Before and After: 4 Revamped Kitchens in 150 to 250 Square Feet
Explore clever layouts, accessible storage and designs that make cooking and entertaining effortless in a midsize space
Kitchens of between 150 and 250 square feet hit a sweet spot — spacious enough for cooking and entertaining yet compact enough to eliminate wasted space. These midsize layouts maximize storage, streamline workflow and keep everything within reach. In these before-and-after projects, see how design and build experts helped homeowners transform their kitchens into organized, accessible and highly functional spaces.
After: Colosi Johnson replaced the cabinetry, counters, backsplash, flooring and standard appliances. Frameless cabinets and trim in a historic earthy green (Rookwood Shutter Green by Sherwin-Williams) bring bold color and character. A new counter-depth matte black French door refrigerator creates a sleek, integrated look, and repurposed wood stools provide casual seating at the peninsula’s extended overhang.
A refreshed door to the sun porch on the left invites more natural light, while the updated mudroom and bar area (partially visible at the front) features ink-colored hexagonal porcelain tiles with a crackle finish and antimicrobial surface, adding texture and durability.
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A refreshed door to the sun porch on the left invites more natural light, while the updated mudroom and bar area (partially visible at the front) features ink-colored hexagonal porcelain tiles with a crackle finish and antimicrobial surface, adding texture and durability.
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A new 30-inch matte black smart range with a brushed brass handle is topped by a custom hood, its tiled surround seamlessly extending the 2-by-8-inch textured white subway backsplash that wraps two walls.
Centered under the window, an apron-front composite sink with a tapered silhouette anchors the space. Off-white quartz countertops with bold gold and greige veining provide a durable, eye-catching work surface, while the homeowners’ choice of dark floral fabric forms a charming skirt beneath the sink.
Relocating the matte black built-in dishwasher to the lower cabinet run in the foreground created a smoother, more functional flow. Wide (2¼-inch) white oak planks with a satin polyurethane finish add warmth and character, completing this stylish, inviting kitchen.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
9 Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel
Centered under the window, an apron-front composite sink with a tapered silhouette anchors the space. Off-white quartz countertops with bold gold and greige veining provide a durable, eye-catching work surface, while the homeowners’ choice of dark floral fabric forms a charming skirt beneath the sink.
Relocating the matte black built-in dishwasher to the lower cabinet run in the foreground created a smoother, more functional flow. Wide (2¼-inch) white oak planks with a satin polyurethane finish add warmth and character, completing this stylish, inviting kitchen.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
9 Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel
Before Photo
“After” photos by Cate Black
2. Open Plan With Improved Storage
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Audrey Mehrl of Audrey Scheck Design
Contractor: Crafted Hills Construction
Before: A long peninsula and a tiny center island made cooking and entertaining challenging in this Austin, Texas, kitchen. The peninsula, visible on the left, separated the kitchen from the living room. Just out of frame was a bar-height countertop running along the peninsula, capped by a partial wall that further divided the space.
The young homeowners turned to Audrey Mehrl of Audrey Scheck Design to create a more functional layout that reflects their traditional tastes — Victorian-inspired with a hint of farmhouse charm.
2. Open Plan With Improved Storage
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Audrey Mehrl of Audrey Scheck Design
Contractor: Crafted Hills Construction
Before: A long peninsula and a tiny center island made cooking and entertaining challenging in this Austin, Texas, kitchen. The peninsula, visible on the left, separated the kitchen from the living room. Just out of frame was a bar-height countertop running along the peninsula, capped by a partial wall that further divided the space.
The young homeowners turned to Audrey Mehrl of Audrey Scheck Design to create a more functional layout that reflects their traditional tastes — Victorian-inspired with a hint of farmhouse charm.
After: Removing the peninsula and partial wall made way for a spacious dark walnut island that improves traffic flow and provides striking contrast to the lighter perimeter cabinetry. Overhead, simple, small-scale pendant lights add a modern note without competing with the other design elements. A new large window to the left floods the kitchen with natural light.
The design’s jumping-off point was the handmade, hand-painted terra-cotta tile used for the backsplash. The artisanal tile introduces color, creates a focal point and pairs with a custom vent hood and walnut accents to define the range wall as the heart of the kitchen. Tongue-and-groove paneling above the tile nods to the farmhouse style the homeowners love.
This renovation, part of a whole-house remodel, opened sightlines between the kitchen, dining room and living room. Throughout the process, the team used Houzz Pro software for invoicing, procurement and Mood Boards to present styling options.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
The design’s jumping-off point was the handmade, hand-painted terra-cotta tile used for the backsplash. The artisanal tile introduces color, creates a focal point and pairs with a custom vent hood and walnut accents to define the range wall as the heart of the kitchen. Tongue-and-groove paneling above the tile nods to the farmhouse style the homeowners love.
