5 Beautiful Kitchen Renovation Ideas for 2017

The kitchen is the heart of the home and a place where many great memories happen. Lazy weekend breakfasts, adventurous baking messes, bustling dinner parties – the list is endless! And seeing as we spend so much time there, it’s no wonder many of us dream of giving our kitchen a new lease of life. If 2017 is the year that you’ve finally decided to get that long-awaited kitchen makeover, here are five of the latest trends to consider.

1. Retro Style Kitchen

It’s no surprise that retro is making a major comeback. The good news is that you can make an old-world splash anywhere in your kitchen - from vintage appliances on your countertop to colourful fridges with throwback curves. However, there’s no better way to make a retro statement than by investing in a range cooker. A range is a great way to add a touch of character to your kitchen, and advances in technology mean you don’t have to sacrifice energy efficiency if you install one of these modern ovens in your home.

2. Flooring - Wood Effect Tile

Although tile is a practical material for the kitchen floor, it just doesn’t have the same warm feel that wood delivers. This is where wood effect tile comes in. Who said you couldn’t have it all? With this versatile flooring material, you’ll get a stylish and hardwearing surface that’s available in a huge range of colours and wooden effects.

3. Coffee Stations

Your morning coffee might be getting more expensive with each passing week, but it’s a daily fix that’s hard to kick. A love for coffee never goes out of style, which is why so many people are investing in built-in coffee machines that add both form and function to any kitchen. These areas can be decorated with coffee accessories such as espresso cups and coffee beans to give a cosy café feel. And not only will your coffee zone look great, it also means that a refill is close at hand whenever you need a pick-me-up.

4. Kitchen Backsplash

Plain tiles are no more. Many people are now looking to make a bigger splash with their backsplash. And the more vibrant the hue the better, as plain kitchen colours in isolation are becoming a thing of the past. Mosaic tiles are more popular than ever and they offer a great opportunity to mix colours and textures to give a look that’s entirely personal. If you’re going for a modern and industrial look in your kitchen, a bright backsplash can act as a colourful focal point.

5. Smart Technology in the Kitchen

2017 is already seeing more and more people embracing a ‘smarter’ kitchen. Technology is improving kitchen atmosphere by offering solutions like remote-controlled lighting and Bluetooth speakers, which makes hosting that big dinner party a much more streamlined experience. Functionality is also coming on in leaps and bounds, with kettles that can be flicked on from your bed using a phone app and scales that can be controlled from your tablet. The Drop Scale is just one example of an innovative piece of new kitchen tech – it pairs a recipe app with a scale for an entirely modern cooking and baking experience.

Want to Find out What's Cooking with Us?

If you have some kitchen renovation ideas of your own and would like to speak to us about a home improvement loan, you can apply online or drop into any AIB branch or call us on 0818 724 725. And with a loan decision available in just 3 hours*, your dream kitchen could be closer than you think!

Use our handy loan calculator to find out how much you can borrow today.

Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Copyright Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. 1995.

* 3 hour loan decision applies to fully completed new personal loan applications processed within 3 hours 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri excl. bank holidays. Loans from €1,000-€30,000. Excludes applications: to restructure or clear existing AIB credit facilities; received through Branch and referred to a lender for review, from customers in financial difficulty; for Student and First loans; applications through Business Centres; or where total borrowings exceed €100,000 (excluding Home Loan debt up to €600,000).