6 Easy Ways To Make Your Kitchen Feel More Modern

By Kenneth Newell for Granite Creek Cabinetry

If your kitchen hasn't seen more than a lick of paint in decades or your linoleum floor and laminate countertops have seen better days, it's probably a good time to think about a spot of modernization. With plenty of inspiring kitchen ideas from bold colors to natural materials to innovative appliances, there's plenty of ways to make your tired old kitchen look modern, fresh and inviting.

Using fashionable "warm" metals

Kitchens were put together using different types of materials to those which are popular today but it's never too late to replace some of these materials with more innovative materials to give an up-dated look. Metals are a hot trend in kitchen design and one look that is bang on trend is the use of warm metals such as bronze and copper. Try using a copper sculpted hood stove in your new look kitchen or introduce some bronze pendant lights to give a look that is warm and inviting.

Replace that tired old linoleum

With kitchens now being turned almost in a Great Room there is more of a need than ever for your flooring to be more resilient in order to withstand the rigours of a busy room. Ceramic tiles are a cheaper option than wood and not only do they resist moisture but they are strong, easy to install, easy to clean and relatively cheap. Some manufacturers even produce ceramic tiles which look like hardwood or slate.

Seating in the kitchen

Your kitchen is probably the busiest room in your home and as the hub, it brings family members together, and not just at mealtimes. Try installing some banquettes in front of a sunny window. Not only do banquettes look charming but you can incorporate some useful storage into the back of the benches. Making a great place for the kids to do their homework, you can also interact while preparing the family meal.

Painting your kitchen cabinetry

If there's nothing wrong with your kitchen cabinets except for the fact that they look a little dated, then why not give them a coat of paint to bring them into the 21st century. Soft shades such as slate grey look wonderful in an industrial type of setting, sage green is gorgeous in a country farmhouse kitchen and any of the numerous shades of white will have the effect of making your kitchen appear bigger and brighter. Change the hardware too, and you'll be amazed at the transformation.

New lighting

Finally take a look at your kitchen lighting. Older kitchens tended to have just one central light which was thought to be sufficient. Nowadays lighting is used to give a layered look which can be used all over the kitchen. Pendant lights hanging over a dining table are perfect for kids sitting doing their homework or for creating a more intimate atmosphere when sitting eating a meal. Lights below your upper cabinets will light up your countertop areas so you can see better when carrying out food preparation. Spot lights from the ceiling are a great way to light up specific areas of the kitchen and to give more depth, while wall sconces make a room feel relaxed and inviting. Using a variety of lighting will lend your kitchen to more uses and add extra appeal and character.

Incorporate some of these changes into your kitchen and it will soon start ot feel more modern and family-oriented.

About the author: Kenneth Newel is a Interior Decorator. She is from Ohio and has a passion to write about everything that surrounds her, especially about home decor, lifestyle and fashion trends. Kenneth loves adventure sports in her free time. You can connect her on Twitter.