40+ Inspiring kitchen ideas to transform your home

It’s a bit cliché, but the kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether you’re cooking dinner while the kids do their homework at the kitchen table or experimenting for your next dinner party, it’s a place we want to enjoy. So, if you’re looking for a design refresh or a full-blown kitchen renovation, you’ve come to the right spot because here are some curated kitchen ideas to inspire you.

Small kitchen ideas

As much as we want to have a big spacious kitchen and dining room in our homes, the reality is that many of us don’t have that luxury and mostly have to deal with tight spaces. While this might mean it’s out of reach for most of us, with some smart small kitchen design ideas, you can enjoy a kitchen you love regardless of the size.

Paint it white

A white kitchen makes a space look larger and cleaner, so removing any dark tiling and splashbacks is a no-brainer! Then, give a lick of other colours for a refreshing crisp look to the white space. A white kitchen also means more natural light will bounce around the room. If you want to be on trend, use metal combined with timber to soften the room—think chopping boards, utensils, seating, and shelving.

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Galley kitchen

Cramped for space in a kitchen? Sometimes a galley layout is all that will work, but at least you can still make it look gorgeous. Add a few of your personal accents to the space to make it inviting but functional.

Kitchen tools

If you’re a cook likely to have more than one pot and saucepan, you’ll need all the available storage you can get. Instead of storing your cookware in cabinets and drawers, which take up valuable room, make good use of vertical space. Hang your kitchen utensils on a spare wall, a kitchen door, inside the pantry, or above the electric or gas range for easy access.

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Space saver

There’s always a bit of extra space by the fridge or oven, which can be used as extra storage. Even if it’s to hold small items such as herbs and chopping boards, every bit of space helps.

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Open shelving

Instead of cupboards, there’s another way to store plates, cups, herbs, and pots, actually just about anything: open shelving. There are lots of options and styles to fit in with your kitchen’s design.

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Small pantry

You can’t have that walk-in pantry that you’ve always dreamt of? Well, maybe splurge and get a smaller but stylish pantry instead. It doesn’t have to be so fancy, just an entire space dedicated to food storage.

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Kitchen storage ideas

Shelves, drawers, pullout pantries – what is the best kitchen storage solution? There are so many smart kitchen storage ideas. Here are some you might want to consider.

Pegboard

If you have gorgeous cooking tools, you might want to hang them up on a pegboard so they can be on display and easy to access. Not only does it look pretty, but it’s a great eye-catching DIY project.

Cupboard shelving racks

If you only have a few shelves, you have to maximise the precious storage with some inner cupboard racks that you can pick up from the store or alternative homewares shops.

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Over sink drying rack

A drying rack next to the sink can be very inconvenient if you’re limited in counter space, as it can be very inconvenient. The perfect solution would be putting the rack above the sink – it’s a game changer!

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Maximise corner cupboards

Corner kitchen cabinets and cupboards are so awkward to access and not utilised to the best of their abilities, but by making the most out of these spaces through pullout mechanisms, they might become your favorite storage spots.

Butler pantry ideas

A walk-in butler’s pantry will add value to any home. After all, who wouldn’t want one? Here are some ultimate butler pantry ideas to make your kitchen look unique.

Ceiling height storage

There is no such thing as too much storage; for your kitchen, it is important to utilise as much space as possible–from the floor to the ceiling.

Glass cabinets

Glass cabinet doors look stunning and are a great way to show off your best crockery. With glass cabinets, you can also easily track your pantry inventory. You can see when certain items are running low or when you need to restock specific ingredients. This helps with meal planning and grocery shopping, as you can easily see what you have and need to buy.

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Timber shelving

Open timber shelves bring warmth into what could otherwise be a plain white room. Timber is also known for its strength and durability. It can withstand heavy loads and daily use in the kitchen.

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Walk-in pantry

Lots of us think that to have a butler’s pantry, it needs to be a closed-off room, but with a walk-in pantry, it means you’re not losing the perception of space.

Breakfast nook ideas

Ideal for any family kitchen, the breakfast nook can be used daily to gather the family around for meals or read the morning paper.

Art-deco nook

If you’re going for a glam vibe, experiment with richer colors such as sage, deep red, or navy in an art-deco-style nook. 

Coastal nook

Embrace the seaside without a rustic feel by keeping it basic with only a few modern touches of the Hamptons to your cosy breakfast nook. Share meals with your family while bringing in a lot of natural light.

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Inner city breakfast nook

Perfect for an apartment or small terrace, an inner-city breakfast space is compact and efficient. It makes the most of available space in a home without sacrificing functionality. On top of that, it embraces the urban-inspired elements that reflect the surrounding cityscape.

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Kitchen cabinet door ideas

It doesn’t matter if you have a small kitchen or are lucky enough to have a huge open-plan kitchen. You can add your personal touch in the simplest of ways. Almost all kitchens have cupboards to store food, plates, and sometimes appliances, which makes a kitchen cabinet the easiest thing to update for the biggest and cheapest dramatic effect.

Door knobs and handles

Maybe your kitchen cabinetry doesn’t need a fresh lick of paint, but what about the door handles or knobs? Updating these is a fantastic way to transform your kitchen without the added expense of replacing all cabinetry.

Coloured cabinets

There’s no better way to make a kitchen stand out than by adding coloured cabinetry. You can choose bold paint colors that show off your personality or soft pastels for a relaxing atmosphere.

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Adding light

Modern LED light fixtures can bring your kitchen’s upper cabinets to life. This is something to consider if you want to give your kitchen some extra flare or add lighting when preparing food.

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Multi-textured cabinetry

Dark cabinetry throughout looks stylish and sophisticated. However, it can make a kitchen appear smaller, so this is where two-colored cabinetry comes in. Since your upper and lower cabinets do not match, you won’t have to update all at once if the “in” styles change over time.

