Before and After: Kitchens

A fresh coat of white paint lightened up the kitchen cabinets and the overall room, and a pretty blue hue provides welcome contrast on the kitchen island. For enhanced visual interest on a budget, the cabinet hardware was updated and X-shape muntins\were added to the upper cabinets. For a cottage touch, the existing popcorn ceiling was covered with beaded-board paneling, and a new butcher-block countertop was installed on the island. Bumping one wall back 24 inches made room for a new kitchen cabinet that functions as a serving station for entertaining.

Opening up an old pantry created enough floor space for a generous kitchen island with a second sink and an eating bar. By placing the microwave oven in the end of the island, the design team preserved wall space for glass-front kitchen cabinets and generous windows to lighten the overall look. A palette of granite, tile, stainless steel, and wood showcases both durability and style.

A new professional-style range with a dramatic stainless-steel backsplash offers serious cooking power and adds a modern vibe to the room. Kitchen appliances were rearranged to create efficient workstations for cooking and cleanup tasks, allowing multiple cooks to easily work simultaneously. A new kitchen island offers a prep sink, smart storage, and an uninterrupted green granite countertop. A mix of dark mahogany and light maple cabinets adds to the room's contemporary feel.

By taking over a nearby powder room, additional square footage was added to the cooking area. The countertop space is nearly four times larger than that of the existing kitchen, thanks to the a few smart moves that eliminated an exterior door, expanded the peninsula, and replaced the cooktop and wall ovens with a range. Barstools on one side of the peninsula add the casual dining area desired, while traditional kitchen cabinets that rise nearly to the ceiling maximize storage within the still-limited space.

To limit costs, the small kitchen was kept within its existing footprint. Dark-stained walnut cabinets lend drama, while a white ceramic tile backsplash and white quartz-surfacing countertops reflect light and brighten the room. Stainless-steel appliances upgrade the overall look, and a new cooktop set in a table-style peninsula and paired with a suspended hood encourages conversations between the cook and family or guests in the dining area.

After the kitchen remodel, cream-color cabinets warmed by a mocha glaze extend to the ceiling -- boosting storage and style. A stained shelf unit with a moveable worktable below cleverly hides a door to the furnace and can be moved out of the way when needed. A counter-depth refrigerator maximizes floor space, and its new location on the range wall gives the homeowners the space they needed to add a new dining table and French doors on the opposite side of the room. Terra-cotta floor tiles laid on a diagonal help make the kitchen feel larger.

Staying within the existing footprint, a dishwasher was added and the layout was reworked to create an efficient work triangle. To boost storage, a closet was transformed into a well-organized pantry. Countertop space is still limited, but counters are never cluttered thanks to smart storage throughout the room. Black kitchen cabinets contrast with white solid-surfacing countertops and white subway tile on the backsplash to create drama, while an apron-front sink lends old-fashioned charm.

A fresh coat of white lacquer-based paint instantly transformed the kitchen cabinets and brightened up the room. Black granite tile, a more affordable alternative to granite slabs, creates a stylish countertop, and green subway tile with a crackle glaze adds subtle color and texture to the backsplash area. Stainless-steel appliances, including a sleek new hood above the range, add contemporary style and modern function. Glass shelves replace an awkward corner cabinet and lighten up the look.

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.

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.

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.

A new, larger island with a soft gold limestone countertop now serves as the center of family life, providing a place to work, enjoy a meal, or chat with the cook. A walnut glaze and pewter French-inspired hardware give the cabinetry subtle old-world appeal. Hand-stained concrete tiles in varying gold and apricot tones cover the backsplash, complementing the stone countertop and wood cabinetry.

Removing a wall gives this kitchen and living room a burst of light, and the installation of a breakfast bar boosts the spaciousness. The clean-lined maple cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, dark gray countertops, and white tile also reflect light and give the room a contemporary feel.

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.

This kitchen conversion led to a space that brought the whole family together. The wall that separated the kitchen and the living room was torn down, making the two rooms feel like one great-room. Clean-lined cherry cabinets were installed along with a new kitchen island painted sage green. Cherry tops the island while granite protects the work zones. Mid-range appliances kept costs down.

To open up the room and bring in more light, the wall between the kitchen and the formal dining room was replaced with a peninsula anchored by a bar-height counter. Knotty alder cabinetry with a warm cider stain, along with warm yellow walls accented by mellow earth tones, give the kitchen a casual, airy ambience. Budget-friendly laminate countertops look like expensive stone ones. The end of the island is dressed up with a pretty yet practical built-in wine rack.