Let me set the scene: floral wallpaper, honey oak cabinets, fluorescent lighting, and tile countertops you could grout-clean until retirement. My kitchen, built in 1986, hadn’t been touched since “Top Gun” hit theaters. After years of dreaming and pining, I finally pulled the trigger and started my own kitchen remodel Austin adventure. This is our real client story.
My mission was to transform an outdated 1980s kitchen into a contemporary open layout that motivates me to start cooking. This should help you achieve clarity and gain inspiration for your transformation with possible motivation for your upcoming renovation project.
What is The Breaking Point?
Entering my kitchen always transported me to a different time period because it seemed antique to the eyes of modernity. We needed a different arrangement for our home lifestyle while the illumination was unflattering and we lacked counter area space. The turning point? The Thanksgiving dinner became such a tight squeeze that carvering the turkey proved challenging.
That’s when I called JPS Remodeling Experts, and we started planning my kitchen remodel Austin journey. The first meeting established a confident connection between us because they both appreciated my designs while staying within budget and transforming my outdated ’80s area into modern home features.
5 Tips to Transform My 1980s Kitchen: A Kitchen Remodel Austin Story
When reflecting on the remodeling journey the thing that took me off guard was not the actual construction process but rather the impact of numerous minimal choices on how the space ultimately appeared. All these design insights stem from practical lessons I developed through testing methods and continuous research on Pinterest during late-night work sessions. If you’re about to dive into your own kitchen remodel Austin project, here are a few things I wish I’d known from the start.
1. Don’t Just Replace, Rethink the Layout
Our primary change involved making structural modifications to the kitchen because updating appliances and backsplash is not enough. Our entire interaction with the area changed after destroying one entire wall. Now, cooking dinner while chatting with guests or keeping an eye on the kids is second nature.
2. Upgrade Where It Counts (And Save Where You Can)
It’s tempting to want everything top-of-the-line, but real talk? You don’t need it. We invested in the features we use every single day: a deep, single-basin sink, soft-close drawers, and durable quartz countertops that don’t stain at the sight of a red wine spill.
Meanwhile, we saved by going with classic white subway tile (affordable and timeless) and doing open shelving on one wall instead of upper cabinets. Strategic spending is key in any kitchen remodel Austin project, even if you’re hiring pros.
3. Lighting Is Everything (Plan Early!)
I didn’t realize how bad our old lighting was until we swapped it out. Gone are the flickering fluorescent tubes. We installed layered lighting: recessed ceiling lights for general use, pendant lights over the island for ambiance, and under-cabinet LEDs for task lighting.
The result? A space that looks just as good at 7 a.m. as it does at midnight. Lighting is one of those quick updates that completely elevates the look and functionality of your kitchen, don’t leave it as an afterthought.
4. Match Your Style to Your Real Life
This one is big. I used to look at glossy kitchen photos online and dream about ultra-modern styles or open shelves filled with curated cookbooks. But once we started the remodel, I had to be honest with myself: we’re a busy family, we need storage, and I hate dusting. So we leaned into what worked for our lifestyle, closed cabinetry, durable materials, and a pantry setup that actually made sense.
5. Choose Experts Who Speak Austin
From materials to permits to understanding Texas humidity, there are things only locals know. That’s why working with JPS Remodeling Experts, who specialize in kitchen remodel Austin projects, made a world of difference.
The Design Phase: Goodbye Oak, Hello To Open Concept
I knew I wanted more than just a surface update. This wasn’t about painting cabinets and calling it a day. It was a full-on gut and reimagine. Here’s what we focused on:
- Knocking down a wall to open the kitchen to the dining area.
- Replacing the overhead box lighting with recessed and pendant fixtures.
- Swapping dated cabinets for sleek shaker-style in a warm white.
- Adding a large quartz island with storage (and a spot for my kids to do homework).
The team at JPS kitchen remodel Austin Experts helped me see possibilities I wouldn’t have imagined on my own. Their design guidance was spot-on and truly elevated every choice we made. It didn’t just feel like a project, it felt like a partnership.
The Finishing Touches: My “Before and After Kitchen” Moment
Once the cabinets were in, the island topped, and the backsplash tiled, I stood back and took it all in. It didn’t even feel like the same house. I had my before and after kitchen moment, the one where you stare at your new space and wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. Now I have a kitchen that:
- Feels three times bigger, even though the footprint didn’t change that much.
- Gives me all the counter space I need (and then some).
- Is so bright and airy, it almost makes doing dishes enjoyable.
Why Should You Choose Us?
The kitchen should be likely a mirror of you, excellent in functionality and make little things in daily life easier at JPS Remodeling Experts. The house has to work better for you with creative partnership beyond just being contractors. Same care and craftsmanship with every project, big or small, we bring with updating a few things or doing a whole redesign. What further distinguishes us?
- Kitchen remodel Austin, more than ever, is what we do here.
- Personalized, localized: we really understand everything about the Austinites, homes, codes, and design preferences.
- Honest pricing and clear timelines will always take us one step ahead of very friendly service that does not stop after the job is done.
Wrap Up
Perhaps you’ve long found yourself staring at outdated tile or dreaming of a kitchen island wholly your own-a sign for you. According to our real client story, with the right team, the process is even smoother than you think without having to keep your dream alive: a brand new functionally beautiful kitchen. Let JPS Remodeling Experts help you bring your vision into reality.
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