Room ideas
Kitchen ideas
Most kitchen makeovers that look expensive are really lighting, seating and styling. Here is where to start.
Fix the lighting first
Kitchens need task light where you work, not just a ceiling light behind you. Under-cabinet LED strips are cheap and transform the counters. Over an island, hang two or three pendants about 30–36 inches above the counter, spaced evenly and centered on the island, not the room.
Seating at the island
- Counter height (36 in) needs 24–26 inch stools; bar height (42 in) needs 28–30 inch stools.
- Allow about 24 inches of counter per stool and 10–12 inches between seat and counter.
- Backless stools tuck away; stools with backs are better for long breakfasts.
Try it on your own room
Snap a photo of your room, pick a style, and see it redesigned in seconds — then shop every piece in the picture.
Try it freeChange the color, not the cabinets
Painting cabinets, or just the island, is the biggest visual change for the money. Warm whites and greige feel timeless; deep green, navy or wood tones on the island add personality. New hardware — matte black, brushed brass or nickel — finishes the job in an afternoon.
Open shelving, carefully
One or two open shelves look great with everyday dishes, glasses and a few cookbooks. Keep it to things you use weekly so nothing collects dust, and leave about a third of each shelf empty.
Style the counters
Clear counters look bigger and cleaner. Keep out only what you use daily, group it on a tray, and add one natural element — a wooden board, a bowl of fruit, a vase of branches.
Mistakes to avoid
- Pendants sized to the room instead of the island — they end up too small or off-center.
- Stools crammed in: three stools on a six-foot island is the comfortable maximum.
- Too many small appliances left out, which makes even a new kitchen look cluttered.
Budget tips
Lighting, stools, hardware and a runner rug give the biggest change under a few hundred dollars. Save new counters and appliances for a real remodel.
Redecorly keeps your kitchen's layout and shows it in a new style from one photo, so you can see a paint color or stool style before committing.
FAQ
What height bar stools do I need?
For a 36-inch counter choose 24–26 inch stools; for a 42-inch bar choose 28–30 inch stools.