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Display cabinets

Showing off your fancy plates, cups, and other trinkets is something that has never really gone out of fashion, but what has changed is the way it’s done. This could be as simple as open shelving or multi-paned glass cabinets.

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Kitchen backsplash – ideas and tips

It is great to daydream about a gorgeous island bench but thinking about your kitchen backsplash or splashback wouldn’t hurt. Getting the backsplash right can be particularly important for small kitchens, as certain materials can make them appear larger. So how do you choose the perfect kitchen splashback for your design?

Kitchen backsplash considerations

The main thing to consider is the type of material you would like to use and the total cost for the size you need. So many options are on the market, and it’s not an easy decision. Consider your benchtops and cabinets to narrow your options and hopefully reduce your sense of renovator’s decision fatigue.

Don’t forget to ask yourself the harder questions about how easy it is to clean too. After all, it’s called a backsplash for a reason. So whether you’d like to make a statement or something that blends in, here are some different kitchen splashback ideas.

Glass backsplash

Simple, inexpensive, and easy to clean, you can’t go wrong with a glass backsplash. It will suit almost any kitchen design and makes your kitchen look bigger.

Stainless steel backsplash

A stainless steel backsplash offers a minimal design for the more industrial-style or contemporary kitchen. Inexpensive, easy to clean, and durable, it’s easy to see why this option appeals to many.

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Timber splashbacks

Timber splashbacks give a kitchen a stunning look. It is worth noting that timber is expensive and can be tricky to maintain and clean, but if you want to go all out and make a statement or bring a warm Nordic feel to your kitchen, it’s hard to rule this out as an option.

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Window backsplash

A real show stopper, the glass window splashback! This splashback design draws the eye outside, making the kitchen appear larger. Ideally, you want your window to look onto a lot of greenery to produce the wow factor. It will allow for ample natural light to filter through this well-utilised space. But, of course, this design comes with a hefty price tag.

Subway backsplash tiles

A subway-tiled splashback is on-trend without being over the top. It’s easy to clean and a super stylish option.

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Marble backsplash

Marble is jaw-dropping, but it’s pricey and tricky to maintain. If you have your heart set on a marble backsplash and have the patience and attentiveness to care for it, this option will surely add value and style to contemporary kitchen design.

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Kitchen pendant lighting

While downlighting is standard throughout most rooms, adding a pendant light will add depth to your room and enhance your styling even further.

Task lighting

When you cook, it’s fundamental you can see what you’re doing. Depending on your chosen type, a pendant can also reflect a bigger light surface, highlighting the immediate task and surrounding areas.

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Bar pendant light

Bar pendant lights give simplistic and impactful light to your kitchen. With it suiting any kitchen design, it is ramping up to be the next big trend in lighting design.

Glass pendant light

You can’t go past a glass pendant light for a refined modern kitchen. Glass pendant lights can create a beautiful play of light and shadow. This gentle lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere in the room.

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Geometric pendant light

Geometric pendant lights can be visually striking and versatile with several advantages. Visually interesting interior features like wallpapers and decor flow into the pendant light design.

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Kitchen island ideas

An island in the middle of the kitchen is one of the most desirable features in a home. Some island or peninsula designs are only feasible in a larger space, but other variations can also work in smaller kitchens.

Moveable island table

Got a small kitchen, but you want an island? Perhaps your best option is to go with something on wheels. Pop some wheels onto your island and make your ideas into reality.

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Square island table

Make a statement by having a square island rather than a rectangle. It is an efficient use of space and allows for more seating space as you can accommodate more people from all sides.

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Combined island and dining table

This is one of the best kitchen ideas for families. Incorporating the dining area and kitchen into the same space brings everyone into the kitchen to help and multitask when entertaining guests.

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Multi-height island

Having two or three different heights of your island means it can be used for standing, sitting on bar stools, and as a breakfast table. It can also help to subtly section off the kitchen from the dining side of the bench.

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Kitchen benchtop ideas

Choosing a kitchen benchtop can be an overwhelming task. Not only is there a massive range of options on the market, but it’s also the centerpiece of any kitchen – practically and aesthetically. It pays to do your research, and it pays to pay a higher price for a material that suits your needs in the long term. So, where to begin? Let’s break it down by the different types of material.

Engineered stone

Engineered stone, or engineered quartz or quartz stone, is a manmade material, usually made with crushed quartz and an adhesive polymer resin. For good reason, engineered quartz countertops are one of the most popular ones today. They are more resilient in the kitchen. They’re less likely to stain and more robust than their natural counterparts.

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Natural stone

Natural stone options range from prestigious marble countertops to edgy ones made with granite that scream opulence. Unfortunately, these kinds of counters equate to a high price point and can also be high maintenance. Natural stone is porous, so the stone can easily be scratched by acid from citrus fruits or stained by wine, tea, coffee, and even water.

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Timber

Timber is classic and economical and can quickly oscillate between a warm country rustic aesthetic to a sleek modern warehouse vibe. Being softer than stone or metal, a wood surface is kind to your dishes, fantastic as a food preparation surface, and less pricey. Not only that, but you can fix any scratches by just sanding the surface and applying some more oil.

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Metal

Metal benchtops have become fashionable in recent years. Being durable, heat resistant, and stain-proof, they’re easy to maintain and highly hygienic. Brushed-down aluminium, copper, and stainless steel are superb choices for a metal kitchen benchtop. You should also note that a metal bench top will show streaks and fingerprints and is easily scratched; brushed steel is a good option for scratches when selecting your material.

That’s it! I hope you got some kitchen ideas, and if you’ve got one to share, let us know in the comments below.