Before and After: 4 Stylish Kitchens in 250 Square Feet
These efficient spaces feature optimized storage, comfortable layouts and attention-grabbing details
While some dream of having the largest kitchen possible, savvy homeowners know that a kitchen of around 250 square feet can offer a cost-effective and efficient space for cooking and entertaining. A well-designed kitchen this size offers an easy-to-navigate footprint, optimizes storage and promotes a streamlined workflow. Have a look at the following kitchens of about 250 square feet for helpful tips and design ideas you can implement in your own home.
After: Langreck removed the former materials and components. She followed the previous layout but added trim around the opening between the kitchen and mudroom to make the opening as wide as possible. Now frameless cherry cabinets in a low-sheen stain and other wood details add a generous dose of warmth. The lower cabinets and new island are painted a warm yellow (Brittlebush by Sherwin-Williams) that adds sunny contrast.
Langreck incorporated the existing refrigerator but built out tons of storage surrounding it and the nearby window. The island has additional storage and seating on three sides. A wood structure over the island has integrated lights and was stained to match the cherry cabinets.
Cabinetry: Hudson panel door style, cherry in Mission low-sheen stain, Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Langreck incorporated the existing refrigerator but built out tons of storage surrounding it and the nearby window. The island has additional storage and seating on three sides. A wood structure over the island has integrated lights and was stained to match the cherry cabinets.
Cabinetry: Hudson panel door style, cherry in Mission low-sheen stain, Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Before Photo
Photos by Peter Lyons Photography
2. 1920s Spanish Colonial Charm
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A woman and her dog
Location: Kensington, California
Size: 252 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Anne Norton of AND Interior Design Studio
Before: This 1920s Spanish Colonial home in Kensington, California, has a long history, including being the residence of J. Robert Oppenheimer during his time at the University of California, Berkeley. But the home’s funky kitchen with post-and-beam architecture, flat, low, wood-covered ceiling with dark stain, dark floor, dark-stained Douglas fir cabinetry and numerous windows and skylights didn’t share that history; it was added on to the back of the home in the 1970s.
While the layout was good, the kitchen lacked storage. The homeowner, who loves to cook, found designer Anne Norton on Houzz to help her create a kitchen that would flow with the rest of the home’s historic architecture, and would include upgraded cabinetry and a kitchen table where friends and family, especially her grandchildren, could gather around.
2. 1920s Spanish Colonial Charm
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A woman and her dog
Location: Kensington, California
Size: 252 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Anne Norton of AND Interior Design Studio
Before: This 1920s Spanish Colonial home in Kensington, California, has a long history, including being the residence of J. Robert Oppenheimer during his time at the University of California, Berkeley. But the home’s funky kitchen with post-and-beam architecture, flat, low, wood-covered ceiling with dark stain, dark floor, dark-stained Douglas fir cabinetry and numerous windows and skylights didn’t share that history; it was added on to the back of the home in the 1970s.
While the layout was good, the kitchen lacked storage. The homeowner, who loves to cook, found designer Anne Norton on Houzz to help her create a kitchen that would flow with the rest of the home’s historic architecture, and would include upgraded cabinetry and a kitchen table where friends and family, especially her grandchildren, could gather around.
After: While Norton kept the kitchen’s original footprint and its windows and skylights intact, she looked to the ceiling to help her tie the space to the rest of the home. She turned to a structural engineer to help remove the post-and-beam structure. Two new large steel beams were installed to hold up the roof, and the ceiling was raised to 9½ feet at the highest point. A curve added to the ceiling was inspired by the arches in the rest of the home.
Norton then centered the range and vent hood on the curve. A hand-plastered finish on the walls also ties the kitchen to the rest of the house. Benjamin Moore’s Carolina Gull paint for the cabinets brings in a soft, nature-inspired color. With the other elements in the kitchen lightened up, Norton kept the dark floors. A Middle Eastern rug adds a touch of softness and pattern.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Norton then centered the range and vent hood on the curve. A hand-plastered finish on the walls also ties the kitchen to the rest of the house. Benjamin Moore’s Carolina Gull paint for the cabinets brings in a soft, nature-inspired color. With the other elements in the kitchen lightened up, Norton kept the dark floors. A Middle Eastern rug adds a touch of softness and pattern.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Photos by Valerie Wilcox
3. Elegant in Wood and White
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Midhurst, Ontario
Size: 252 square feet (23 square meters); 21 by 12 feet
Designer: Aniko Nicholson Design
Before: The kitchen in this Canadian home felt very dark, even though it was already open-concept. An abundance of orangey-red cherry cabinetry and flooring overwhelmed the space and made it feel busy. A pantry with awkwardly angled walls and lighting needed improvement. The homeowners turned to interior designer Aniko Nicholson to help them transform the space.
