Planning a kitchen remodeling / renovation ? We explore our favorite kitchen decor ideas and get inspiration to create the kitchen of your dreams. Upgrading a kitchen is full of possibilities, and modernize your kitchen design. The kitchen is probably the most used room in your house, so you want it to be a space you enjoy spending time in. Our best kitchen designs will give you inspiration for your own kitchen makeover. Take a look at these kitchen decorating ideas to remodel kitchen decor and features for style, function and flair in the heart of your home.

1. Make a Splash

Updating your cooking and food-prep area with a tile backsplash is a visually appealing, functional and long-lasting design choice, and it allows plenty of room for your own creativity to shine through. If you opt for subway tile, you can even design your own pattern that harmonizes with the look you want.

2. Re-Laminate Your Cabinets

If your conception of laminate cabinets/countertops hovers around outdated notions of fake-looking stone and surfaces that scratch easily, you may want to investigate the newest family of laminates. With improved graphics, longer lasting surfaces, and better edging techniques, laminate cabinets/countertops have come of age and are rightly finding their way into more homes. Though graphics are sharper and images more photo-realistic, laminate can look fantastic, too when displaying solid colors.

3. Add a Kitchen Island

From dining to dish storage to comfy seating, islands are for much more than preparing food these days. No matter your needs or the size of your kitchen, there’s an island for you. Take a look at these kitchen island ideas.

4. Open Up and Update

Opt for open shelves instead of upper cabinets to provide display space and make a small kitchen feel larger. Install shelves at standard upper-cabinet height — the lower shelf should be approximately 18 inches above the counter. Take a look at these open shelving ideas.

5. Countertop Flair

You might be surprised how much new countertops impact kitchen designs. For example, this sleek granite countertop is beautiful enough to serve as a focal point for your entire kitchen.

6. Upgrade Your Appliances

One of the most popular kitchen updates is installing new energy-efficient appliances, such as a new range, a microwave ovens, an refrigerator, and a water-saving dishwasher.

7. Make a Nook Cozy

Make the most of an underused corner, and add extra storage space, by transforming it into a multipurpose nook for working, informal dining or simply enjoying a quiet cup of coffee. Don’t forget to accessorize your nook with plenty of plump pillows for maximum comfort.

8. Focus on Flooring

If a total kitchen transformation is what you’re after, it’s time to redo your flooring. Many choices are available nowadays. And if you’re looking for a durable, easy-to-clean option and love the traditional appeal of floor tiles/marble tiles, consider a glazed ceramic tiles flooring alternative such as wooden or vinyl flooring, which you can also use on the wall as a rustic backsplash.

9. Remember the Little Things

Cooking is truly an art and any home chef needs inspiration. Look for creative ways to display items that reflect your and your home’s personality. Try an open shelf for showcasing decorative bottles, glassware and artwork, or use hooks to hang cups and mugs, a clock or even a miniature garden using jar planters.

10. Appliance Garage

If you’re going to entertain guests in your kitchen, make your countertops look instantly neater and cleaner by storing frequently used appliances in a built-in garage. You can also use the space as a coffee station or baking center.

11. Create a Workspace

Before you create those culinary masterpieces, you’ll need plenty of surface area for chopping, kneading and mixing. You can also tuck essential appliances inside a kitchen island to maximize cabinet space and cut down on unnecessary trips back and forth to the microwave or dishwasher.

12. Open Your Kitchen Up for Guests

Once you’ve transformed your kitchen, you’ll want to show it off. When planning a remodel, look for opportunities to open up the space and incorporate more seating options, like a breakfast table, a corner bench, or add a bar top to your kitchen island and bring in a few stools.