Kitchen design ideas to completely remodel your space

Last Updated on 29. November 2025 by Noremax

Home is the space where we want to feel at our best. Therefore, it is important to keep the rooms updated to our lifestyle and general functionality needs. The kitchen is the place where we spend a lot of our free time, so it might be a good idea to revitalise its appearance once in a while.

The best solutions don’t have to come with a big expense and effort. Sometimes the simplest methods can bring out the quality of our interior. Remodelling may consist of simple tricks and kitchen design ideas which we present you below, choosing the most interesting of them. Read the article to find out about effective ways to completely remodel your room!

Tile it up

And we do not necessarily mean the floor. Covering up the walls with white or black tiles has been one of the most popular trends lately. What’s important is that you don’t need to tile up the whole room. The best option is to cover just your hood in contrast to the other painted walls. White rectangular tiles go well with light indigo in the other part of a kitchen – and many more shades, which you can discover for yourself.

Below you can see the appliance assert complemented by the white tiles above. The cabinets are designed with bespoke IKEA kitchen doors that are fully customised by our fronts.

Kitchen design ideas – A bit of this, a bit of that

Who needs boring kitchen design ideas? This place is meant to be busy and in a good way! Don’t be afraid to mix up many textures and colours, because, in the end, it can actually bring a balance to the whole room. One way of achieving this is what you can see in the visualisation below is to simply use this kind of kitchen design ideas:

1. Put grey (or different dark colour) on the walls to create a contrast with light furniture.
2. Add up metallic kitchen appliances, both silver and brass to warm up the look a little bit
3. Finish up by putting some wood – or if you’re lucky, you already own a wooden floor to create a complete look.

It doesn’t look too packed and even brings a sense of calm and friendly space. Remember, a balance consists of many components!

In the picture, you can see the furniture created with IKEA cabinet doors in Metod Classic style.

Textures on the walls

We mentioned tiling up your wall a little. Now it’s time to think bigger! What if you could apply different textures on your walls? There are several ways to vamp up your decor a little by using crazy wallpapers or wall panels. You may choose rustic flower patterns or modern and minimalist wood: you’re only limited by your vision. And how about photo wallpaper? It may seem like a risky idea but the worst thing that could happen is that you’ll have to take it down and repaint your kitchen. To a new exciting colour, of course! You can check some more colourful kitchen design ideas online to help you out.

Now check our visualisation: flower pattern on the wall and black cabinets designed with replaceable IKEA kitchen fronts (Faktum Basic style).

Kitchen design ideas – Glass illusion

Mirroring surfaces is what can bring magic to your rooms. And quite literally, because by applying glossy countertops or mirrors on the wall you can actually make your room look bigger. The first thing to start with is to choose the best illumination. May it be your big window or the proper set of lighting: the more the light in your room, the better. When it comes to your kitchen, it may be a good idea to choose the countertops made of smooth stone that reflects the light. Stainless steel is also a good friend of a kitchen, that wants to reflect as much light as possible. You may even experiment with the stone and mirrors on the wall, as long as it doesn’t overwhelm the other parts of the room.

Below we present our take on a glossy kitchen design idea. The smooth dark stone countertops create depth for the kitchen designed mostly in light colours. The cabinets are designed with the IKEA Metod doors (Instyle).

50 shades of… one colour

Do you have a favourite colour in mind for your kitchen? Well, who said that you can only use it in one configuration? Applying several shades of the same colour is a smart way to create a wonderful depth in your kitchen. What’s more, a palette of one colour can give it a calm and organised look. It can also be a space to create an interesting contrast and any wood or brass accents are more than welcome.

Below: Blue has many shades as you can see on this picture. Indigo, navy and berry are the most dominant ones that are complemented by the light-coloured wooden panels on the floor. Black kitchen appliances add up to the balanced and interesting look. The cabinets are designed with Metod Elegance style.

Modern retro

The big comeback of retro styles is a dominant trend nowadays. May it be rustic, traditional Nordic or previous centuries designs, they are welcome in our houses. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot get creative with all of them. How? As simple as you can: Mix them all in moderate proportions. For example, if you enjoy Nordic styles, be sure to arrange your space with a lot of wood and simple patterns that create a calm and minimalist look. Now it’s time to create a little bit of contrast. A wonderful purple curtain might give your room a more classy, luxurious look right from the XIX century. Then, to make sure that your room is inviting and comfy enough, add some golden brass accents, that will bring a bit of rustic style to your home.

The effect is astounding because you take a little bit of everything to create a space that is truly yours. It is retro and modern at the same time, and it’s looking better than ever before.

Below you can see our interpretation of the room described above. The cabinets were designed with Metod Nordic+ style.

Creative accents

Some objects might seem plain or just weird when you observe them out of context. But when put in the right interior project, they give a whole new touch to it. May it is a ceiling lamp designed in a crazy shape or decorative kitchen dishes in vibrant colours: those are the accents that make your kitchen special. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the extravagant assets because that’s the way to learn your true style. Put some rare plants on the windowsill, decorate walls with ethnic art and simply go wild! There is no wrong way to do it and below you can see one of the possibilities.

Note: The cabinets are designed with the Metod Bamboo+ style.

All kinds of crazy

Most of our kitchen design ideas encourage you to do things boldly, but now we want to put an extra emphasis on it.

