
Kitchen Ideas
The Kitchen Is The Most Important Room
We know that renovating a kitchen is often a gruelling process—trust us, we’ve been there. But it’s worth the effort because a successful renovation not only adds value to your home but adds pleasure to your life. After all, kitchens are the hub of the home, and if you love to cook or entertain guests, a great kitchen is not only life-enhancing but life-changing.
It’s no surprise that homeowners spend more money on a kitchen renovation than on any other home improvement project. From traditional to modern and contemporary—and everything in between–we’ve got all the kitchen designs and ideas you could ever need.
Kitchen Design At a Glance
Almost two-thirds of homeowners opt for a transitional-style kitchen, making it by far the most popular option today, and it is easy to see why. Transitional style kitchens cater to a range of style preferences and fall perfectly between the classic traditional kitchen and something a little more contemporary.
Transitional style pairs the time-tested appeal of traditional with the clean silhouettes and colour palette of a contemporary design. By avoiding extremes of either style, such as the highly embellished finishes of traditional designs, transitional cuts an elegant line between the two styles from which it is derived.
Cabinetry, Sinks, and Faucets
Without a doubt, the best cabinetry for most kitchens is the Shaker style—the best option for providing that balance between the two influencing styles. Shaker cabinet doors are typically flat in the middle with a raised border at the edges. Richer than minimalistic alternatives yet not overly fussy, Shaker-style cabinets are often painted white and soft grey or are multi-tonal for a more striking look. While cabinet hardware leans towards the more sleek and simple options such as nickel, brass or chrome.
Traditional or farmhouse sinks with an apron front are often good options in newer kitchens to bring elements of the traditional style into the modern-day design. Whether you opt to put it with a classic bridge tap or something a little more streamlined or contemporary, if you think the farmhouse route perhaps isn’t for you, you might want to think about a sleek under-mount sink as an equally stylish alternative.
Rich Woodwork and Stone Countertop
Mixing crisp paintwork with warm wood features adds much-needed texture to a kitchen. In modern kitchens, it is common to see wood used in the flooring, bar stools and countertops. Wooden planks arranged in a herringbone layout add further richness to the space, playing up the positives of the traditional parquet flooring in a way that does not feel remotely old-fashioned.
In the 1990s, dark stone countertops were popularised and made their way into many homes across the country. Today, such tops have lost a substantial amount of their popularity as people find them too dark and rather unwelcoming. A modern, transitional approach to stone countertops can be found in granite, marble or quartz tops in a light colour. Rich enough to pay homage to traditional-style elements but crisp enough to work with contemporary accents in the space, they provide the perfect balance.
Backsplash Tiles or Stones
For a more unique take on your tiling, consider applying the tile vertically or in a herringbone pattern. Alternatively, look for a tile that is less of a standard size or more of an unusual shape for an injection of personality into the space. Subway tiles are great in transitional kitchens, whether you opt for an off-white grouting or a dark grout in an accent tone, white subway tiles are timeless, elegant and simple and will never fight to be the star attraction in the room.
As perfect as subway tile may seem, it definitely is not the only option. Another popular option is to continue your countertop material up the wall. If you opt for granite or quartz counters, it may be worth considering taking the stone up the wall instead of searching for a tile in a different material. However, this can be an expensive option and can increase the cost of your kitchen by at least $3,500 very easily.
Final Takeaway
It is super easy to see why transitional-style kitchens are the most popular kitchen of today. They are clean but not coldly minimalistic, and they are refined without being stuffy. A sophisticated compromise for couples with differing design tastes, the elegant finishes and hint of embellishment can help to satisfy the traditionalist while the clean lines and serene colours play into the hands of the contemporary fan. With the addition of a handful of carefully selected finishing touches, you can be sure to strike the right balance in your new kitchen with open shelving, modern counter stools and warm rugs.

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