I’m no kitchen designer, but since we have tackled more than a couple kitchens DIY style, this Kitchen Redesign Checklist will spotlight pretty elements you could include. Drawing from smart kitchen project ideas featured in stories on Hello Lovely, these may help with plans to remodel, upgrade, or build. It is obviously a wise move to work with a kitchen designer unless you are an expert DIYer. Hopefully these ideas will enlighten and help you to crystalize your thoughts about design must haves. Pin to save ideas on a Pinterest board like mine for future reference!

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Kitchen Redesign Checklist & Pretty Refresh Ideas
Could your kitchen benefit from a spruce up or a minor refresh? These design details may even help with that too.


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Pretty Sconces for Ambient Lighting
I love this so much, and I know it’s not the easiest thing to wire your walls or cabinets for sconces in an existing kitchen! But if you are starting from scratch, isn’t this charming?
Butcher Block for Countertops
If this fantasy kitchen (it’s an architect’s own home!) with its own authentic pizza oven can sport butcher block on a work station, ours can too!
Whether you choose to add butcher block to a countertop or add an actual block, it truly makes a warm rustic statement.

Vintage ones are everywhere – don’t forget FB Marketplace!

Tonal Color Story
If you’re the type who feels rooms always need “a pop” of color, than this restrained palette may not be for you.

But if your heart longs for low contrast, understated sophistication, textural interest, and a mix of whites and neutrals, a tonal palette could be just the ticket.

Even if you decide on a tone on tone kitchen, there are countless iterations as you can see!


Built-ins & Banquettes
Such a wonderful architectural element to add if it makes sense!

Here is a fantasy example that feels like its own private dining room:
Kitchen banquette seating often involves a window or a bank of them…

so what if you don’t have a window in your corner?

There may still be potential:


Were I building a dream house, here’s an idea that would be incredible in a tucked away little nook:

Chic Parisian Shelves
If you decide to add shelves to your kitchen design (bracketed, floating, glass, wood…), they may as well be gorgeous.
They can be custom with brass and glass:

or minimal yet chunky:

chunky is maybe more rugged than chic, but with a range like the one above – the shelves need not try to compete!
Like the idea of the clear glass shelves above? I also found THESE with antique brass.

Skirted Sink Base
I had always dreamed of adding a linen skirt to a farm sink and finally did!

See it here. While my kitchen isn’t nearly as dreamy as the one Brooke Giannetti created for Patina Farm:
it includes a few of my favorite pretty kitchen details.
Black Window Trim
I love this feature in so many white kitchens with brass hardware, and while it might seem scary – it’s only paint!

So handsome!


I think what makes black trim attractive is how it suggests iron. After all, if you can somehow work steel doors and windows into your design…

Vintage Ironstone Accents
So collectible! Hardworking and looks great everywhere.

Don’t you love the pieces that show their age? I don’t even mind chips and imperfections.

Custom Cabinet & Counter Depth
This Paris kitchen is a wee one in an apartment near Notre Dame we booked through Your Haven In. Style and function packed into a sleek, modern kitchen design even includes a washer and dryer tucked beneath the cooktop!
Who says base cabinets must be 24″ deep?

Tour This Inspiring French Kitchen!
Hope you found a bright idea or 7 for your own kitchen redesign or tweak!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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