small squares of each color on your wall, allowing them to dry before making a decision. Assess the colors in natural daylight to accurately gauge their appearance in your space.
If you’re unsure about color choices, consider time-tested methods. Light colors are a popular choice for small kitchens as they create a sense of brightness and space. Opt for white hues on walls, cabinetry, and ceilings to enhance natural light and maintain an airy feel. For added character, introduce lighter accent colors such as mint green, lavender, or pastel pink on cabinetry or accessories.
Alternatively, draw inspiration from the natural world to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Earth tones like warm whites, forest greens, and wood shades evoke a cozy vibe. The combination of whites and greens offers visual interest without overwhelming the space, and these natural hues are timeless, ensuring enduring appeal.
For a dynamic touch, consider incorporating an accent wall. Choose a color that contrasts with your existing walls to create visual interest. For instance, a teal blue accent wall can enliven a kitchen with white walls, lending a bright and beachy feel. Or, introduce a pink accent wall to a kitchen with green walls for a playful and eclectic vibe.
Refinish the flooring
Refinishing your existing flooring presents an economically savvy and eco-conscious approach to kitchen updates, sidestepping the need for demolition or investing in entirely new materials. Natural flooring options such as hardwood, linoleum, and bamboo can all undergo refinishing, effectively extending their lifespan for years to come.
But how do you determine if refinishing is the right choice for your floor? If thorough cleaning reveals permanent water damage, unsightly stains, scuffs, dents, or sun bleaching, it may be time to consider refinishing.
The process of refinishing hardwood and bamboo flooring is relatively straightforward. After sanding the flooring evenly to eliminate imperfections, a protective finish is applied to enhance the color and safeguard the surface. Additionally, hardwood floors can be stained to achieve a different color, diverging from the wood’s natural tones. Meanwhile, linoleum flooring can be lightly sanded, repainted, and glossed to rejuvenate its appearance.
If refinishing proves impractical for your space, another option is updating with vinyl flooring. Modern vinyl products like luxury vinyl plank and tile faithfully mimic the appearance of natural wood and stone at a fraction of the cost. Depending on the product, you may even be able to install it directly over your existing hard flooring, simplifying the upgrade process.
Buy new appliances
Upgrading your kitchen appliances offers a straightforward method to refresh the space without altering its structure. Begin by considering your range hood, as it significantly impacts the visual appeal of your kitchen and can date its interior design. Opt for a hood that complements existing materials to achieve a cohesive aesthetic. For instance, a bleached wooden range hood can harmonize with your flooring or cabinetry, while a copper range hood can complement copper fixtures and hardware elsewhere in the kitchen.
In small kitchens, maximizing countertop space is essential. If your microwave currently occupies precious counter real estate, it hinders cooking, dining, or entertaining activities. Explore options for relocating the microwave off the countertop, such as integrating it into a drawer, cabinet, or kitchen island, thereby freeing up valuable workspace.
Upgrade your lighting
The impact of lighting on your kitchen’s atmosphere should never be underestimated. Start by considering under-cabinet lighting, which effectively illuminates the dark areas beneath your upper cabinets, facilitating food preparation and cleaning tasks. This lighting also serves as essential task lighting, especially for handling knives and other utensils. Opt for dimmable options to create a cozy ambiance during evening hours.
Another lighting upgrade to consider is ceiling-mounted fixtures. Pendant lighting, a timeless choice, not only provides additional illumination but also adds a touch of elegance to any space. It’s particularly effective over island or peninsula countertops, kitchen tables, or work areas. For smaller kitchens, globe pendant lights are an excellent option as they make a significant impact without overwhelming the space.
Alternatively, explore unique lighting options from thrift stores to infuse personality into your kitchen decor. Look for rustic lamps to complement a farmhouse aesthetic or seek out wall-mounted fixtures with exposed bulbs and metal accents for an industrial chic vibe. Visit local antique shops to discover period-accurate sconces that align with a vintage-inspired design scheme.
Add a backsplash
The backsplash holds considerable visual weight in your kitchen. A simple update to this area can instantly elevate the entire space, making it feel brighter, fresher, and more luxurious. Consider porcelain or ceramic tiles for a timeless look that remains budget-friendly. Opt for tiles in a trendy color, such as Pantone’s Peach Fuzz, to infuse a modern and stylish touch. For added visual interest, choose tiles in varying shades of the same color to craft an attention-grabbing mosaic effect.
If you’re inclined towards a hands-on approach, DIY installation of peel-and-stick vinyl tiles offers a convenient option for updating your backsplash. These tiles come in an extensive range of colors and patterns, ensuring compatibility with any conceivable color scheme. Select a vintage-inspired pattern to complement a historic kitchen or opt for a black and white design to evoke a Parisian ambiance.
Replace the countertops
Countertops serve as both a focal point and a highly utilized element in your kitchen. If your countertop shows signs of wear or damage, consider replacing only the affected section to minimize costs. Butcher block countertops, favored for their rustic charm, offer flexibility in segment replacement, allowing you to refresh specific areas without overhauling the entire surface.
