Hello! Many of my clients’ homes were built in the early 2000s when the Tuscan era was all the rage. Therefore, I get a lot of clients asking me to how to modernize a traditional kitchen.

Most kitchens from that time were a variety of stained wood tones with granite of a wide range of fall colors. There is nothing wrong with that, of course, however, I find my clients have tired of the Tuscan era. They want something fresh, light and bright.

HOW TO MODERNIZE A TRADITIONAL KITCHEN

If you’re looking to update your kitchen but not ready for a full remodel then keep reading.

Painting the Cabinets

An Inspiring Home

Definitely the number one way to modernize your traditional kitchen is with paint. Take a look at my client’s kitchen before. It was dark, and heavy feeling. They wanted light, bright and contemporary. Painting the cabinets made the biggest difference. We even kept the black granite. 

What a difference! Other changes included painting the walls, changing out the backsplash, and adding new pendant lighting. Here’s another before and after.

Here’s another client’s kitchen where we painted the cabinets.  This project is still in-progress, but you can clearly see how we’ve brought it up-to-date already. In this project we are also updating the granite as well as the backsplash. I can’t wait to show you the final reveal soon. Here's where it started.

The cabinets were painted next and new pendant lighting installed.

New granite soon followed! Notice the difference paint makes.

The final pieces added: subway tile backsplash and hardware. We beefed up the island by adding trim to match the cabinet doors. The kitchen footprint remains the same. Light and bright but still homey!

Need assistance choosing a paint color for you cabinets? Read My favorite white paint colors for a classic and timeless kitchen for some tips and inspiration.

If you’re not up for painting your cabinets, there are a number of other things you can do to modernize your traditional kitchen.

Update Your Backsplash or Countertops

I’ve seen many kitchens where the granite is competing with the backsplash. What I mean is there is a lot of pattern or color in both materials. If this is the case, I recommend toning it down for a more modern look. If your granite has a lot of spottiness, then consider changing it out to a solid color. 

Solid white countertops and simple subway tile gives this traditional kitchen a fresh look.

Maison & Demeure

For a more budget-friendly option, update the backsplash to something like a simple yet classic subway tile. This will update your kitchen and let your granite take center stage. Doing either or both of these will tone down the pattern and modernize your kitchen.

Stephanie Kraus Designs

Also, if you have a piece of 4” granite backsplash in your kitchen, listen up. I highly recommend getting rid of that and installing a full backsplash to fill the space from the counters to the cabinetry. You can find a wide variety of backsplash tiles or other materials. Find what you like and install it properly.

Lighting

Lighting can definitely date a traditional kitchen, but read carefully. If you have a very traditional kitchen, and you’re only updating the lighting, you can’t just stick a contemporary light fixture in there.  It still needs to fit the style of your kitchen. Lantern style pendants are a great choice above your island as work beautifully with most styles.

You'll definitely want to check out The Ultimate Guide to Pendant Lighting for Your Kitchen to learn the right size and dimensions for pendants over the island.

C. Walker Designs

If you’re unsure of your style or what will work best in your kitchen, then talk to a designer. Have you read the value of hiring an interior designer? For one, they can save you time and money on these decisions.

Hardware

A quick and easy and very budget-friendly way to update your traditional kitchen is to swap out the hardware. Once again there are so many options. Again, make sure it fits with the style and other finishes in your kitchen. You can mix metals too, they just need to play together nicely.

Elizabeth Lawson Design

Shopping for kitchen hardware or lighting? You can find my recommendations in 5 easy ways to update your kitchen now.

Extend the Cabinets

Carla Aston

Finally, if your kitchen has short upper cabinets, consider extending them up to the ceiling. You can find a good handyman to do this. Not only will this eliminate the dust problem up there, but your kitchen will feel larger. By extending the cabinets, the emphasis is placed on the vertical. So, if you have shorter ceilings, your kitchen will appear taller.

If you’re not able to do a full kitchen remodel but want an updated look, then consider these ways for how to modernize a traditional kitchen. You will be amazed at the difference even one change will make.

Need an update, but not sure where to start? Take a look at my design services, and let me help you design a space you’ll love. I love helping my clients feel at home!

PIN IT!