Kitchen Makeovers

The next couple of months, I am going ot feature before and after remodels by room. So let’s start with the kitchen. I love before-and-after shots, especially when no structural changes are made. If you can stay within the footprint of the existing structure, it is definitely a cost saver. However, don’t overlook that extra unused space or hallway that could really add to the upgraded space.

The first thing you should consider is why your current space does not work and what would need to be added to make it great for you. Also, think about colors and aesthetics that will last a long time. I always encourage lighter colors like taupe, white and light gray. You can dress it up or down with curtains, barstools, and items that are easily replaceable. Making a big commitment to a blue granite might be the wrong choice when you could commit to blue bar stools or curtains. Below you will see several remodeled kitchens, and some of them are real stunners.

Designer Stephanie Kraus gave this 1990s-era kitchen a fresh update while sticking to a "pull and replace" strategy. She left the existing electrical, plumbing, and structural features intact, which freed up the budget for higher-end materials to enhance the kitchen's aesthetic.

The key changes here involve keeping the kitchen’s original layout while updating older elements. Squaring off the angled corner cabinets helped create a timeless look. Upper cabinets were replaced with a custom curio-style cabinet and open shelving to make the room feel more spacious. A custom wood range hood in black serves as a striking focal point. Additional updates like a full-height subway tile backsplash, recessed refrigerator, and built-in dishwasher panels, along with new lighting, modernize the space beautifully.

 

Neutral color schemes work well in kitchens, but too much white can leave the space feeling bland and impersonal. This suburban kitchen went from boring to bursting with texture, pattern, and personality. The kitchen renovation was all accomplished within its existing floor plan.

 

 

Credit: Helen Norman

Moving the sink to the window gave this kitchen a harder-working U-shape layout. Mushroom-colored cabinets contrast with white quartz countertops and a subway tile backsplash. The reasonably priced backsplash tile was taken up to the ceiling for an added sense of height. Brass cabinet hardware and vintage columns on the breakfast bar add history without dating the look.

 

 

This small kitchen needed a big expansion to fit a family of six. Taking over the space of an unused porch allowed these homeowners to create a kitchen and breakfast nook that accommodates everyone. After deciding against 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.

 

 

Barely-there gray cabinets create a neutral kitchen with a sophisticated style. The granite countertops and gray subway tile backsplash pair perfectly with the color scheme for a timeless, soothing space. Kitchen makeover ideas, such as turned legs on the island and a bespoke 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.

 

 

From: Jennifer Walter

Nice size kitchen is overtaken by the center island structure. The rounded pillars compete with the straight angles. No structural changes were made to keep costs down. Appliances remain in original locations.

 

 

This stunning white kitchen features sleek brass fittings and hardware, a marble island and bar, and an exquisite Imperial Danby marble tile wall. The giant twin clear glass pendants keep the space open, airy, and uncluttered.

 

 

From: Erica Bryen Design

Before the renovation, this kitchen had white everywhere with dark, outdated hardwood floors.

 

 

Photo: Ryan Garvin, Gonterman Construction. From: Erica Bryen Design.

Blue-and-white patterned barstools at the island add a fun, colorful element to this neutral transitional kitchen. Blue is also found in the tile range backsplash and in the patterned curtains. The room’s bright white cabinetry is paired with gleaming gold-colored hardware, which is mirrored in the unique chandelier above the island.