Kitchen Makeovers
Before and Afters
Before and After: 4 Inviting Kitchens in 150 to 170 Square Feet
See how designers, including one found on Houzz, improved style, storage and seating to maximize limited space
Size is relative, but a 150-to-170-square-foot kitchen is generally considered modest in U.S. homes. Yet with the right design strategies, it’s often more than enough space to accommodate abundant storage, adequate countertop space and even seating at an island or peninsula. For an idea of what’s possible, check out these four kitchens remodeled with function and style.
After: Jamentz and contractor Whitcomb-Hughes Design + Build took down the range wall to open the kitchen to the dining room. Removing the soffits helped give the space an airy feel. More natural light and an improved lighting scheme brightened the room. New cream-colored quartz countertops and custom white oak cabinets with ribbed panels also lighten the look and add textural interest. A multifunctional 10-foot island replaced the peninsula, adding seating, storage and work surface while loosening up traffic flow.
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“After” photo by Dave Bryce Photography
2. Old-World Appeal
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young kids and a dog
Location: Peters Township, Pennsylvania
Size: 154 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Seashal Belldina of Interiors by Seashal
Before: This Pennsylvania kitchen felt crammed into its existing 110 square feet. A short peninsula offered little space for prep or eating. Upper cabinets gave the space a heavy appearance without providing efficient storage. A bulky stainless steel refrigerator loomed on one wall. Style-wise, the basic white cabinetry, beige tile backsplash and beige countertops created a generic look. The homeowners wanted a space where they could host and entertain with improved storage and a more custom look. To realize their goals, they hired designer Seashal Belldina of Interiors by Seashal.
2. Old-World Appeal
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young kids and a dog
Location: Peters Township, Pennsylvania
Size: 154 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Seashal Belldina of Interiors by Seashal
Before: This Pennsylvania kitchen felt crammed into its existing 110 square feet. A short peninsula offered little space for prep or eating. Upper cabinets gave the space a heavy appearance without providing efficient storage. A bulky stainless steel refrigerator loomed on one wall. Style-wise, the basic white cabinetry, beige tile backsplash and beige countertops created a generic look. The homeowners wanted a space where they could host and entertain with improved storage and a more custom look. To realize their goals, they hired designer Seashal Belldina of Interiors by Seashal.
After: Belldina extended the kitchen into a nearby seating area, enlarging the kitchen by 44 square feet and increasing storage and countertop surface. A roomy new peninsula now has seating for four and plenty of prep space.
A 36-inch blue-gray dual-fuel freestanding range with copper accents inspired the custom blue-gray Shaker-style cabinets and new Stellar quartzite countertops. Belldina reworked the wall on the left, placing a paneled fridge where a reach-in pantry had been. Cabinets to the right of the fridge now store pantry items and a built-in coffee bar. Improving the cabinet space allowed Belldina to remove all the upper cabinets on the sink and range walls and run 5-by-5-inch creamy white zellige-style tiles from countertop to ceiling. Stained white oak shelves and range hood detail, mango wood stools with woven banana leaf seats and refinished red oak flooring add warmth.
Stools: Largo counter stool, Russet Mango, Four Hands; backsplash tiles: WOW design EU; wall paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
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Before and After: 4 Attractive Kitchens in 200 to 230 Square Feet
A 36-inch blue-gray dual-fuel freestanding range with copper accents inspired the custom blue-gray Shaker-style cabinets and new Stellar quartzite countertops. Belldina reworked the wall on the left, placing a paneled fridge where a reach-in pantry had been. Cabinets to the right of the fridge now store pantry items and a built-in coffee bar. Improving the cabinet space allowed Belldina to remove all the upper cabinets on the sink and range walls and run 5-by-5-inch creamy white zellige-style tiles from countertop to ceiling. Stained white oak shelves and range hood detail, mango wood stools with woven banana leaf seats and refinished red oak flooring add warmth.
Stools: Largo counter stool, Russet Mango, Four Hands; backsplash tiles: WOW design EU; wall paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Before and After: 4 Attractive Kitchens in 200 to 230 Square Feet
Before Photo
“After” photo by Lana Prants Photography
3. Nods to Nature
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with a child
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Size: 160 square feet (15 square meters)
Remodeler: Art Kulch of JDI Construction NW
Before: This 1970s kitchen in Beaverton, Oregon, didn’t give the homeowners the inviting spot they wanted for hosting family and friends. The young couple were happy with the layout of the 160-square-foot space, but their litany of grievances included aging off-white plywood cabinets, brown laminate countertops and beige tile flooring. Old appliances and a two-level peninsula also made things unwelcoming. A drop-down ceiling element with a large fluorescent light loomed above. Looking to create a functional and stylish space with a more vibrant look with color and texture, the homeowners turned to remodeler Art Kulch.
