Kitchen Design
Before and After: 5 Kitchen Makeovers in 200 to 245 Square Feet
See how remodeling made these kitchens more beautiful and more functional for their owners
No matter its size, any kitchen can be configured to work more efficiently for its owners. The following makeovers of five kitchens — ranging from 200 to 245 square feet — show how a remodel can really make a difference in terms of both function and style.
These five rooms are right in the sweet spot for homeowners on Houzz, since nearly half (49%) of remodeled kitchens are 200 square feet or larger, according to the 2020 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Which before-and-after photos do you find most inspirng?
These five rooms are right in the sweet spot for homeowners on Houzz, since nearly half (49%) of remodeled kitchens are 200 square feet or larger, according to the 2020 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Which before-and-after photos do you find most inspirng?
After: To create better traffic flow, designer Wendy Glaister extended the house 6 feet toward the backyard, adding 60 square feet to the kitchen’s footprint. She eliminated the dropped ceiling and created a beautiful view by adding a large fixed-panel window with sidelights that can provide ventilation. Glaister moved the range to this new window wall, selecting a copper-finish hood from Mexico.
An undermount farmhouse ceramic sink is located in the new island. Thin bricks add charm to the walls. The custom Shaker-style cabinets are alder and the hardware is oil-rubbed bronze.
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An undermount farmhouse ceramic sink is located in the new island. Thin bricks add charm to the walls. The custom Shaker-style cabinets are alder and the hardware is oil-rubbed bronze.
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The wall opposite the sink has abundant storage and a place to display the homeowners’ pretty glassware collection. Notice the wide lanes that allow people and dogs to circulate with ease. The cabinets around the stainless refrigerator act as a pantry, holding food items and small appliances. The floor is luxury plank vinyl.
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“After” photos by Mindy Nicole Photography
2. Stainless Eyesore to Cohesive Flow
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Nate and Ashley Fuller and their three young children (two toddlers and a newborn)
Location: North Park neighborhood of San Diego
Size: 245 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Hope Pinc Design
Before: The homeowners found the soapstone countertops in their existing L-shaped kitchen hard to maintain, and counter space itself was lacking. The cabinets were covered with layers of paint and the drawers often got stuck due to old wood glides. The couple also felt the stainless refrigerator was too large a visual presence.
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2. Stainless Eyesore to Cohesive Flow
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Nate and Ashley Fuller and their three young children (two toddlers and a newborn)
Location: North Park neighborhood of San Diego
Size: 245 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Hope Pinc Design
Before: The homeowners found the soapstone countertops in their existing L-shaped kitchen hard to maintain, and counter space itself was lacking. The cabinets were covered with layers of paint and the drawers often got stuck due to old wood glides. The couple also felt the stainless refrigerator was too large a visual presence.
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After: Moving the refrigerator to the wall opposite the sink allowed designer Hope Pinc to extend the short countertop and cabinet run, helping open up the layout and enabling the family to make better use of the breakfast nook.
New paint-grade maple cabinets and drawers in off-white (Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams) gave the homeowners the easy-access storage they wanted. Gray walls (Foggy Day by Dunn-Edwards) and white wainscoting and trim (Extra White by Sherwin-Williams) contrast with the new 2½-inch oak plank flooring, which matches the home’s existing hardwood floors.
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New paint-grade maple cabinets and drawers in off-white (Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams) gave the homeowners the easy-access storage they wanted. Gray walls (Foggy Day by Dunn-Edwards) and white wainscoting and trim (Extra White by Sherwin-Williams) contrast with the new 2½-inch oak plank flooring, which matches the home’s existing hardwood floors.
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The existing windows and original open shelves over the sink have been sanded and repainted. Inside-mount woven shades help block light when needed while showing off the window frames as part of the design.
The stainless dishwasher to the right of the farmhouse sink stands out far less than the oversize stainless refrigerator did before the remodel. Graphic porcelain tiles add color to the range backsplash.
Adjustable sconce: Morland 1-Light in English Bronze, Savoy House
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The stainless dishwasher to the right of the farmhouse sink stands out far less than the oversize stainless refrigerator did before the remodel. Graphic porcelain tiles add color to the range backsplash.
Adjustable sconce: Morland 1-Light in English Bronze, Savoy House
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Photos by Spacecrafting
3. Basic and Awkward to Midcentury-Inspired
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple who both work as business consultants
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Designer: Kimberly Herrick of Herrick Design Group
Before: The homeowners disliked both the layout and the finishes of their kitchen. The refrigerator was centered on the back wall, creating an odd focal point, and the range was in the island, an equally awkward layout choice. The couple also didn’t care for the basic white cabinets.