3. Elegant in Wood and White
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Midhurst, Ontario
Size: 252 square feet (23 square meters); 21 by 12 feet
Designer: Aniko Nicholson Design
Before: The kitchen in this Canadian home felt very dark, even though it was already open-concept. An abundance of orangey-red cherry cabinetry and flooring overwhelmed the space and made it feel busy. A pantry with awkwardly angled walls and lighting needed improvement. The homeowners turned to interior designer Aniko Nicholson to help them transform the space.
After: Eliminating the pantry with awkwardly angled walls created room for a longer island that measures 10 feet, 2 inches by 4 feet, 5 inches. A new focal point range alcove is centered on the island.
Nicholson carefully balanced wood into the two-tone cabinetry scheme, including reclaimed barn beams like the one seen here over the range. The fridge, at far left, the island base and additional cabinets are beautiful white oak. Ditto for the interior of the display cabinet on the right.
In between the fridge and the range, Nicholson created a convenient beverage station. The other cabinets are painted Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore. The countertops around the perimeter are Ethereal Glow quartz by Silestone, whose tan veining picks up the tones in the white oak cabinetry and the beams. The backsplash is handmade tile in a subtle variety of white and off-white tones. The final result is a farmhouse-style kitchen infused with contemporary touches and a well-balanced mix of beautiful textures.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Nicholson carefully balanced wood into the two-tone cabinetry scheme, including reclaimed barn beams like the one seen here over the range. The fridge, at far left, the island base and additional cabinets are beautiful white oak. Ditto for the interior of the display cabinet on the right.
In between the fridge and the range, Nicholson created a convenient beverage station. The other cabinets are painted Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore. The countertops around the perimeter are Ethereal Glow quartz by Silestone, whose tan veining picks up the tones in the white oak cabinetry and the beams. The backsplash is handmade tile in a subtle variety of white and off-white tones. The final result is a farmhouse-style kitchen infused with contemporary touches and a well-balanced mix of beautiful textures.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Before Photo
“After” photo by Jessica Brydson Photography
4. Relocated and Open
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two toddlers
Location: Orinda, California
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Natalia Avalos Interiors
Before: This California couple with two toddlers felt the location of their 225-square-foot kitchen in a back corner of the home limited their connection to the surrounding living spaces. In addition to the kitchen’s location, the couple disliked its low-hung cabinets, which appeared yellow in the artificial lighting, as well as the basic granite countertops and two-tier island with a raised bar portion that sat only two people. The couple hired designer Natalia Avalos to help them search for a new location within the home that would give them the open-concept, family-friendly kitchen they dreamed of.
4. Relocated and Open
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two toddlers
Location: Orinda, California
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Natalia Avalos Interiors
Before: This California couple with two toddlers felt the location of their 225-square-foot kitchen in a back corner of the home limited their connection to the surrounding living spaces. In addition to the kitchen’s location, the couple disliked its low-hung cabinets, which appeared yellow in the artificial lighting, as well as the basic granite countertops and two-tier island with a raised bar portion that sat only two people. The couple hired designer Natalia Avalos to help them search for a new location within the home that would give them the open-concept, family-friendly kitchen they dreamed of.
Before Photo
Before: Avalos and the homeowners thought this dining room, with its central location and better natural light, would be a good fit for a relocated, more accessible kitchen. The door in the background is the home’s front door.
After: Avalos created the new kitchen in the former dining room while also absorbing a former pantry and a wine room to add 25 square feet to the layout. You can see the home’s front door to the right of the 42-inch stainless steel built-in fridge. Avalos also expanded the windows and vaulted the ceiling for an airier feel.
White perimeter cabinets, ceiling and trim (Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore) enhance the natural light. The walnut island base grounds the room in warmth. Seven-inch-wide white oak floor planks and greige walls (Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore) also balance the room in warm tones. A pair of four-light metal pendants over the island have an hourglass silhouette with hand-wrapped bleached rope and a patinaed brass finish, giving the space a wow factor.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
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White perimeter cabinets, ceiling and trim (Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore) enhance the natural light. The walnut island base grounds the room in warmth. Seven-inch-wide white oak floor planks and greige walls (Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore) also balance the room in warm tones. A pair of four-light metal pendants over the island have an hourglass silhouette with hand-wrapped bleached rope and a patinaed brass finish, giving the space a wow factor.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
More on Houzz
Read more stories about kitchens
See photos of kitchens
Find a pro to work on your kitchen
Shop for kitchen products
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1. Cheerful in Wood and Yellow
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two teenage sons and a puppy
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Size: 245 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Dana Langreck of Bella Domicile
Before: This Madison, Wisconsin, kitchen had basic cabinets that the homeowners tried to perk up by painting the lowers navy blue. But the result clashed with the black granite countertops, and the white ceramic tile flooring gave the space a dated look. The foreground opening connected the kitchen to a spacious mudroom area, but a change from tile to wood flooring meant the island end wasn’t functional.
A pair of pendant lights and a macrame plant holder hung low over the island, obscuring sightlines. In the back right corner, the refrigerator stood on its own without any surrounding cabinetry. Wanting to add more warmth and personality, the homeowners turned to designer Dana Langreck for help.
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