Before: Out of Place
This 13x13 kitchen didn?t fit with the rest of the charming Colonial home?s interior. To save money, the homeowners kept the appliances in their original locations, and then added loads of charm to create a welcoming space for their young family.
After: Perfect Arrangement
Removing the island was the number one priority in this kitchen remodel; a close second was replacing the builder-grade cabinets with semicustom cabinetry. The island was replaced with a peninsula, giving the homeowners better traffic flow and a casual seating area. A colorful yet subtle backsplash adds personality and charm to this kitchen remodel.
Before: Cramped and Closed-Off
For an executive chef and a wine representative, this cramped and closed-off kitchen didn?t work for two people who loved to cook and entertain friends and family. The renovation?s main goal was to turn this dreary 10x13 kitchen into the hub of the home where the hosts could interact with their guests.
After: Open and Inviting
The kitchen was opened up on two sides, which brightened the space and created a breakfast bar while still allowing for plenty of cabinetry and counter space. Main features, such as the flooring, countertops, and backsplash , are neutral, letting the homeowners add and change out colorful accents when the mood strikes.
Before: Cramped Quarters
The galley kitchen in this 1920s home needed to be brought into this century. While the homeowners wanted to keep the original step-saving design, knocking out a wall between the kitchen and the dining room drastically changed how the space is used -- in a positive way.
After: Airy Elegance
Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room added 10 valuable inches to the galley. The homeowners also stole a foot of space from the dining room, making it possible to add a peninsula for added storage and a serving buffet. Timeless finishes outfit the vintage-style kitchen, including a subway-tile backsplash and crisp white cabinetry.
Before: Outdated but Spacious
When the homeowner moved back into her childhood home, she wanted to improve the house but not completely change it. The stark contrast of the dated white cabinets and black appliances made the kitchen anything but welcoming, so an update was the first order of business.
After: Warm and Inviting
A warm glaze on new Shaker-style maple cabinets , oil-rubbed bronze accents, and a roomy island create a rich and welcoming space for family to gather. Inspired by the tile backsplash and flecks in the granite countertops, coppery-orange paint on the walls adds a punch of color that enhances -- but doesn?t overwhelm ? the room.
Before: A Rocky Beginning
After closing on their first house, the homeowners didn't waste any time creating a kitchen that worked for them. Their main goals were to add storage , replace outdated flooring and lighting , and improve overall aesthetics. For about $1,000, this kitchen got an amazing makeover.
After: Polished Gem
Existing cabinetry and black granite countertops were in good condition, so homeowners used those as a jumping-off point. The cabinets were freshened with paint, a mosaic tile backsplash was added above the new range, and track lighting and a show-stopping industrial pendant now light up the room. Adding a new range allowed the homeowners to turn the hole left by the wall oven into pretty and practical open storage .
Before: Standing Room Only
An ideal neighborhood trumped a perfect interior, so these homeowners took to making this house a home, starting with the kitchen . Overall, the layout was sound, but the kitchen lacked an island that could accommodate seating for guests and casual dinners, and more than that, it lacked personality.
After: Preferred Seating
The existing cherry cabinets didn?t fit the homeowners? style, but they didn?t want to rip them out, so some of the upper cabinets got a coat of white paint, while the island was brightened with a pale blue hue. Stock cabinets and chunky traditional-style legs found online expand the island and create a much-needed seating area. A larger window and the painted cabinets help this kitchen feel airy and bright.
Before: Untapped Potential
Taking over the space of an unused porch allowed these homeowners to create a kitchen and breakfast nook that worked for their family of six. After their kitchen designer talked them out of pricey custom cabinets , the homeowners were able to save thousands of dollars by adding custom touches to stock cabinets to achieve the look they wanted.
After: Full of Family and Function
Barely gray cabinets create a neutral kitchen with style. The granite countertops and gray subway-tile backsplash pair perfectly with the color scheme , creating a soothing and timeless space. Refined touches such as turned legs on the island and a custom vent hood create a kitchen that feels high-end and custom, but the durable granite counters and hardwood floors are perfect for this busy family's daily use.
Before: DIY-Ready
The kitchen in this charming Cape Cod home needed a lot of work, but that didn?t scare off these DIY-ready homeowners. To create a space large enough for their family, they knocked down the wall between the dining room and kitchen, installed recycled wood floors, and assembled and finished the stock base cabinetry themselves.
After: Fantastic Finish
Now the kitchen showcases the mix of modern and traditional elements that flows throughout the rest of the home. The island was built from stock cabinetry and topped with a combination of concrete and butcher-block countertops, while stainless-steel shelves replace upper cabinets , creating a kitchen that is bright and open.
Before: Cute but Cramped
This cottage kitchen was already quite cute; it just needed a more efficient layout and a little more light. Awkwardly placed appliances and an oversize island took up valuable kitchen space, while doorways cut up even more of the 25x12-foot floor space. The ceiling was oppressively low, only 7 feet 10 inches, adding to the confined feel.
After: Sweet and Spacious
By rearranging traffic patterns, removing walls , and improving the location of appliances , this kitchen got the extra light, space, and style it needed. Four tall windows above the sink, a creamy-white palette, and reflective surfaces make the room feel open and airy. A coffered ceiling, arched doorways, and crown moldings reinforce the kitchen's cottage appeal.
Before: In Need of Repair
This kitchen needed a complete overhaul of its cabinets , surfaces, and appliances -- it had barely been updated since the home was built in 1966. An unnecessary row of upper and lower cabinets sliced the room in half, leaving a cramped space for cooking and another for dining.
After: Eco-Friendly Remodel
With a passion for all things green, the homeowners made sure their buying and building decisions were eco-friendly. They turned the layout 90 degrees, which opened up the space and brought in more natural light from a bay window by a banquette. The owners installed environmentally friendly materials and appliances: certified eucalyptus hybrid wood cabinetry, paint with no volatile organic compounds (zero-VOC), xenon lighting , recycled-glass tile backsplash , and Energy Star-rated appliances.
Before: Too Immature
Though their kitchen looked nice, the homeowners craved a mature look and a more functional space. The shiny, white plastic cabinets lacked character and were basically falling apart -- the cabinetry's thin veneer finish was bubbling up and the door hinges were falling off. A pair of stools pulled up to the island offered the only eating spot -- not sufficient for a family of four.
After: Gorgeous and Grown Up
The new kitchen features a mix of wood cabinets with white ones to keep the space bright while creating the illusion that the room was updated over decades instead of a few days. A few wall cabinets reach to the ceiling, creating additional storage and display areas. A banquette was added next to the kitchen island to free up counter space and provide additional dining space for the family.
Before: Small and Insufficient
The homeowners of this galley kitchen wanted three things out of their room redo: more light, additional storage, and an open eating area. The reason for their demands: Their small appliances gobbled up the little counter space they had, and a dated and dark color scheme -- along with a cramped dining area -- made the room feel uninviting.
After: Modern and Chic
Removing cabinets above the peninsula opened up the kitchen , making it feel larger and lighter. A bar-height countertop wrapped in stainless steel added to the back of the peninsula creates more counter and dining space. Affordable gray laminate covers the countertops and complements the stainless-steel appliances .
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