Before and After: Cottage Kitchen

This gorgeous cottage kitchen wasn't always stylish and functional. With no room to cook, an awkward flow, and minimal counter space, the homeowners knew they needed to renovate the kitchen of their 1935 Cape-style cottage in upstate New York to improve the functionality of the room.

The solution? Start from scratch. Since any upgrades would be a waste of money unless the dysfunctional layout was addressed, they began discussing the logistics. The first step was to alter the floor plan in the 8x10-foot galley kitchen to add much-needed space and improve the flow.

The basement door was moved from its existing location by the range to the dining room around the corner. With this change, the kitchen gained 3 feet at one end of the wall and extended it on the other end by 9 inches. The move also resulted in a more open and airy feel in the kitchen.

The range was relocated to the center of the expanded wall. This increases the landing space on both sides of the range, which opens up for more counter room for cooking prep.

Editor's Tip: When reconfiguring a kitchen layout, carefully consider appliance placement to ensure optimal use of counter space.

Hanging a steel rod over the oven area created a useful utensil rack. It was made from a 30-inch length of steel tubing, attached by drilling holes into the two shelf brackets. The black laminate backsplash (made from the same material as the countertops) pops next to the light color scheme in the kitchen, and the silver touches add sparkle.

Stock cabinets were given a custom touch with the installation of pullout trays. Not only are these great for keeping cabinets organized, but they also provide even more interior space for storage.

A mix of open shelving and recessed-panel cabinets provides a vintage look. To create the look of this open shelving on a dime, the homeowners used 1/2-inch pine boards with 1-1/2-inch pieces of flat stock pine attached to the front of each shelf, giving the illusion of hefty (and pricey) shelving.

Editor's Tip: Open shelves help make this galley kitchen seem larger and are a great way to store kitchen essentials.

Accessories give this kitchen a final polish. The secret to getting the finished look is to start with a list. Itemize plates, bowls, glasses, and anything else that could go on the shelves. A simple color scheme, such as this kitchen's Tiffany blue, sage green, and cream, creates a cohesive look.

Editor's Tip: The numbers add up fast when you're buying multiples, so create a budget to keep track of costs while shopping. And think pretty but practical when making purchases.

The homeowner loved the look of black oil-rubbed soapstone but found a laminate product with a similar look at a fraction of the cost. Laminate also requires very little upkeep.

Like most older kitchen, this one was stuck with mix and matched, old and inefficient appliances and in desperate need of updates.

The homeowners' solution was to purchase sleek, modern stainless-steel appliances. The stainless-steel plays off of the satin-nickel components of the kitchen design, giving an unforgettable look to the room.

Editor's Tip: By budgeting for updated appliances you can end up saving money on your utilities bills because new models are more efficient than old models.

Switching a double-bowl sink to a single-bowl sink to maximizes counter space in the kitchen and keeping it in the same spot is a smart budget move. Keeping the sink in the same location means there is no need to relocate the plumbing.

The $425 vintage-style farmhouse faucet was a splurge for a modest budget, but the vintage-embellished element adds character to the simple lines of the kitchen, and the homeowners were able to offset the cost by installing a simple sink.

Editor's Tip: When planning your remodel, decide where you want to splurge and where you want to save.

Stock molding and blackboard paint creates a message center for less than $25. A handy place to keep notes for your family, the blackboard is an inexpensive detail that can add both personality and convenience to your room.

For lighting, the homeowners created a cohesive look by installing a vintage-style white ceramic pulley fixture for the nook and a smaller version of the same light over the sink. For task lighting, an essential in a functional kitchen, they also install two strips of white halogen track lights above the work zones in the kitchen.

A little creativity yielded this savvy storage nook. By inserting dividers into this shelf, it went from one big space, to a built-in wine rack and cookbook shelf.

Replacing a window at the end of the kitchen with a new, energy-efficient French door provides easy access to outside. This functional and charming white door adds natural light into the room and helps carry out the kitchen's color scheme of Tiffany blue and cream, which was selected to help play up the home's cottage roots.

The space around the breakfast nook was tight. Seating allowed only limited room for guests, and the nook had absolutely no storage. The homeowners wanted a way to better use this available space.

With the help of a custom-made bench, the nook was converted into a beautiful banquette. This transformation not only allowed for more seating, but the new flip-top benches provide handy storage space.

The hinge-top benches are comfy place for gathering for family meals and add built-in storage to the space, giving the nook a dual purpose. It's the perfect place to store away pillows that aren't being used, seat cushions, or any other miscellaneous items.

Sheer Roman shades on the windows allow light to stream into the cozy nook. By keeping the window treatments light and sheer, the room gets an open, spacious vibe.

Editor's Tip: Install molding around small windows to make them appear larger.