3. Basic and Awkward to Midcentury-Inspired
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple who both work as business consultants
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Designer: Kimberly Herrick of Herrick Design Group
Before: The homeowners disliked both the layout and the finishes of their kitchen. The refrigerator was centered on the back wall, creating an odd focal point, and the range was in the island, an equally awkward layout choice. The couple also didn’t care for the basic white cabinets.
After: Designer Kimberly Herrick removed everything from the old kitchen, including the pony walls that separated the dining and living areas. She ran with the homeowners’ love of midcentury modern furniture and art and selected walnut cabinetry. The grain runs horizontally and Herrick had the patterns matched to create a unified look. Windows and sliding glass doors let in lots of natural light.
Now the refrigerator is on the right and the range and hood are on the back wall. Open shelves surrounding the hood help the room feel less cluttered.
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Now the refrigerator is on the right and the range and hood are on the back wall. Open shelves surrounding the hood help the room feel less cluttered.
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The couple’s midcentury dining set inspired the choice of walnut for the kitchen cabinets.
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Read more about this kitchen
Photos by Erin Kelly
4. Beyond Dated to Modern Industrial
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Pittsburgh
Size: The kitchen is 215 square feet (20 square meters) and the breakfast room is 110 square feet (10 square meters)
Designer: Katy Popple Design
Before: This late-1800s Pittsburgh home contained few features the homeowners wanted to retain. The kitchen was essentially a cramped room with dark carpet, a large vintage sink and a few cabinet boxes.
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4. Beyond Dated to Modern Industrial
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Pittsburgh
Size: The kitchen is 215 square feet (20 square meters) and the breakfast room is 110 square feet (10 square meters)
Designer: Katy Popple Design
Before: This late-1800s Pittsburgh home contained few features the homeowners wanted to retain. The kitchen was essentially a cramped room with dark carpet, a large vintage sink and a few cabinet boxes.
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After: This photo was taken from a similar angle as the previous photo. The designer exposed the brick fireplace, expanded the openings to the back room and raised the ceilings to 11 feet.
The homeowners wanted a big island with a sink, open shelves and modern-industrial style. The backsplash beside the range is white subway tile with medium-tone grout. The countertops are off-white quartz with marble veining.
Ford pulley pendant: Light Society
The homeowners wanted a big island with a sink, open shelves and modern-industrial style. The backsplash beside the range is white subway tile with medium-tone grout. The countertops are off-white quartz with marble veining.
Ford pulley pendant: Light Society
5. Light Oak and Pink to Painted White and Gray
“After” photos by Andy Ryan Photographer
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Jim and Noriko Whittaker
Location: North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Size: About 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Design consultant: Richard Mooradian of Kitchen Magic
Before: The homeowners had lived with the existing kitchen and its light wood cabinets, pink tiles and sink, and beige counters for nearly 14 years. They were tired of the finishes and wanted a totally new look for the kitchen. Refacing the cabinets, they realized, would help save money.
The adjoining space with windows that’s visible in this photo is a sunroom.
“After” photos by Andy Ryan Photographer
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Jim and Noriko Whittaker
Location: North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Size: About 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Design consultant: Richard Mooradian of Kitchen Magic
Before: The homeowners had lived with the existing kitchen and its light wood cabinets, pink tiles and sink, and beige counters for nearly 14 years. They were tired of the finishes and wanted a totally new look for the kitchen. Refacing the cabinets, they realized, would help save money.
The adjoining space with windows that’s visible in this photo is a sunroom.
After: Design consultant Richard Mooradian helped the couple select new Shaker-style doors for the existing cabinet boxes. The couple also chose satin nickel hardware.
Satin White Statesman cabinet doors and Luna Pearl granite countertops: Kitchen Magic
Satin White Statesman cabinet doors and Luna Pearl granite countertops: Kitchen Magic
The black, gray and white countertops are polished granite and pair nicely with the Carrara marble tile backsplash, which has a glossy finish.
Custom cabinets on the back of the peninsula hold Noriko’s yoga equipment, helping to keep clutter out of the sunroom.
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Custom cabinets on the back of the peninsula hold Noriko’s yoga equipment, helping to keep clutter out of the sunroom.
Read more about this kitchen
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1. Dark Galley to Invitingly Rustic
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Tommy and Kymberli Bazan and their six dogs
Location: Oakdale, California
Size: 205 square feet (19 square meters)
Designer: Wendy Glaister Interiors
Before: The busy household of these homeowners includes six rescue dogs. The couple wanted to get rid of the kitchen’s dark galley-style layout and create an inviting space with plenty of room for the pups. Other pet peeves: the low ceiling and the plant shelf above it, which only served to collect dust.
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