Do you want to go crazy with a colour on your kitchen wall? Wrong. Go crazy with the colours in all parts of your kitchen. Mix pink with yellow and add the emerald stone sink. With a golden tap. Do you think this is going to look cheap? You might be surprised what luxe and extravaganza effect you might achieve just by combining all different colours.

It also applies to textures. We mentioned stone sink and golden tap, but think bigger than that. Make your walls painted, covered in wallpaper or even mix those techniques both! Cover the floor in pink tiles (to match the walls), then add a patterned rug.

It may all sound risky up to the point when you try this on. Let your artistic soul out and remember that you can learn your style simply by experimenting.

Below you can see our bold take on the description suggested above. The cabinets are designed with Metod Ontime style.

We made an effort to present the most interesting kitchen design ideas that you may try in your home. Not all of them come with a big expense because we believe that the best solutions might also be the simple ones.

Here at Noremax, you may let your imagination loose and just experiment with your project. You can find a wide range of fronts styles for your old IKEA kitchen cabinets and islands. You can adjust their colour, size and what’s more, we also offer many kitchen handles and knobs.

In that way, you can be sure to go bold with your project and create a design to truly fit your needs and desires.

Functional zoning & smart layouts in modern kitchens

When exploring kitchen design ideas that can truly transform a space, functional zoning remains one of the most effective and timeless strategies. Modern kitchens must perform multiple roles: cooking, entertaining, storage, food preparation and often working-from-home tasks. To support these needs, contemporary designers focus on creating clear, intuitive zones that allow the kitchen to operate efficiently regardless of its size. This approach is especially valuable in compact layouts, where every centimetre must work with intention.

At the core of zoning is the strategic separation of three key areas: the preparation zone, the cooking zone and the storage zone. This concept, known as the “work triangle”, ensures that the hob, sink and refrigerator are placed within comfortable reach of one another. Although modern interiors often depart from the classic triangle in favour of island layouts or linear arrangements, the principle remains the same — movement must feel natural and uninterrupted. Good kitchen design ideas prioritise circulation patterns, ensuring there is enough clearance around cabinets, appliances and walkways to prevent overcrowding.

Micro-zoning is another increasingly popular trend, particularly in smaller homes. Instead of relying solely on large, fixed divisions, micro-zones create purposeful pockets for specific tasks: a coffee station with dedicated storage, a baking corner with ingredient drawers or a narrow prep area with integrated LED lighting. These solutions help distribute everyday tasks more evenly across the kitchen, preventing the central worktop from becoming overloaded.

Material selection also plays a role in defining functional zones. For example, a darker countertop near the cooking area visually separates it from lighter prep surfaces. Tall cabinets with uniform, clean-lined fronts — such as customised IKEA Metod doors or PAX-style panels — help conceal storage and introduce architectural structure. Thoughtful use of contrast, texture and lighting reinforces the organisation of the space, making even a busy kitchen feel calm and easy to navigate.

Ultimately, functional zoning transforms kitchen design ideas from decorative concepts into practical, long-lasting solutions. By understanding the way you move, cook and interact with the space, the kitchen becomes not just visually appealing but genuinely enjoyable to use every day.

Material selection & long-term durability

Among all kitchen design ideas, material selection is one of the most critical factors influencing both aesthetics and long-term performance. A kitchen is exposed to moisture, heat, daily contact, chemical cleaners and constant movement. Because of this, choosing durable finishes is essential not only for maintaining the visual quality of the room but also for ensuring that the interior withstands years of use without losing its character. Modern homeowners prefer solutions that balance beauty, resilience and easy maintenance — an approach fully reflected in contemporary Scandinavian and Nordic design principles.

One of the most reliable choices for cabinetry is MDF finished with high-quality paint or lacquer. Smooth, stable and resistant to warping, MDF provides an excellent base for both matte and glossy finishes. Matte lacquers are particularly favoured today for their soft, elegant appearance and resistance to fingerprints. Glossy lacquers, on the other hand, complement kitchen design ideas where light reflection and visual expansion are desired. For a more tactile finish, natural wood veneers offer warmth and authenticity while maintaining durability through protective varnishes.

Countertops play an equally important role. Quartz composite, sintered stone and high-pressure laminate remain among the most practical choices. These materials resist stains, scratches and temperature fluctuations, making them ideal for busy kitchens. Polished stone or stainless steel countertops support reflective-based kitchen design ideas, enhancing brightness and pairing beautifully with modern cabinetry. In contrast, honed or textured finishes bring depth and visual calm to monochromatic schemes.

Handles and hardware should not be overlooked. Brass, black steel and brushed nickel complement different design languages while maintaining structural integrity even with daily use. Integrated LED lighting under cabinets or inside drawers further enhances durability by improving usability and protecting surfaces from unnecessary strain or accidental damage.

A major advantage of Noremax’s approach is the ability to remodel the kitchen by replacing only the fronts rather than the entire cabinet structure. This solution significantly extends the functional lifespan of the kitchen, reduces renovation costs and supports sustainable design practices. By choosing carefully considered materials and finishes, your kitchen design ideas evolve from temporary trends into a long-term investment — aesthetically consistent, robust and perfectly aligned with your lifestyle.

Visit our store and start decorating now!