Are you looking to upgrade your space but have run out of kitchen renovation ideas? Do you want to know which big and small changes could make a world of difference to your home? If that’s the case, we have your back with our top 20 ideas for kitchen renovation in Calgary.

Today, we’ll break down what your kitchen remodel could look like and how simple changes can add a whole new level to your space. Without further ado, let’s take a look at our best ideas for your Calgary kitchen.

Top 15 Ideas for Kitchen Renovation in Calgary

If you love cooking or sharing meals with friends and family, your kitchen is the heart of your home. However, creating your perfect dream kitchen doesn’t come easily (and it usually doesn’t come cheap). 

That is why we’ve come up with our ultimate list of ideas that will make your kitchen functional and beautiful while increasing the value of your home. No matter your space, budget, or deadline, you’ll surely find a kitchen design you will love.

#1 Adding a Coffee or Tea Bar

If you love your caffeine and want a serene space to enjoy it, consider adding a coffee or tea bar to your kitchen. Having a coffee or tea bar will allow you to relish your morning rituals and might even inspire you to be more creative at home rather than going through a drive-through.

Depending on your current space, you can build out a bar in a nook area or consider adding somewhere close to your kitchen. You don’t need a lot of space to bring this idea to life, only a few well-organized shelves and maybe a few drawers. 

Then, all that’s left to do is fill up your bar with a high-quality coffee or tea maker, your favourite fixings, and your most beautiful mugs.

#2 Optimizing Storage

When it comes to your kitchen, you can never have too much storage. If you’re designing a custom kitchen from scratch, there’s so much you can do, including custom cabinetry, a new island, and added shelving.

However, if you’re just looking to renovate your kitchen and spruce it a bit, you might need to get a bit more creative. For example, you could add drawers underneath your banquette or seating area to hold some of your items.

Another kitchen storage idea could be adding thin floating shelves for spices and a few wider ones to hold your kitchen tools. On the other hand, if your kitchen wall is lined with windows, you might not have that option. Instead, you can consider lowering your cabinets and customizing your shelves to ensure more storage.

If you love to upcycle and have some room in your kitchen, repurpose an old storage unit for the space. You could use an old dresser or armoire to house all of your plates, glasses, and mugs.

If you’re struggling to figure out what to do for your kitchen renovation in Calgary and how to increase storage, get in touch with a renovation contractor like Kavaleer Renovations. We can help you explore all of your options and figure out what would work best for your space.

#3 Adding a Backsplash

While adding storage can be a big renovation project, even requiring a contractor, adding a backsplash is the perfect small idea to make you feel like you’re in a new kitchen. When it comes to your backsplash, the options are almost endless and depend on your aesthetics.

With a creative backsplash, like glass tiles, you can add a pop of personality to your space and bring dimension to a neutral space. However, if you prefer a cleaner and more modern look, you can consider quartz.

When it comes to choosing which backsplash you want to do, know your focal points and think about wear and tear. For example, ceramic is durable, budget-friendly, and easy to clean. On the other hand, you have glass or natural stone, which are beautiful but do require more maintenance.

Pro Tip: Consider using a magnetized material for your backsplash. That way, you can use it to store items and kitchen tools without having to add shelves or more cabinets.

#4 Painting Kitchen Cabinets

With a few basic DIY skills and a couple of tools, you can brighten your space with a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware. You would be surprised at what kind of wonders paint could do to an outdated kitchen.

If you’re looking for a clean and more modern look, consider neutral tones like greige, light gray, cream, or a shade of white. If you want something timeless but prefer having a darker kitchen, consider going with navy. However, for something a bit more adventurous and whimsical, look at light blue or sage green paints.

#5 Adding a Kitchen Island

A kitchen island can help you improve your storage, add seating to the space, and serve as a functional countertop. Adding an island to your Calgary kitchen renovation can streamline your flow, make it easier to move around, and help you fit all of your kitchen appliances and tools.

Adding a kitchen island is a pretty big kitchen and home renovation project, which is why you should approach it with some planning. First, choose the right materials, considering soapstone, wood, and marble. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks, so choose wisely.

You should account for clearances to help you determine how big or small you can go. Also, think about the shape you want to do, whether you need additional storage, and how the seating arrangement would look. If you’re looking for some ideas, check out the Kavaleer Renovations portfolio to get inspired.

#6 Making a Breakfast Nook

If you have a small kitchen space or want to create a special place to enjoy meals with your partner or family – consider building a seating or breakfast nook. Depending on your space, there are quite a few ways you can go about it.

