Portland Kitchen Remodel Ideas: 3 Examples to Help You Budget

When it comes to transforming your Portland house into a home, few projects are as impactful as a kitchen remodel. It’s about more than just updating a space; it’s about crafting an environment that reflects your style and meets your daily needs. Many Portland homeowners looking for kitchen remodel ideas often seek inspiration to fuel their creativity.

At Lamont Bros. Design & Construction, we’ve completed hundreds of kitchen remodeling projects in the Portland area. Our expertise lies in drawing inspiration from various sources to help homeowners realize their kitchen remodel vision. With our experience in custom home remodeling, we guide you through finding and executing the perfect design for your kitchen.

This article explores various kitchen remodel design ideas, using case studies from our Portland projects in three categories: Good, Better, and Best. Each provides a unique blend of design ideas, catering to different preferences and budgets, from foundational elements in ‘Good’ remodels to luxurious customizations in ‘Best’ kitchens.

Good – The Essential Kitchen

The ‘Good’ level kitchen remodel epitomizes practicality and durability. It’s perfectly suited for Portland homeowners seeking functional yet aesthetically pleasing kitchen design ideas without breaking the bank. 

One such project undertaken by our team at Lamont Bros. was this full remodel of a 1922 Craftsman-style rental home in Southeast Portland. The home, left in serious disrepair by previous tenants, presented a unique opportunity to create a durable, cost-effective kitchen suitable for the rental market.

Standard-Sized Cabinets

The cabinets for this remodel were entry-level cabinets offered in standard sizing from the manufacturer. Choosing standard-sized cabinets rather than custom or semi-custom is a great way to save money, and the cabinets are still of excellent construction quality. 

Two-Tone Cabinet Contrast

Even with basic cabinetry, there are still some great ways to enhance the visual appeal of your kitchen. One such way is to use a different color than your base cabinets for your upper cabinets. Two-tone cabinets offer a simple yet effective way to add depth and character to a kitchen.

Open & Closed Shelving

A mix of open and closed shelving can offer versatility in storage and adds an interesting visual element to the kitchen. Many homeowners have items in their kitchen that are as much for display as they are for cooking. Adding open shelves for display offers a place to store these items when not in use and adds variation to the closed shelving.

Wood Accents

Although flat colors are currently a popular choice for kitchen cabinetry, adding wood accents throughout the kitchen can bring a touch of warmth and natural charm to the kitchen. Whether it’s a section of wood cabinetry, shelves, or a butcher block countertop, wood features can make your space feel welcoming and lived-in.

Better – The Elevated Kitchen

Kitchens in the ‘Better’ category shift the focus towards semi-custom designs. These kitchens offer a better balance between visual style, functionality, and cost.

The kitchen design ideas featured in this case study come from a remodel in the Hawthorn Neighborhood in Portland. This kitchen showcases several semi-custom solutions that elevate both the functionality and style of the space.

Slab-Style Cabinets

Slab-style cabinets are often regarded as a hallmark of modern kitchen design. They are known for their sleek, flat, and simple doors. These cabinets invoke minimalist aesthetics, offering a clean and uncluttered look that is highly sought after in contemporary kitchen designs. Their popularity stems from their ability to create a smooth, seamless appearance throughout the kitchen.

Accent Color for Backsplash

In a world where most backsplash designs are meant to fit in, make yours stand out. Adding an accent color to the backsplash is an excellent way to enhance a kitchen’s design. It introduces a dynamic visual element that acts as a focal point, drawing the eye and adding depth to the kitchen’s aesthetic.

Dekton Countertops

Dekton countertops provide a blend of durability and design versatility, adding both functionality and aesthetic appeal to the kitchen. Renowned for their exceptional durability, Dekton surfaces are highly resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, meaning they can withstand the rigors of daily kitchen use. In fact, Dekton is the only type of countertop that you can set a hot pan on right from the stove.

Best – The Pinnacle of Customization

A kitchen in the ‘Best’ category is all about luxury, customization, and high-end features. Although most homeowners who go this route are still conscientious of the cost, their goals are primarily aimed at seeking the custom-tailored luxury kitchen experience.

One of our recent projects in the Lake Oswego area featured an exemplary “best” level luxury kitchen remodel. In this project, our team helped the homeowner achieve an extraordinary level of customization and luxury, transforming their old, outdated kitchen into a custom-designed space just for them.

Custom Cabinets with Integrated Appliances

Custom cabinets offer the most freedom to design your kitchen exactly as you want. With dimensions, door styles, finish colors, and storage solutions all built to your specifications, custom cabinetry is the most effective way to ensure your kitchen meets your needs exactly. At Lamont Bros., we partner with Oregon-based cabinet manufacturer Knight Cabinetry. 

For this specific project, we also included integrated appliances, allowing the exterior of several appliances to match the style of the cabinetry. 

High Contrast Countertops

Another popular trend in kitchen design is to feature countertops that sharply contrast with the color of the cabinetry. High-contrast countertops are a striking feature that can serve as the centerpiece of a luxurious kitchen. In this case, the homeowners chose Silestone’s Charcoal Soapstone quartz countertops to go with their custom white cabinetry. 

Snack Bar

A fantastic feature for growing families with hungry children, a snack bar provides a convenient, casual dining area, perfect for quick snacks or drinks, especially in busy households. Installing a snack bar can give you a dedicated place to store and serve snacks while keeping the rest of your kitchen available for cooking the big meals. Plus, it’s a great feature to have for parties!

Want to Learn More About Kitchen Remodeling?

Now that you have seen these case studies and read about several design ideas, do you know which features you want to include in your Portland kitchen remodel? Take the next step in your research by downloading our free Kitchen Remodel Buyer’s Guide. In it, you’ll find remodeling advice directly from the pros to help you navigate the challenges of renovating your kitchen.

Want to talk to a remodel designer about your kitchen? Click the button below to set up a free design consultation with a member of our team. We’ll help you begin turning your current kitchen into the kitchen of your dreams.