These gorgeous kitchens will inspire your own upgrades for a new space you’ll enjoy for many years.

These amazingbefore-and-after kitchen remodel ideaswill inspire you to start planning a kitchen renovation of your own.

This allowed her to spend her budget on materials that elevate the look.

light blue modern kitchen

Credit: Dustin Halleck

The angled corner cabinets dated the kitchen’s construction to the 1990s when angles were in.

you might create a timeless look by squaring off the lines.

Replacing all the upper cabinetry with a customcurio-style cabinetand a few open shelves gives the rooms some space.

A before shot of a small white kitchen from the Kraus home.

Credit:Courtesy of Stephanie Kraus Designs

Before: Dated and Disorganized

A dated design and lack of storage limited this kitchen’s potential.

Thetoo-small islandand basic cabinetry left little room for stylish organization.

This kitchen remodel idea included reworking existing features to boost storage without changing the layout.

A white contemporary kitchen with black accent in the island and range hood.

Credit:Robert Radifera / Interior Design: Stephanie Kraus

The enlarged island now features open shelves on one end that store and display serving pieces.

New appliances, a custom-built range hood, and a crisp white and gray color scheme modernize the space.

A peninsula closed off the kitchen from the dining area, disrupting the traffic flow.

small kitchen with wood cabinetry

Credit: Courtesy of Cristina Garay

After: Colorful Kitchen Refresh

Light blue paintnow covers the dark wood cabinetry with playful color.

Adding open shelves and swapping the island’sgranite countertop with a white quartz surfacefurther lightened the room’s visual weight.

Moroccan tiles stretch to the ceiling for a bold dose of pattern.

modern keep sleek organize kitchen

Credit: Helen Norman

Open shelves replaced one block of cabinets to reinforce the airy look.

Graphic porcelain floortiles add a bold punch of pattern, while upgraded appliances andbutcher-block countertopsround out the kitchen makeover.

Plaid wallpaper and ornate iron hardware were not in sync with the homeowner’s personal style.

DIY kitchen renovation

Credit: Alex and Irina Mazhukhin

Darkly veined countertops and wood cabinets created a heavy, dated look.

After: High-Style Kitchen

Kitchen remodeling ideas were used to brighten the kitchen.

The original cabinetswere painted crisp whiteand a light blue-gray, and veined white quartzite replaced the dark granite countertops.

before kitchen dated cabinets

Aniko and Miki’s kitchen before renovations.Credit: Aniko Levai

New hardware andglass pendants above the islandintroduce shiny brass accents.

Removing the old wallpaper made way for a sleeksubway tile backsplash.

This suburban kitchen went from boring to bursting with texture, pattern, and personality.

open kitchen dining area

Credit: Lincoln Barbour

Thekitchen renovationwas all accomplished within its existing floor plan.

After: Brassy and Bright

Moving the sink to the window gave this kitchena harder-working U-shape layout.

Mushroom-color cabinets contrast with white quartz countertops and a subway tile backsplash.

before shot of Jennifer Smart-Abbey’s kitchen

Credit: Courtesy of Jennifer Smart-Abbey

The reasonably priced backsplash tile was taken up to the ceiling for an added sense of height.

Brass cabinet hardware and vintage columns on the breakfast bar add history without dating the look.

Before: Narrow Kitchen Layout

This cramped kitchen lacked a logical flow, causing traffic to stop.

Kitchen with white counter and bar seating

Credit: Helen Norman

A poorly placed peninsula blocked the path between the kitchen and dining room.

A kitchen remodelgave it an open layoutto make the space more functional.

The peninsula was also replaced with an island.

warm modern style townhouse kitchen

The refrigerator is now near a breakfast andcoffee stationcloser to the dining room to simplify morning routines.

This before-and-after kitchen remodel ideareconfigured the layoutand added cottage-style charm.

After: Efficient Cottage Charm

A smart kitchen renovation made better use of the kitchen’s footprint.

kitchen with beige cabinets

Credit: Helen Norman

White shiplap, painted cabinets, and open shelvesinfuse the kitchen with farmhouse flair.

With the dishwasher now tucked into the island, dirty dish drips are a thing of the past.

Before: Ready to Remodel

This kitchen wascramped and isolatedfrom the rest of the first-floor rooms.

small-u-shaped-kitchen

Drab finishes imparted no personality, and clunky appliances were eyesores.

The homeowners used drywall, lattice strips, and metallic paint to make a focal-point range hood.

