The kitchen is the heart of your home, and you likely spend a lot of time there cooking and gathering yummy recipes. Deciding how to modernize your kitchen will leave you with a space you feel comfortable in – and one that you truly enjoy. It also brings some greater amenities to it and an increased home value as well.

There are many steps you can take to modernize your kitchen. Take one, take them all – it’s up to you. Find what works and create a kitchen you will love to spend time in.

Check out these eight steps on how to modernize your kitchen.

1. Look at the Bigger Perspective

Before deciding the steps you will take to revamp your kitchen, take a look at your kitchen as a whole. What is it that you genuinely like about the space? What is it that absolutely needs to go? What would you like to see changed? What colors or textures do you see in your modern kitchen?

It doesn’t matter how much time you spend in the kitchen, there is a good chance you never think about it from a modernizing perspective while you are making your infamous chicken cacciatore recipe. So take some time to sit back and look at your kitchen. Try to visualize the kitchen you want and the changes you’d need to make to create the look.

If you aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got some ideas.

2. Change Your Flooring

Changing your flooring may not seem like it is too high on the to-do list when it comes to modernizing your kitchen, but the floor can make a huge difference. When you walk into a room, your eyes may not be pointed to the ground, but the floor lifts them up even further.

Kitchens drab with an old vinyl or linoleum flooring, for instance, should have been left decades ago. Wood floors, tile, stone – anything like this is more timeless and much more modern. These will last longer, will totally transform the space, and will increase the value of your home.

3. Switch to Stainless Steel Appliances

Another modern and timeless addition to your kitchen is stainless steel appliances. Your refrigerator, range, cooktop, dishwasher, range hood, and more can all be swapped out for stainless steel appliances. Not only are they bright, classy, and elegant, but they are also very durable, dependable, and energy-efficient.

When you invest in a stainless steel appliance suite, you have beautifully matching appliances that can instantly modernize your kitchen. In fact, it may be all you need to transform the space and boost the modern feel.

Stainless steel appliances by Thor Kitchen can give you pro-style durability. They are easy to maintain and keep clean – and they also allow you to reduce your carbon footprint. In other words, they are a great step in the right direction on so many levels.

4. Create an Open Space Up High

You know those cupboards way up high that you can’t ever reach? Why not get rid of them and free up the space? These old, small, barely-usable cabinets are outdated. But you can bring them to life and add some modern flair to your kitchen by removing them altogether. Depending on the cabinets, you may be able to just remove the doors, sand them down, and repaint them. Or, remove them entirely and replace them with new open shelving with strip lighting.

Simply having an open space up high can open up the kitchen and make it look more modern.

5. Paint Your Cabinetry

If your kitchen cabinets are outdated and really putting a damper on the modern look you are going for, paint can work wonders. It helps to create a new space from an old one in order to give your kitchen a modern feel. There is no need to take it out and replace it – just paint it.

What color? That’s entirely up to you, but for a modern look, you may want to consider shades of white, blue, or even black. You won’t even recognize them when you are done.

6. Modernize Your Countertops

If your kitchen is very old, then there is a good chance it probably has outdated countertops, too. This can really kill the space when you are trying to give your kitchen a modern makeover. They make up a large portion of the kitchen, and they are very visible.

Consider looking into options to upgrade your countertops. This may include natural stone, marble, granite, resin, and more. Some are more costly than others, of course, but there is a countertop for every budget. Plus, when you think about the value it is adding to your home, the purchase just makes sense.

7. Add Unique Lighting

Lighting is usually an afterthought in kitchens, but it shouldn’t be. You need to see when cooking – so you need something bright. Does that mean it can be an unsightly option as long as it’s bright? No way.

Invest in new lighting options. Consider something unique that will give you versatility and ambiance. You may even find a lighting source that acts as a centerpiece in the kitchen. Recessed lighting, pendant lighting, and illumination under the cabinets are all part of modern lighting sources.

8. Small Touches With Big Impact

Finally, there are some small touches you can add to your kitchen that will make a big impact. This could be a pop in color, such as with a picture or a vase. Or, a colorful backsplash that will stand out. It may even be in the canisters or utensil holders you use. Greenery, whether plants or herbs, also give the space a bit of a more modern look. Display an heirloom, light up your wine collection in a wine cooler, or remove curtains and let the outdoors shine in.

All of these ideas – the small touches, stainless steel appliances, and all the other ideas listed above – will transform a kitchen space into an upgraded modern version of itself that you are sure to love.

Shop THOR Kitchen

Find the perfect stainless steel appliances when you shop at THOR Kitchen. Try our Builder and Designer program today to create your dream kitchen today!