Enhance your kitchen’s timeless appeal with ceramic tile countertops, a cost-effective alternative to granite. Embrace creativity by selecting a custom pattern of shapes, colors, and materials to craft a unique countertop that serves as a statement piece for the room. Opt for a minimalist aesthetic with a singular tile design or extend your countertop tile pattern up the walls to seamlessly integrate with a matching backsplash.
Replace the countertops
Countertops serve as both a focal point and a highly utilized element in your kitchen. If your countertop shows signs of wear or damage, consider replacing only the affected section to minimize costs. Butcher block countertops, favored for their rustic charm, offer flexibility in segment replacement, allowing you to refresh specific areas without overhauling the entire surface.
Enhance your kitchen’s timeless appeal with ceramic tile countertops, a cost-effective alternative to granite. Embrace creativity by selecting a custom pattern of shapes, colors, and materials to craft a unique countertop that serves as a statement piece for the room. Opt for a minimalist aesthetic with a singular tile design or extend your countertop tile pattern up the walls to seamlessly integrate with a matching backsplash.
Change the color
Color plays a pivotal role in interior design, setting the tone, and defining the character of a space. Different color combinations can evoke historical eras, style aesthetics, and personal preferences, making intentional color selection crucial for creating a distinctive and memorable small kitchen.
When choosing a color palette, start by considering the desired ambiance for your kitchen. Do you envision a fresh, bright, and airy space? Opt for warm colors. Or perhaps you prefer a cozy, inviting atmosphere? In that case, cool colors may be more suitable.
Another approach is to draw inspiration from existing design styles that resonate with you. Fans of Japandi style may lean towards warm whites, light woods, and neutral tones, while aficionados of Art Deco might favor deep jewel tones paired with metallic accents.
To streamline renovations, leverage existing elements in your kitchen as a foundation. For instance, if you already adore your orange tile backsplash, enhance it by complementing with light yellow walls, clementine cabinets, and burnt orange hardware, creating a captivating sunset-inspired theme.
Additionally, you can pay homage to your home’s history through your color palette. For a 1960s home, consider an avocado green, apricot orange, and gold scheme to evoke a retro vibe. Alternatively, for a 1950s kitchen, pastel pinks, blues, and yellows can channel mid-century charm.
Incorporating pops of color strategically can also invigorate your kitchen’s design. If your space predominantly features neutral tones, introduce a statement color through accessories like stools, throw pillows, cabinet hardware, and dish towels. These subtle additions inject visual interest and vitality into the space without necessitating major overhauls.
Use new materials
Explore creative ways to integrate readily accessible materials as functional elements in your kitchen. Instead of opting for an expensive granite countertop for your island, consider concrete as a cost-effective alternative that contributes to a modern industrial aesthetic and can likely be sourced locally.
Another option is to craft a unique countertop or table using found objects from your surroundings. If you reside in a coastal area, collect sea glass and seashells, or if you’re near a river, gather pebbles, rocks, and fossils. Embed these items into your chosen furniture using mortar and a sealant to create a captivating mosaic piece. Not only is this a rewarding DIY project, but it also serves as a conversation starter for guests.
Add mirrors
To expand the perceived space in your small kitchen, consider utilizing mirrors to introduce additional light sources. An inventive approach is incorporating a mirrored backsplash, which adds visual interest, brightness, and a dynamic element to your space. Pairing this feature with light-colored cabinets and a white countertop can amplify the luminosity, transforming even the darkest kitchens into radiant environments.
Alternatively, draw inspiration from maritime design by incorporating a full-length mirror wall. In a compact kitchen where every inch matters, a mirror wall can effectively double the perceived size of the space. For optimal impact, position the mirror wall across from a window or beneath a skylight to maximize natural light reflection.
Use built-in appliances or storage solutions
Built-ins offer a highly functional solution for enhancing the storage capacity of your kitchen. Incorporate banquette benches with interior storage compartments to efficiently stow bulky items like dry goods, tablecloths, and specialty appliances. Additionally, consider installing a floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcase on a spare wall to proudly display your cookbooks, collectibles, and dishware.
For those with a small kitchen island, ensure it includes cabinets or shelving to neatly store appliances, food, or other items you prefer not to leave on the countertop. Enhance the island’s versatility by ensuring it can accommodate a couple of stools underneath, providing additional seating options in your kitchen.
LX Hausys products for your small kitchen remodel
When it comes to products for your small kitchen remodel, look no further than LX Hausys. We provide a diverse range of options including vinyl tile flooring, porcelain surfaces, quartz surfaces, and more, all designed to combine functional utility with aesthetic appeal for your kitchen. Our team of experts is dedicated to offering personalized advice tailored to your home renovation needs, from budget considerations to material options and creative design choices. Explore our kitchen products today or get in touch to start a conversation with one of our design professionals.