The counter-depth refrigerator has the appearance of a built-in model but is more affordable.

floor-to-ceiling cabinets and blue kitchen island

Credit: Michael Partenio

With a tiny island but no room for a table, a trueeat-in kitchenwasn’t an option.

A total kitchen makeover revamped the space with a sophisticated, clean-line aesthetic and high-performance features.

Before: Bland and Awkward

The awkward layout of this 1980s kitchen demanded an update.

vintage contemporary kitchen before window view

After: Bright, Beachy Kitchen

White cabinetry and whitewashed oak flooring give this kitchen abeachy feel.

The smooth, glossy tiles run to the ceiling, providing a textural changeup from all the wood.

Painting the broad expanse of wood kicked off this kitchen remodel.

white vintage contemporary kitchen

Credit: Emily Followill

A contrasting paint job on the island introduces a favorite color that might be too bold for perimeter cabinets.

Outfitted with seating and storage, the new island brings high function to the space.

Before: Brick and Stone

This kitchen needed some serious polishing butno significant structural changes.

outdated kitchen corner with flower stepstool

To update the space, layers of laminate flooring were removed to make way for cork.

Before: Untapped Potential

This small kitchen needed a big expansion to fit a family of six.

After: Family-Friendly Kitchen

Barely-there gray cabinets create aneutral kitchenwith a sophisticated style.

green modern kitchen with soft wood tones

Credit: Gordon Beall

Thegranite countertopsand gray subway tile backsplashpair perfectly with the color schemefor a timeless, soothing space.

They then installedreclaimed wood floorsand assembled and finished the stock base cabinetry.

The island was built from stock cabinetry and topped with concrete andbutcher-block countertops.

outdated kitchen with yellow oven

Stainless-steel shelves replace upper cabinets, creating a kitchen that is bright and open.

A dated color scheme andcheckerboard wood floorleft the kitchen looking tired.

A variety of kitchen remodel ideas helped lighten and brighten the space and create a more sophisticated kitchen.

black and white kitchen

Credit: Kimberly Gavin

Anisland adds seatingand prep space to the center of the room.

Deep brown walls and a black tile backsplash created a heavy, dated look.

Basic goldenoak cabinetrywas the most prominent of the unattractive features.

kitchen with red and white cabinets

Removing a door between the kitchen and the attached mudroom provided better access to storage.

With all these functional changes, surface updates were a must.

White cabinetry and shiny metallic accents add glamour.

red kitchen

Credit: John Granen

The broad lengths of cabinetry and efficient layout didn’t need major updates.

A few cosmetic tweaks and the addition of island seating helped this kitchen look and perform its best.

After: Brighter Blue Kitchen

The existing cabinets received a facelift with color and new hardware.

kitchen with green wall

This money-saving move made room in the budget for other items that boosted the functional aspects of the kitchen.

Plus, the refrigerator was shoved awkwardly into a corner, which prevented its doors from opening completely.

The two storage closets were ill-conceived but full of potential.

kitchen with grey island

Credit: Michael Partenio

New to-the-ceiling cabinets fill the space where theawkward soffitsat.

Cosmetic upgrades, such as crown molding and heart-pine floors, capture vintage style in the newer home.

A new cabinet color and surface updates helped transform the dowdy kitchen.

kitchen with wood cabinets and island

And the best part?

The entire kitchen renovation wasdone on a practical budget.

Creamy white walls, brushed-nickel cabinet hardware, and glossy new appliances add to the kitchen’s elegant facelift.

kitchen with blue stools

Credit: Nicole LaMotte

To save money, the homeowners kept the appliances in their original locations.

The island was replaced with a peninsula, giving the homeowners better traffic flow and a casual seating area.

Acolorful yet subtle backsplashadds personality and charm to this kitchen remodel.

kitchen with green island

Before: Cramped Quarters

Thegalley kitchenin this 1920s home needed to be brought into this century.

Knocking out a wall between the kitchen and the dining room drastically improved how the space is used.

After: Airy Galley Kitchen

Removing one wall added ten valuable inches to the galley kitchen.

kitchen with blue island

Credit: Brie Williams

Timeless finishes outfit the vintage-style kitchen, including a subway tile backsplash and crisp white cabinetry.

The builder-basic space also lacked personality.

Stock cabinets and chunky traditional-style legs found online expand the island and create a much-needed seating area.

outdated kitchen with dog

A larger window and the painted cabinets help this kitchen feel airy and bright.

However, the fading finishes weren’t white anymore, making the kitchen feel dirty.

