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This list is for anyone starting from scratch, whether you’re a first-time renter or a homeowner tackling a slow weekend project.
It’s also for the last-minute planners who want a fix before guests show up, lol! No fancy tools required for most of these.
I scrolled through hundreds of pins to put this together. Only the doable ones made the cut, plus a few that just looked too good to leave out.
Some of these are full renovations. Others are a can of paint and an afternoon. Either way, isn’t there something here for every budget?
Below each idea you’ll find the little details that actually matter, like paint colors, hardware and where to find the pieces.
Grab a coffee and scroll through. You might end up redoing your whole kitchen by the end of this, haha!
KITCHEN DOOR IDEAS
Sliding Barn Door Kitchen
We’re starting off strong with a sliding barn door for the kitchen entrance. It saves floor space and looks rustic without trying too hard.
She swears she will never go back to a swinging door, haha! I keep telling her that’s exactly what everyone says right before they knock a hole in the wall. That hole patch job is still not finished, by the way.
- Space saver champion
- Track mounts right above the frame
- Reclaimed wood gives it character
Glass Paneled French Doors
Glass paneled French doors let light pour straight through into the kitchen. It’s the move if your kitchen sits a little dark.
I almost went with solid doors in my own place. Now I regret nothing about changing my mind! Frosted panels work too if you want privacy without losing the glow.
- Light lover’s pick
- Fits standard door frames
- Frosted film option for privacy
Bright Yellow Kitchen Door
How cute is this bright yellow kitchen door? Such a small change, yet it does something to the whole entryway.
She still gets compliments constantly. Honestly I am a little jealous!
- Sunshine on a budget
- One quart covers most doors
- Semi-gloss holds up to fingerprints
Dutch Door Kitchen Entrance
Dutch doors split in half so you can keep the top open while the bottom stays shut. Perfect for kitchens near a yard or a nosy pet.
This one lets in a breeze without letting in chaos. Not a bad trade if you ask me! The hinges cost about fifteen dollars at any hardware store.
- Half open, all charm
- Works great with a screen insert
- Farmhouse hardware kit included
Black Framed Kitchen Door
Black framed doors bring a little drama to an otherwise plain kitchen wall. The contrast against white cabinets is no joke.
This is the door I’d pick if I wanted the kitchen to feel like a design magazine spread. Talk about talent!
- Moody and modern
- Matte black paint hides smudges
- Pairs well with brass handles
Open Plan Kitchen Diner
An open plan layout turns the kitchen and dining space into one big room. Some of the best kitchen diner ideas start with just knocking down a wall.
It sounds intimidating but the payoff is huge. I watched her holiday gathering fit twenty people with room to spare. Suddenly the wall nobody misses is the whole point, am I right?
- The wall that had to go
- Load bearing check comes first
- Pendant lights define the zones
Round Table Kitchen Diner
A round table changes the whole feel of a diner space. Nobody sits at the awkward corner seat, which is a win in my book!
It also just fits more people than you’d expect. Squeeze one more chair in and nobody complains. Six people around a forty-eight inch round is snug but doable.
Bench Seating Kitchen Diner
Bench seating along one wall of the diner area is such a smart use of space. It tucks in tighter than chairs ever could. My kitchen bench somehow became the dog’s favorite napping spot.
Nobody in this house gets it back at dinner time, lol!
- Tucked in tight
- Storage hides under the seat
- Cushions in washable fabric
Kitchen Island With Barstools
A kitchen island with barstools might be the easiest way to squeeze in casual seating. It’s one of the classic eat in kitchen ideas that never really goes out of style. Three stools tucked under an overhang and suddenly breakfast has a spot!
He uses it every single day now, which honestly shocked all of us. Who doesn’t love that?
- Breakfast bar energy
- Stools tuck fully underneath
- Overhang needs about a foot
Windowsill Herb Garden Jars
Aww, how sweet are these little herb jars lined up on the windowsill? Basil, mint and thyme all within arm’s reach of the stove.
My own herb jars died within a month, no joke! It is one of those small kitchen garden ideas that actually gets used every day, if you are better at plants than I am.
- Snip and cook
- Mason jars work great here
- Rotate weekly for even sun
Raised Bed Vegetable Garden
A raised bed just outside the kitchen door makes grabbing dinner ingredients way easier. Tomatoes, peppers, whatever grows in your zone.
This one takes a weekend to build. It pays off all summer long, unless you count the arguments over whose turn it is to weed, lol!
- Dinner steps away
- Cedar boards resist rot longest
- Fill with a soil and compost mix
Checkerboard Vinyl Kitchen Floor
A checkerboard floor is bold, retro and somehow never actually goes out of style. It’s one of those kitchen flooring ideas that photographs beautifully every time.
Vinyl makes it budget friendly, which matters since real tile in this pattern gets pricey fast. She still brings up the quote like it personally wronged her, lol!
- Retro but timeless
- Peel and stick tiles simplify install
- Black and white is the classic combo
Herringbone Wood Kitchen Floor
Herringbone wood flooring adds movement to a kitchen without adding any color. The zigzag pattern is oddly satisfying to look at, isn’t it?
My contractor warned me this takes twice as long as regular planks. It’s a bigger project than most on this list, fair warning! Worth it though if you’re doing a full renovation anyway.
- Zigzag done right
- Engineered wood handles moisture better
- Plan the pattern before the first plank
Open Shelving Farmhouse Kitchen
Open shelving is basically the calling card of farmhouse kitchen ideas at this point. Stack the plates, prop a few cutting boards and call it decorating!
My shelves keep me honest since every mismatched mug is on full display. This one forces you to keep things tidy. No shame in that.
- Nowhere to hide clutter
- Reclaimed boards add instant character
- Brackets in black iron look sharp
Farmhouse Sink With Apron
A farmhouse sink with an exposed apron front is such a classic look. It’s deep enough to handle actual dishes too, not just decoration. My old sink barely fit a stockpot, so this upgrade felt personal!
Dishes pile up less now, somehow. I genuinely think the sink is doing more work than I am, haha!
- Deep and practical
- Fireclay resists chips well
- Apron front needs custom cabinets
Hanging Copper Pot Rack
A hanging copper pot rack fills an empty wall and actually earns its spot. My pans finally have a home that is not the bottom cabinet. This one solves two problems at once, storage and decoration.
Are you guys seeing how good copper looks under kitchen lighting? I still bang my head on it once a week. Worth it though!
- Storage that shows off
- Ceiling mount holds the most weight
- Copper darkens nicely with age
Gallery Wall Of Plates
Last but definitely not least, a gallery wall of plates is one of the prettiest empty kitchen wall ideas out there. Thrift store plates work perfectly and cost almost nothing. My whole wall came from three different five dollar bins!
Mix patterns, mix sizes and hang them with basic plate hangers, since matching sets look boring anyway. Nobody will guess where half of them came from, lol!
- Thrift store showpiece
- Plate hangers cost just a few dollars
- Mismatched patterns look intentional
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Camille
