While kitchen remodels can be costly, there are strategies to design an affordable yet luxurious space. Whether that is by elevating the aesthetic with curated hardware or implementing a layered lighting scheme. These are my tips for a modern kitchen that ensures a luxe look without exceeding your budget.

Lighting plays a crucial role in modern kitchens, facilitating various functions from cooking to socialising and a layered approach is the best approach. This includes recessed lighting for work areas, decorative fixtures for visual appeal, and in-cabinet lighting for accents. Separate switching and dimmer capabilities ensure flexibility and mood adaptation

Kitchen island pendant lighting offers a transformative touch to any kitchen space, investing in two or three statement pendants for a luxurious yet affordable upgrade, by updating tired pendants you can have an instant wow factor and refresh your tired looking kitchen.

Open shelving can enhance your kitchen's spaciousness and functionality. It offers an opportunity to display favourite items while keeping essentials within easy reach. Using glass containers for a cohesive look and highlights the flexibility of open shelves for easy style updates.

Opting for dark kitchen cabinet colours during the design phase can elevate your space, even with a budget-friendly base. Hues like black, deep green, or navy for a luxe feel, especially when balanced with bright whites and mixed metals. Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs recommends painting outdated cabinets for a budget-friendly transformation, offering a weekend DIY option.

Designers often create an affordable luxurious kitchen by pairing mid-range cabinets with upscale hardware for an elevated look. Adding statement pulls can transform the space, creating drama and modern flair. Opt for contrasting finishes like black or gold for a striking effect.

While natural materials like marble elevate kitchen aesthetics, they often come with a hefty price tag. However, modern design innovations offer a solution: marble-effect quartz. A quartz mimics natural stone beautifully, offering affordability and low maintenance—a win-win for luxe kitchens on a budget.