A kitchen renovation resulted in abrighter, more functional space.

kitchen with modern range hood

Credit: John Bessler

Before: Too Neighborly

This kitchen needed a whole new layout to function at its best.

The sink window previously stared directly into the neighbor’s dining room.

A slim but sized-right island replaced a traffic-blocking peninsula.Airy, soothing colorsand materials lighten the overall look.

kitchen before makeover

After: Cozy Farmhouse Kitchen

The kitchen remodel ideas for thisfarmhouse spaceare rooted in mixing and matching.

Some of the wall cabinets reach to the ceiling,creating additional storageand display areas.

Before: Awkward Kitchen Layout

The white U-shape kitchen was functional but boring.

white kitchen

Credit: Alise O’Brien

A renovation opened up the space and introduced new personality.

This effectively isolated the cook and made navigating the room difficult.

Switching around the floor plan improved traffic flow to make the kitchen more efficient.

outdated kitchen

The range was moved to the opposite wall for a more practical layout.

A trio of windows lets light stream into the sunny space.

The lack of light andbland cabinet colormade the kitchen seem cave-like and dreary.

blue kitchen with dog

Credit: Erik Johnson

A kitchen remodel opened the space for a brighter, more inviting feeling.

A large island replaces any lost storage while adding seating andprep space.

The dark wood floors contrast with bright white cabinets to give the kitchen presence.

white kitchen island

Before: ’90s Kitchen

Teal countertopsmade this kitchen look straight out of the 1990s.

An awkward layout, dismal storage, andvinyl flooringmeant a kitchen remodel was severely needed.

An inviting breakfast barone of the splurgesadds a spot for quick meals.

Traditional style kitchen with white cabinetry

Credit: Werner Straube

Painting the stock cabinets in two neutral colors offers a custom look for much less.

Granite countertops and hardwood floors in Brazilian cherry finish give the kitchen polish.

Kitchen Makeover in Stages

Kitchen makeovers don’t have to happen all at once.

before kitchen dark walls oak cabinetry

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

Tackling kitchen remodel ideas in stages can help you fit a large-scale update into your schedule.

Check out how you could work on your kitchen just a few steps at a time.

Put your prettiest dishes and serveware on display.

white after kitchen with island bench

Credit: Jeff Herr

For a low-cost DIY update, paint cabinets or walls (or both).

Use different colors on uppers and lowers to add contrast and interest.

Built-in appliances look more upscale than free-standing.

black and white before kitchen basic

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

Solid-surface natural countertops in simple patterns look more expensive than busy ones.

Replace old or dated hardware with natural brass, black, or nickel options.

Switch out tile floors for durable luxury plank vinyl in a wood look.

after kitchen white upper cabinets gray lower blue island

Credit: Laura Moss

Add overhead LED lighting and task lighting above the sink or stove.

After demolition,HVAC, electrical, and plumbing are next.

Drywall, painting, and floors follow, then cabinets, countertops, and backsplash.

before kitchen oak cabinets small island

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

Finally, light fixtures, switches, hardware, and handles are installed.

Light is a big help, so leave windows uncovered if possible and use glass-front cabinets.

Open shelving can add to a feeling of airiness.

after kitchen white vintage

Credit: Brie Williams

Choose light-colored cabinets or countertops and reflective surfaces likestainless steelto bounce light around the room.

Minimize clutter on countertops, and don’t overdo wall hangings or artwork.

Oak cabinetry in kitchen with diagonal kitchen island. Black and white.

back kitchen with diagonal island

Traditional style kitchen with white cabinetry

Traditional style kitchen with white cabinetry and x-back stool

Credit: John Bessler

Dated galley kitchen and white appliances.

white kitchen with beige countertops

Credit: Gordon Beall

Oak cabinetry with black appliance.

Traditional style kitchen with blue island

Credit: James R. Salomon

before kitchen white on white

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

after white kitchen open shelving red bar stools

Credit: Richard Leo Johnson

black and white before kitchen awkward space

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

after kitchen moved sink area under bay window

Credit: Anthony Masterson

Interior of white kitchen at home

vertical of kitchen; Interior of kitchen at home

Credit: Lori Black

before kitchen u-shaped

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

after kitchen taupe cabinets blue tiles

Credit: Edmund Barr

before kitchen strange layout with peninsula

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

after kitchen vintage orange cabinets

Credit: Laurie Black

dark before kitchen angular wall

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

after kitchen white with large island

Credit: Paul Dyer

small dark before kitchen teal counter

Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner

after kitchen transitional white and gray

Credit: John Bessler