3. Nods to Nature
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with a child
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Size: 160 square feet (15 square meters)
Remodeler: Art Kulch of JDI Construction NW
Before: This 1970s kitchen in Beaverton, Oregon, didn’t give the homeowners the inviting spot they wanted for hosting family and friends. The young couple were happy with the layout of the 160-square-foot space, but their litany of grievances included aging off-white plywood cabinets, brown laminate countertops and beige tile flooring. Old appliances and a two-level peninsula also made things unwelcoming. A drop-down ceiling element with a large fluorescent light loomed above. Looking to create a functional and stylish space with a more vibrant look with color and texture, the homeowners turned to remodeler Art Kulch.
After: Kulch removed the appliances, backsplash, cabinetry, countertops, flooring and two-level peninsula. He also eliminated the soffit and created a flush ceiling, and he smoothed out the peninsula to make it one continuous level that creates an open feel.
Sage green Shaker-style cabinets elevate the style and offer a homey feel. The cabinet color works with the wood-look vinyl plank flooring to create a warm and welcoming vibe that nods to nature. Faux brown leather stools provide a spot for casual meals or visiting with the cook. Their gold legs coordinate with brushed gold cabinet pulls and knobs. Glazed white ceramic backsplash tile coordinates with marble-look quartz countertops to reflect light and allow the green cabinets to pop.
Backsplash tile: Cloe in white, 2½ by 8 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Sage green Shaker-style cabinets elevate the style and offer a homey feel. The cabinet color works with the wood-look vinyl plank flooring to create a warm and welcoming vibe that nods to nature. Faux brown leather stools provide a spot for casual meals or visiting with the cook. Their gold legs coordinate with brushed gold cabinet pulls and knobs. Glazed white ceramic backsplash tile coordinates with marble-look quartz countertops to reflect light and allow the green cabinets to pop.
Backsplash tile: Cloe in white, 2½ by 8 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
Read more about this kitchen makeover
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
“After” photo by Regina Mallory Photography
4. Contemporary With Warmth
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Peabody, Massachusetts
Size: 170 square feet (16 square meters)
Designer: Jenni Jacobs of McGuire + Co. Kitchen & Bath
Before: The owners of this 1980s Peabody, Massachusetts, post-and-beam home thought the location of the kitchen appliances and sink worked for their needs. But the basic honey oak cabinets, black granite countertops, granite tile backsplash and salmon-colored ceramic floor tile needed updating. Plus, the couple felt the abundance of brown and dark tones drew attention away from the attractive exposed wood ceiling. There was also a peninsula that stuck out from the back of an unnecessary coat closet near the home’s front entry, partially visible here at the lower left, cutting the kitchen off from the living room and dining area.
Wanting better flow and a light and airy contemporary style to match the rest of their updated home, the couple reached out to designer Jenni Jacobs for help.
4. Contemporary With Warmth
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Peabody, Massachusetts
Size: 170 square feet (16 square meters)
Designer: Jenni Jacobs of McGuire + Co. Kitchen & Bath
Before: The owners of this 1980s Peabody, Massachusetts, post-and-beam home thought the location of the kitchen appliances and sink worked for their needs. But the basic honey oak cabinets, black granite countertops, granite tile backsplash and salmon-colored ceramic floor tile needed updating. Plus, the couple felt the abundance of brown and dark tones drew attention away from the attractive exposed wood ceiling. There was also a peninsula that stuck out from the back of an unnecessary coat closet near the home’s front entry, partially visible here at the lower left, cutting the kitchen off from the living room and dining area.
Wanting better flow and a light and airy contemporary style to match the rest of their updated home, the couple reached out to designer Jenni Jacobs for help.
After: Jacobs stripped back the kitchen and replaced the peninsula with a multipurpose island that improves traffic flow. She also incorporated the coat closet into the new kitchen, increasing the footprint by 10 square feet and allowing her to expand storage.
Light greige cabinets (Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore), creamy white ceramic backsplash tiles and white marble-look countertops brighten the look and allow the existing post-and-beam ceiling to be the showstopper in the space. The wood ceiling and new hardwood flooring now envelop the room in warmth.
Cabinetry: Luxury Line, Tedd Wood; counter stools: Jagger in Natural, Arhaus
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Light greige cabinets (Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore), creamy white ceramic backsplash tiles and white marble-look countertops brighten the look and allow the existing post-and-beam ceiling to be the showstopper in the space. The wood ceiling and new hardwood flooring now envelop the room in warmth.
Cabinetry: Luxury Line, Tedd Wood; counter stools: Jagger in Natural, Arhaus
Read more about this kitchen makeover
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Find a kitchen remodeler
Shop for your kitchen
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1. Bright Makeover
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Pasadena, California
Size: 167 square feet (16 square meters)
Designer: Gail Jamentz of Soul Interiors Design
Contractor: Whitcomb-Hughes Design + Build
Before: A poorly done remodel to this Pasadena, California, kitchen left it with an intrusive peninsula that impeded flow to the outdoors. Dropped soffits and a small window made the room look and feel dark. A range wall separating the dining room from the kitchen gave the kitchen a cramped feel and isolated the homeowner from others while cooking.
Craving a more enjoyable space with natural light, openness and better storage, the empty-nest homeowners looked to Houzz for help and found designer Gail Jamentz.