This renovation, part of a whole-house remodel, opened sightlines between the kitchen, dining room and living room. Throughout the process, the team used Houzz Pro software for invoicing, procurement and Mood Boards to present styling options.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
The wall on the right now accommodates the refrigerator, a microwave drawer, a coffee station and additional cabinetry. Relocating the fridge off the focal wall creates a cleaner view from the living room. By borrowing space from the garage to build a new laundry room, the design team was able to convert the former laundry area into a pantry. The opening on the right leads to this pantry, which features pocket doors on both ends to close it off from the kitchen and laundry room as needed.
The cabinets are painted Drop Cloth by Farrow & Ball. Elegant marble-look quartz countertops elevate the workspace, while swapping the black concrete flooring for engineered maple-toned hardwood brings warmth and a more connected, stylish feel.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Before and After: 4 Fresh White-and-Wood Kitchens
The cabinets are painted Drop Cloth by Farrow & Ball. Elegant marble-look quartz countertops elevate the workspace, while swapping the black concrete flooring for engineered maple-toned hardwood brings warmth and a more connected, stylish feel.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Before and After: 4 Fresh White-and-Wood Kitchens
“After” photos by Irina Chepko
3. Family-Friendly With Warmth and Texture
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Norcross, Georgia
Size: 242 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: Rosa Moreno Kitchens
Builder: Atlanta Renovations and Construction
Before: In Georgia, a family with three energetic boys wanted to swap the aging kitchen and closed-off dining room for a more open, functional layout. The husband, a skilled general contractor, was ready to handle the construction, while his wife had plenty of creative ideas. But together they needed guidance on translating their vision into a smart layout that could handle their busy lifestyle — and stylish finishes to match.
They turned to designer Rosa Moreno, who helped reimagine the space in a warm, family-friendly style with earthy contrasts.
3. Family-Friendly With Warmth and Texture
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Norcross, Georgia
Size: 242 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: Rosa Moreno Kitchens
Builder: Atlanta Renovations and Construction
Before: In Georgia, a family with three energetic boys wanted to swap the aging kitchen and closed-off dining room for a more open, functional layout. The husband, a skilled general contractor, was ready to handle the construction, while his wife had plenty of creative ideas. But together they needed guidance on translating their vision into a smart layout that could handle their busy lifestyle — and stylish finishes to match.
They turned to designer Rosa Moreno, who helped reimagine the space in a warm, family-friendly style with earthy contrasts.
After: Moreno stripped the kitchen down to the studs, removing the appliances, backsplash, cabinets, ceiling fan, counters, vinyl flooring, sink window, soffit and closet. She filled in the window above the old sink to make room for a new focal-point range and a reworked appliance layout that better fits the family’s needs.
Moreno also took down the wall between the kitchen and dining room, expanding the kitchen into the former breakfast nook, adding 72 square feet and dramatically improving flow. The extra space allowed for a larger custom island, which is painted a muted, organic green with soft gray undertones (Shade-Grown, Sherwin-Williams). Soft white custom inset cabinetry along the perimeter brightens the room and contrasts gently with the island. Polished marble-look quartz countertops on the island and perimeter combine durability with a touch of elegance.
Paint colors: Alabaster (perimeter cabinets), Drift of Mist (walls), Pure White (ceiling and trim), Shade-Grown (island), Sherwin-Williams
Moreno also took down the wall between the kitchen and dining room, expanding the kitchen into the former breakfast nook, adding 72 square feet and dramatically improving flow. The extra space allowed for a larger custom island, which is painted a muted, organic green with soft gray undertones (Shade-Grown, Sherwin-Williams). Soft white custom inset cabinetry along the perimeter brightens the room and contrasts gently with the island. Polished marble-look quartz countertops on the island and perimeter combine durability with a touch of elegance.
Paint colors: Alabaster (perimeter cabinets), Drift of Mist (walls), Pure White (ceiling and trim), Shade-Grown (island), Sherwin-Williams
This view from the now-open dining room into the kitchen showcases the new French doors that replaced a bay window in the former breakfast nook. Just beside them, a new walk-in pantry with open shelving neatly organizes dry goods and small appliances. Shallow cabinets at the base of the island add another layer of smart storage.
The island has an undermount single-bowl farmhouse sink sized for large pots and pans, paired with a semiprofessional gold-finish faucet. Four counter-height stools with brushed flax upholstery and solid wood frames offer casual seating. Their natural tones coordinate with the new white oak flooring and the white oak accent band on the range hood, all adding warmth and texture.
Overhead, a pair of 16-inch brushed brass pendant lights with clear glass shades lend stylish detail, while LED ceiling fixtures and undercabinet lighting brighten the now family-friendly space.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
10 Stylish Kitchen Islands That Invite Conversation
The island has an undermount single-bowl farmhouse sink sized for large pots and pans, paired with a semiprofessional gold-finish faucet. Four counter-height stools with brushed flax upholstery and solid wood frames offer casual seating. Their natural tones coordinate with the new white oak flooring and the white oak accent band on the range hood, all adding warmth and texture.
