9 Proven Kitchen Remodel Ideas
In this guide, you’ll find practical kitchen remodel ideas for every budget level, with clear tips to help you choose where to invest for the biggest impact.
The Appraisal Institute of Canada has long cited kitchens as one of the top renovations for return on investment. But not every kitchen or budget calls for the same approach. Some homes benefit most from a focused refresh, like new hardware, lighting, or a better backsplash. Others need a full redesign to improve storage, layout, or overall quality. The right plan depends on how you use the space, how long you plan to stay, and which updates will move the needle for resale.
Before you jump into your project, consider which renovation ideas would have the most impact in your home. Here’s how to decide which kitchen reno ideas to focus on, with information backed by industry knowledge or proven through our experience as a Canadian cabinet manufacturer.
1. Cabinets: The #1 Proven Kitchen Remodel Idea for Long-Term Investment
Cabinets shape the look, function, and long-term value of your kitchen. This is why cabinetry ranks #1 out of all the kitchen remodel ideas homeowners should prioritize.
Across the industry, experts agree that cabinetry drives the biggest impact on design and resale. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, cabinets account for 25–35% of a kitchen remodel budget, more than any other element. They define the layout, storage, and feel of your kitchen, which influences how potential buyers see your home.
Why Cabinets Make Such a Difference
Whether you refinish, replace, or design new custom cabinetry, it changes everything. From style to storage to resale perception.
Why they matter most:
They dominate the visual space of the kitchen
They define workflow and organization
They influence resale more than any other single feature
Even small updates, like new doors, drawer fronts, and hardware, can modernize a space quickly. But for lasting value, full custom cabinetry delivers the durability, function, and long-term confidence homeowners want. Which is why this was our top choice out of all the kitchen remodel ideas. (And because cabinets are what we do.)
Why Custom Cabinetry Is a Long-Term Investment
Durability: Custom cabinets are built to last 25–40 years, compared to 10–15 years for lower-grade or refaced cabinets. That lifespan translates into long-term savings and fewer replacements.
Design flexibility: Custom work allows full control of layout, finish, and function. Homeowners can improve flow, maximize storage, and add integrated lighting or built-ins. These upgrades truly modernize a kitchen.
Perceived quality: Buyers recognize the difference. In higher-end markets, “custom” cabinetry signals quality and craftsmanship. It often leads to faster sales and stronger offers.
Lifestyle value: For homeowners staying long-term, high-quality cabinets are about everyday function and not just resale. They affect how you use your kitchen every day.
2. Do a "Minor" Kitchen Refresh (Remodel Idea with the Highest ROI)
According to this 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a minor kitchen remodel delivers an average 113% ROI, with a typical job cost of around $28,500 and a resale value of $32,100. If you are handy, this is one of the kitchen remodel ideas that are easier to DIY!
This works well for kitchens that are still in good condition, but need a quick update to look current. Outdated kitchens can be saved with a minor renovation, worn out kitchens may need a full renovation. Keep your existing layout and cabinet boxes, but update the surfaces that make the biggest impact.
Here’s how to determine if your cabinets need replacing.
Our Zonavita line of cabinets can be refaced, keeping the original boxes. So if you need a full reno now, when it comes time to refresh the kitchen for resale, you can easily update the look.
3. Swap Dated or Damaged Counters for Quartz or Quartzite
Countertops are one of the first features buyers notice. Replacing laminate or heavily patterned stone with quartz or quartzite instantly updates the kitchen’s style and increases perceived value.
Engineered stone is the top-rated material among design professionals for its durability, easy maintenance, and timeless appearance. Quartz is consistent in color, requires minimal upkeep, and has excellent scratch and stain resistance. This one change can make an older kitchen feel new without a complete overhaul.
4. Add or Update a Kitchen Island (Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Opening a Space)
A kitchen island remains one of the most desired features in home listings today. It adds workspace, storage, and casual seating, which are features buyers look for when touring kitchens.
Increasing available countertop space is a great way to increase the ROI on your kitchen renovation. So if your space allows, adding a new island or expanding an undersized one can completely change your kitchen. Even a compact island with drawers and a prep surface adds utility and visual interest.
In open layouts, an island helps define the space between the kitchen and living areas while making the room feel more connected.
Optimally, you should try to accomodate the widest island possible (that your home can comfortably fit). A smaller island is better than no island, but some may regret not choosing a full-size or deep island.
5. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient, Panel-Ready, or Fingerprint-Resistant Appliances
Appliances are one of the easiest ways to modernize your kitchen and they directly impact resale value. Upgrading to energy-efficient, fingerprint-resistant, or panel-ready models adds functionality while giving your kitchen a cohesive, polished look.
Energy-efficient models are especially appealing to buyers who want lower monthly costs and updated technology. According to Zonda’s 2025 report, replacing key appliances such as the range and refrigerator is part of every high-performing kitchen remodel because of the immediate visual and functional payoff.
Here’s our simple cabinetry guide for built-in and integrated appliances.
6. Install a Modern, Easy-Clean Backsplash
The right backsplash can pull your whole kitchen design together. Today’s trends favor stone or quartz slab backsplashes and large-format tile over intricate mosaics. These seamless materials are easier to clean and reflect light beautifully.
Updating a backsplash is a cost-effective project that instantly refreshes the space. When paired with new counters or cabinets, it helps the kitchen read as brand new without the need for a full renovation.
Kitchen Remodel Ideas for a Backsplash
Some trends for backsplashes right now are Zellige Tile and white backsplashes with wood cabinets. Here are 52 ideas for backsplashes for your home! You can’t go wrong with something simple and clean.
7. Refresh Floors with Durable, Buyer-Friendly Materials
Flooring ties the kitchen to adjacent spaces and connects the whole main floor. It’s an important choice, so you will want to research which types of flooring increase your home’s value the most.
Hardwood flooring continues to be the top choice for home buyers. Homelight.com has a great table to see how hardwoods compare in cost and ROI against alternative materials.
Engineered hardwood and high-quality luxury vinyl plank (LVP) continue to dominate for their durability, water resistance, and realistic wood look – at a great price. Don’t cross vinyl flooring off your shopping list quite yet, luxury vinyl flooring is changing the game for open concept spaces.
Wide-plank formats and warm neutral tones (like white oak) create a timeless, connected aesthetic that buyers love. Replacing outdated tile or worn-out laminate with cohesive flooring helps the kitchen flow naturally into dining and living areas, which is even more important for open concept homes.
8. Fix Lighting with Windows, Integrated Cabinet Lighting, or Layered Lighting.
Lighting can completely change how your kitchen looks, it can make or break your kitchen renovation. Small kitchens will feel even more cramped with poor lighting, and will even make the largest spaces look cold. If your space feels dark or shadowed, improving lighting design should be at the top of your remodel list.
Start with natural light if possible. Adding a skylight, adding a window, or enlarging a window instantly brightens the space and makes colors and finishes appear more true to tone. Then layer in ceiling lights, under-cabinet task lighting, and statement pendants to balance ambience and function.
For an even more modern look, consider integrated cabinet lighting. Subtle LED strips along toe kicks, shelving, or inside glass cabinets add both practicality and polish. Take your kitchen to the next level of luxury with drawer lighting which illuminates when opened.
Kitchen Remodel Ideas for a Layered Lighting
In your kitchen, different light sources will provide lighting for different purposes. From task lighting above your workspaces to accent lighting that highlights features, the right setup makes all the difference.
There are two main types of under cabinet lighting: puck and strip lights. For more information read this quick guide.
9. Upgrade Ventilation with a Professional-Grade Range Hood
Proper ventilation is one of the most overlooked upgrades in kitchen remodels, yet it makes a major difference in both performance and home value. A professional-grade range hood improves air quality, protects cabinets and finishes from heat and grease, and creates a focal point that feels custom-built.
Kitchenaid says “Adding a range hood if you don’t already have one can be a great kitchen upgrade, helping to make your kitchen more inviting as you cook, or adding a bold style statement with a canopy hood.”
Beyond practicality, a well-designed hood, especially when integrated into cabinetry or finished in matching materials, adds a sense of craftsmanship that buyers notice. In the projects we see from our network of designers, a custom or statement range hood is in nearly all of them.
Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Range Hoods
Wood statement range hoods are by far the most common, at least in Decor kitchens, followed by metal or black range hoods. We have also seen a bright blue hood, so there are many options to choose from if you want a high impact design.
Remember to Match Your Kitchen Remodel Ideas to Your Market
The best kitchen remodel ideas align with your home’s value and your long-term plans.
In starter homes, aim for efficient updates that modernize without over-investing.
In mid-range homes, full cabinetry replacement offers the right balance between function and return.
In premium homes, full custom cabinetry ensures the kitchen meets buyer expectations and protects long-term value.
