Narrow Kitchen Goes From Dark and Cramped to Bright and Breezy
Hardworking storage, handmade tile, calming blue paint and thoughtful details transform a tight space
After buying a townhome in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, these parents of two young children hired Habitar Design for a full remodel. In the 165-square-foot kitchen, dark cabinetry and limited storage made the narrow room feel even more cramped. Designer Renata Malafaia reimagined the kitchen, adding full-height storage, extending the upper cabinets and backsplash to the ceiling and installing more efficient cabinetry. To brighten the space, she chose a lighter palette, infusing it with warmth through small details with character.
Before Photo
After: Creating a bright, open space was a priority, and Malafaia leveraged a range of design strategies to achieve this. “Taking the cabinets up to the ceiling and removing the header made the kitchen look so much taller,” she says. Now there’s a clear view of the kitchen from floor to ceiling.
Wall paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams
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Wall paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams
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Another visual trick was leaving space between the right-side cabinetry and the end of the kitchen wall. “I always try to leave a little breathing room past the end of a cabinet run,” Malafaia says. As a bonus, the space beyond the cabinets created an ideal spot for pet bowls.
10 Clever Ways to Finish a Kitchen Cabinet Run
10 Clever Ways to Finish a Kitchen Cabinet Run
Before Photo
Before: Along the back wall, the fridge protruded past the countertop, and the space between the upper and lower cabinets was underutilized.
After: Malafaia filled the back wall around the refrigerator with cabinetry. For a seamless look and efficiency, she recommended a panel-front counter-depth fridge and a hardworking pullout pantry cabinet.
“The homeowners are very into transitional style, and they like clean lines,” the designer says. “They wanted their kitchen to feel brighter and not so heavy. We modernized it while adding character and charm.” The beaded Shaker-style cabinetry, painted in a soft, calming blue (Sherwin-Williams Stardew), balances traditional style with clean, modern lines. “It took a while to find just the right blue,” Malafaia says. “This one is dusky with misty undertones.”
While her clients assumed silver finishes like polished nickel would best complement the cool blue, the designer steered them toward warm brass tones. “Otherwise the room would have felt way too cold,” she says.
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“The homeowners are very into transitional style, and they like clean lines,” the designer says. “They wanted their kitchen to feel brighter and not so heavy. We modernized it while adding character and charm.” The beaded Shaker-style cabinetry, painted in a soft, calming blue (Sherwin-Williams Stardew), balances traditional style with clean, modern lines. “It took a while to find just the right blue,” Malafaia says. “This one is dusky with misty undertones.”
While her clients assumed silver finishes like polished nickel would best complement the cool blue, the designer steered them toward warm brass tones. “Otherwise the room would have felt way too cold,” she says.
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Before Photo
Before: The existing garden window was an asset, but the granite and backsplash paired with dark blue cabinetry made the room feel gloomy and a bit dingy.
After: The new window trim matches the rest of the moldings, and a linen Roman shade filters natural light when needed.
This area includes a two-drawer panel-front dishwasher and a trash pullout to the left of the sink. On the right side, an appliance garage conceals the microwave and toaster.
The one-hole faucet has a clean, modern silhouette, while knurled accents create visual interest.
Dishwasher: Fisher-Paykel; cabinet pulls: Charlotte in Honey Bronze, Top Knobs; faucet, soap dispenser and disposal button: Brizo; counters: Calacatta Lincoln Evoke quartz, TM Supply
This area includes a two-drawer panel-front dishwasher and a trash pullout to the left of the sink. On the right side, an appliance garage conceals the microwave and toaster.
The one-hole faucet has a clean, modern silhouette, while knurled accents create visual interest.
Dishwasher: Fisher-Paykel; cabinet pulls: Charlotte in Honey Bronze, Top Knobs; faucet, soap dispenser and disposal button: Brizo; counters: Calacatta Lincoln Evoke quartz, TM Supply
Special hinges on the garage door make it easy to open. “These hinges are a fantastic product,” Malafaia says. “You can lift the door to any height and it stays there. It doesn’t fly up to the top position or slam down to the bottom.”
Originally the designer specified quartzite countertops, but the homeowners decided on quartz instead. “This one has minimal veining that mimics natural stone,” Malafaia says.
5 Must-Have Features for a Small Kitchen
Originally the designer specified quartzite countertops, but the homeowners decided on quartz instead. “This one has minimal veining that mimics natural stone,” Malafaia says.
5 Must-Have Features for a Small Kitchen
This view from the hallway reveals the 12-by-24-inch porcelain floor tiles and a new ceiling light over the sink. “There had not been a light there before,” Malafaia says. “It’s a functional touch that adds so much character.” Undercabinet LED strip lights illuminate the countertops.
Handmade square zellige backsplash tiles cover the room’s open wall space, introducing subtle texture and depth. Extending the backsplash to the ceiling eliminates a horizontal line and visually heightens the space.
Ceiling light: Pottery Barn
Handmade square zellige backsplash tiles cover the room’s open wall space, introducing subtle texture and depth. Extending the backsplash to the ceiling eliminates a horizontal line and visually heightens the space.
Ceiling light: Pottery Barn
The oven’s placement maximizes prep space, while a pot filler saves trips from sink to range — especially helpful with toddlers and pets underfoot.
Backsplash tile: 4 by 4 inches in Pure White, Zia Tile; pot filler: Brizo
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Backsplash tile: 4 by 4 inches in Pure White, Zia Tile; pot filler: Brizo
Find a kitchen remodeler on Houzz
Across from the range, a niche keeps the kitchen from feeling overcrowded with cabinetry. Ribbed glass on the upper cabinet fronts enhances the open look and adds texture. The symmetry of the composition is visually pleasing, and the countertop space creates a handy spot for laying out ingredients, particularly when baking.
The tall cabinets around the niche are outfitted with rollout drawers. Full-height cabinetry pushes the highest shelves out of reach, so the homeowners store less-used items above and use a small stepladder when needed.
The tall cabinets around the niche are outfitted with rollout drawers. Full-height cabinetry pushes the highest shelves out of reach, so the homeowners store less-used items above and use a small stepladder when needed.
Before Photo
Before: The microwave was above the range, and the floor-to-ceiling cabinet on the left gave the kitchen a dark, tunnel-like feel.
After: Malafaia installed upper and lower cabinets on the left to expand the prep area around the range and create an enhanced sense of space. With the microwave tucked away in the appliance garage, the couple were excited about the opportunity to add a range hood. The custom hood, painted to match the cabinets, contributes to the kitchen’s seamless and refined look.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family of four
Location: Chicago
Size: 165 square feet (15 square meters)
Designer: Renata Malafaia of Habitar Design
Before: A header that contained a plumbing stack partially blocked the view from the dining room into the kitchen. Malafaia removed it to open up the space — a fortunate decision as demolition revealed a hidden leak inside that could have caused damage.