Overhead, a pair of 16-inch brushed brass pendant lights with clear glass shades lend stylish detail, while LED ceiling fixtures and undercabinet lighting brighten the now family-friendly space.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
10 Stylish Kitchen Islands That Invite Conversation
“After” photos by Spencer Davis Real Estate Photography
4. Midcentury Style With Personality
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Judy Nolin and Stephen Barrett
Location: South Burlington, Vermont
Size: 220 square feet (20 square meters)
Designers: Britt Mee of Vermont Interior Design and Rachelle Lazzaro of OAK Design Project
Builder: Jess Oppenheimer and Brian Lewis of Heartwood Builders
Before: This 1990s Vermont kitchen struggled with both style and function. Honey oak cabinets cast a yellowish tone that clashed with the Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring the homeowners wanted to keep. A basic white tile backsplash with floral accents and laminate countertops felt dated, while upper cabinets that stopped short of the ceiling and a sink wall with unused end space left valuable storage potential untapped.
An undersize island and outdated appliances added to the frustration, prompting the homeowners to bring in designers Britt Mee and Rachelle Lazzaro to reimagine the space with improved storage and updated style.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
4. Midcentury Style With Personality
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Judy Nolin and Stephen Barrett
Location: South Burlington, Vermont
Size: 220 square feet (20 square meters)
Designers: Britt Mee of Vermont Interior Design and Rachelle Lazzaro of OAK Design Project
Builder: Jess Oppenheimer and Brian Lewis of Heartwood Builders
Before: This 1990s Vermont kitchen struggled with both style and function. Honey oak cabinets cast a yellowish tone that clashed with the Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring the homeowners wanted to keep. A basic white tile backsplash with floral accents and laminate countertops felt dated, while upper cabinets that stopped short of the ceiling and a sink wall with unused end space left valuable storage potential untapped.
An undersize island and outdated appliances added to the frustration, prompting the homeowners to bring in designers Britt Mee and Rachelle Lazzaro to reimagine the space with improved storage and updated style.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
After: The designers stripped out the old cabinets, counters, backsplash, appliances and island to start fresh. In their place, custom natural cherry cabinetry crafted in Vermont brings warmth and richness. Soft-close slab doors and drawer fronts with a vertical grain create a sleek midcentury look. Open natural cherry shelves along the sink wall lighten the space and showcase the homeowners’ colorful vintage dishware.
A larger island now provides ample seating, storage and a generous work surface topped with polished quartz featuring waterfall ends. The same quartz, used on the perimeter, has a solid white background with subtle reflective flecks that tie in beautifully with the green 2-by-6-inch porcelain backsplash tiles. Installed in a vertical stack pattern, the tile reinforces the midcentury-inspired design.
Backsplash: Celine in Sage, 2 by 6 inches, Bedrosians
A larger island now provides ample seating, storage and a generous work surface topped with polished quartz featuring waterfall ends. The same quartz, used on the perimeter, has a solid white background with subtle reflective flecks that tie in beautifully with the green 2-by-6-inch porcelain backsplash tiles. Installed in a vertical stack pattern, the tile reinforces the midcentury-inspired design.
Backsplash: Celine in Sage, 2 by 6 inches, Bedrosians
Relocating the new matte black French door refrigerator opened space to shift the 30-inch black gas smart range and extend the surrounding countertop and cabinetry. A matte black microwave drawer now tucks into the island, clearing the focal wall to showcase the green backsplash tile. A sleek custom vent hood in natural cherry matches the cabinetry and conceals a custom insert with dimmable LED lighting.
Smart storage boosts function throughout. A pullout to the left of the range houses a knife block and utensil canisters, while a pullout to the right organizes spices and cooking essentials. The island interior includes cutlery drawers, three deep storage drawers and a mixer-lift cabinet. Between the range and new workstation sink, a blind corner hides a wood-and-chrome pullout for easy access. A dedicated coffee station rounds out the upgrades.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Smart storage boosts function throughout. A pullout to the left of the range houses a knife block and utensil canisters, while a pullout to the right organizes spices and cooking essentials. The island interior includes cutlery drawers, three deep storage drawers and a mixer-lift cabinet. Between the range and new workstation sink, a blind corner hides a wood-and-chrome pullout for easy access. A dedicated coffee station rounds out the upgrades.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
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1. Thoughtful Layout With Green Cabinets
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Size: 159 square feet (15 square meters), plus a mudroom and bar area of 231 square feet (21 square meters)
Designer: Amanda Colosi Johnson of McGuire + Co. Kitchen & Bath
Before: This Wakefield, Massachusetts, family of five had grown weary of its U-shaped kitchen and its dark brown and cottage green cabinetry, vinyl tile flooring and standard appliances. A large refrigerator jutted awkwardly from the cabinetry, while a peninsula with two backless stools and hard-to-reach drawers separated the kitchen from the adjoining bar and mudroom.
Having previously collaborated with McGuire + Co. Kitchen & Bath on a full bathroom remodel, the homeowners returned to the team for their kitchen. Rather than moving walls, lead designer Amanda Colosi Johnson focused on maximizing the existing footprint while giving the space a stylish, functional upgrade.