You can start by building a corner seating fixture into the space you already have or consider getting a movable corner sectional. Once you have that in place, you’ll need to find a round table that snugly fits into the nook and you’ll have a brand-new area. In addition to it being a great area to enjoy meals, a seating nook is also perfect for smaller spaces or empty corners of your kitchen that you have no use for.

#7 Improving Flooring

Your floors could make or break your entire home, and changing them will have an incredible impact on your reno project. While it does increase your kitchen renovation cost, the overall transformation is sure to be worth your while.

Luckily, you’ll have countless choices available to you, ideal for every aesthetic and budget. To create a cohesive space, the flooring in the kitchen can be the same as in the rest of your home. However, if you want to switch it up and separate the rooms a bit, consider putting in tiles or vinyl.

#8 Installing Quartz or Granite Countertops

One of the biggest changes you could make to your kitchen renovation project is installing new countertops. Quartz and granite are both incredible choices as they’re pretty durable and add a fresh design element to your home.

When considering quartz or granite, think about how you’re using it, and which look you’re going for, and take in the advantages and disadvantages of both. 

For example, if you’re tough on your countertops, go with granite as it’s incredibly durable and doesn’t burn or scratch easily. However, if you really want marble but it’s out of your price range, go with quartz as it most closely resembles it.

#9 Improving Lighting

Lighting gives you the perfect opportunity to play around with design and your options here are virtually endless. While it’s true you should always incorporate task lighting into your kitchen, it doesn’t mean you should forgo some ambient options.

When it comes to lighting design, you should first consider leaning into your kitchen’s location and embracing the quirks of your home. Above your island or dining table, you could do some beautiful pendant lights and install recessed lights for when you’re entertaining. Also, consider adding cabinet lighting or surface-mounted lights to make the room more cheerful and bright.

#10 Creating an Accent Piece

Is there something that makes your kitchen unique? Do you have a special silverware or ceramic collection that you want to display? If so, you should embrace all the things that make your kitchen unique and create an accent piece for the space.

Of course, what you decide to make your accent piece is entirely up to you and no two pieces are alike. However, if it’s something you want to proudly display, consider installing open shelves that truly showcase your collection.

#11 Adding a Hidden Pantry

Earlier when we were talking about must-have kitchen makeover projects, we mentioned unique ways to incorporate storage. In addition to shelves, islands, and drawers, you could also consider a hidden pantry.

Similar to a coffee or tea bar, it often doesn’t take too much to get this kitchen renovation project together. When designing this space, think about the elements that can improve your usability of the space, like open shelves and custom cabinets. You could even do pocket doors to save a bit of space.

#12 Adding a Serving Window

If you love the idea of indoor/outdoor living, you should consider incorporating a serving window into your kitchen. It can make your space feel more open and airy while improving the overall functionality.

Most homeowners decide to connect their kitchen to the backyard or deck, but you can do what works for you. If you love hosting dinners outside and want your space to feel more inviting, a serving window is the way to go.

#13 Adding an Island Extension

One of the most effective ways to transform your kitchen is through an island extension. Particularly practical if you love cooking and entertaining, having an island extension or adding a table to the island is the perfect solution.

Through an extension or an extra table, you could also introduce a new colour or shape to your space. You could use it for storage or as a bar, with additional seating to tie it all together.

#14 Choosing the Right Appliances

When it comes to picking out the best appliances for your kitchen renovation in Calgary, there’ll be a lot to consider. One popular option nowadays is choosing smart appliances that you can control with your phone for added convenience.

Also, when looking to buy appliances and tools, look for models that are energy-efficient. Having energy-efficient fridges and ovens could help save you a lot of money in the long run. 

Finally, one of the top ideas to think about during the renovation process is disguising your appliances. With panelled appliances, you can combine form and function, making cleaning easier, and creating a better flow for the entire room.

#15 Painting the Ceiling

The ceiling is often an underappreciated part of the home, even though there are so many things you could do to bring it to life. For your kitchen renovation, you can paint it a contrasting colour to the walls and cabinets. If you want a more rustic look and feel, you can even add beams, wood planks, or applied coffers.

To add more storage to your space without bringing in more cabinets, consider doing a dropdown ceiling. You could also use all of that space, which is typically empty, to hang fruit, plants, lights, and decorations.

Work With the Best Contractor for Your Custom Kitchen Renovation in Calgary

Specializing in custom and luxury kitchen renovation in Calgary, Alberta, Kavaleer Renovations is your perfect partner for this project. With years of experience and state-of-the-art tools, we can bring any idea to life, ensuring you have the best kitchen that fits your needs precisely.

Our renovation team will help you with the entire process from start to finish. Whether you already know exactly how your space is going to look or want fresh ideas to improve your home, we can help.

Get in touch with us today or request a consultation and let us handle your kitchen renovation in Calgary!