The two questions to ask when thinking about renovating your kitchen are 'why' and 'how.' These questions will prompt you to look for answers, which, in turn, will cause you to reflect on a wide number of things from your opinion about aesthetics to the type of functionality you’re seeking.

By researching remodeling ideas and designs and by looking at plenty of photos online, you’ll get a fairly good idea about how to add the type of style and function you want. Take your time, of course, as it's never a good idea to make quick decisions when planning a kitchen makeover. Give yourself time to get inspired and to change your mind.

Here are 10 ideas to consider:

1. In your quest for answers, you should read blogs on home improvement and visit websites like Gilmans Kitchen and Bath to get a deeper appreciation for the many design options available.
2. One theme you’ll come across quite often are suggestions for choosing eco-friendly ideas. Until recent times, there was not much awareness about health hazards like volatile organic compounds, or VOC. These are organic chemicals that create high vapor pressure even at ordinary room temperature and can cause lung irritation. The use of the wrong paints and coats designed to beautify your kitchen may introduce VOC into your cooking space.
3. You can make your food preparation area more attractive and functional by adding some subway tile backsplash.
4. Don’t be in a hurry to replace your kitchen cabinets because they look old. If your cabinets are spacious and made of beautiful wood, you may not need to replace them to get a new look. You can save an enormous amount of money by simply adding a coat of fresh paint. Usually, neutral tones work best, as they create a clean look. With the right choice of paint, no one will even know that your cabinets aren’t new unless you tell them.
5. When you walk into a modern kitchen, one of the things that jump out at you is the kitchen island. It’s warm, welcoming, and attractive, and it also adds utilitarian value. Islands are useful for meal-prep, for storing things, and for seating. Even if you have a small kitchen, there's probably an island that will work for you.
6. Space is always a good thing in any room and one way to increase kitchen space while also improving storage is by adding shelves. They won’t take up as much room as upper cabinets, will make it convenient to store things, and will create the illusion that your kitchen is larger.
7. Gorgeous countertops can add flair to your kitchen. Granite countertops, for instance, will give your kitchen a focal point and create a sleek, modern look-and-feel.
8. If you haven’t bought new appliances for some time, you’ll be surprised at how much kitchen technology has improved. Modern appliances are not only far more attractive than what was available only a few short years ago, but far more energy-efficient, too. Your dishwasher will save more water and your range and microwave will give you perfect heat without the extra cost. All you need are a few black stainless-steel kitchen appliances to give your kitchen a futuristic appearance.
9. Convert unused areas of your kitchen into usable space. If your kitchen has an empty corner, you can convert it into a nook, a place for quick snacks or enjoying a cup of tea or coffee. Accessorizing nooks can be as simple as adding a bench and a few plump cushions.
10. It’s worth spending the money to create an eco-friendly floor that does not have toxic materials like formaldehyde. Although organic bamboo is actually a grass, it looks like wood and comes in attractive tiles.

In conclusion, think of these ten ideas as idea starters. It’s easy enough to get carried away and just focus on what looks good, but you’ll find it helpful to also consider the value of research, eco-awareness, and energy-saving appliances, among other things, when it comes to designing your dream kitchen.

guest post • cc-licensed image by Tom & Lauren