Before and After: 5 Kitchen Makeovers in 225 Square Feet or More
See how designers and remodelers changed layouts and materials to make these kitchens functional and attractive
No matter your kitchen’s size, there’s a way to set it up well for both beauty and function. The following makeovers of five kitchens — which range from 225 square feet to 400 square feet — show how a remodel can really make a kitchen work better for its owners. Which before-and-after photos do you find most inspiring?
Photo by Kyle Ortiz
After: In the new kitchen, the wall has been removed to create a more open space with more light and better flow. The designer created a kitchen island that extends as a dining table with room for eight, maximizing the space.
Shaker-style cabinets in soft gray (Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams) and a marble-look Caesarstone quartz for the countertops, dining table and backsplash create a serene feel.
After: In the new kitchen, the wall has been removed to create a more open space with more light and better flow. The designer created a kitchen island that extends as a dining table with room for eight, maximizing the space.
Shaker-style cabinets in soft gray (Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams) and a marble-look Caesarstone quartz for the countertops, dining table and backsplash create a serene feel.
Photo by Kyle Ortiz
Here’s a view of the kitchen looking out over the living room. As this photo shows, the renovation included raising the ceiling above the dining table so that it tracks the roof’s pitch. Exposing the ceiling’s vaulted structure visually expands the space.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Here’s a view of the kitchen looking out over the living room. As this photo shows, the renovation included raising the ceiling above the dining table so that it tracks the roof’s pitch. Exposing the ceiling’s vaulted structure visually expands the space.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
2. Cramped and Plain to Well-Organized and Upbeat
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Amy and Mike Gennrich and their two kids, ages 12 and 7
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: The combined kitchen and dining area is 400 square feet (37 square meters)
Designer: Justin Quick of CG&S Design-Build
Before: The homeowners like to cook and entertain and felt their existing kitchen was too cramped. The space overlooks a screened porch.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Amy and Mike Gennrich and their two kids, ages 12 and 7
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: The combined kitchen and dining area is 400 square feet (37 square meters)
Designer: Justin Quick of CG&S Design-Build
Before: The homeowners like to cook and entertain and felt their existing kitchen was too cramped. The space overlooks a screened porch.
Photo by Ryan Davis, CG&S Design-Build
After: This is the kitchen after renovation, seen from pretty much the same angle. Removing the wall, window and cabinets over the sink and turning the screened porch into an enclosed dining room created a more open feel. The changes brought the space from 190 square feet for the old kitchen to 400 square feet for the new combined kitchen and dining area. The minty green paint color (Breaktime by Sherwin-Williams) gives the space an upbeat vibe.
Shop for kitchen sinks on Houzz
After: This is the kitchen after renovation, seen from pretty much the same angle. Removing the wall, window and cabinets over the sink and turning the screened porch into an enclosed dining room created a more open feel. The changes brought the space from 190 square feet for the old kitchen to 400 square feet for the new combined kitchen and dining area. The minty green paint color (Breaktime by Sherwin-Williams) gives the space an upbeat vibe.
Shop for kitchen sinks on Houzz
Photo by Ryan Davis, CG&S Design-Build
A counter-depth fridge saved space and efficient storage made room for a beverage center, which includes the microwave, an open area where you see the vase of flowers and a small refrigerator below. Shelves on the end of the island hold cookbooks.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Find a design-build firm in your area on Houzz
A counter-depth fridge saved space and efficient storage made room for a beverage center, which includes the microwave, an open area where you see the vase of flowers and a small refrigerator below. Shelves on the end of the island hold cookbooks.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Find a design-build firm in your area on Houzz
3. Functionally Bad to Efficient and Plaid
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: 345 square feet (32 square meters)
Designer: Camille Henderson Davis of The Niche Home
Before: The homeowners had been living with poor flow in the kitchen for more than a decade since purchasing their home. Aesthetically, the space felt like a mishmash, and it also looked cluttered.
Find an interior designer near you
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: 345 square feet (32 square meters)
Designer: Camille Henderson Davis of The Niche Home
Before: The homeowners had been living with poor flow in the kitchen for more than a decade since purchasing their home. Aesthetically, the space felt like a mishmash, and it also looked cluttered.
Find an interior designer near you
Photo by Jenna Peffley
After: New flat-panel lower cabinets in light gray (color-matched to December Sky by Dunn-Edwards Paints) brighten the kitchen, while bamboo uppers add warmth. The backsplash is subway tile in the client’s favorite colors, laid in a pattern that evokes the look of plaid. A new kitchen island runs parallel to the room’s back wall, better fitting the shape of the room.
Find blue rectangular backsplash tile in the Houzz Shop
After: New flat-panel lower cabinets in light gray (color-matched to December Sky by Dunn-Edwards Paints) brighten the kitchen, while bamboo uppers add warmth. The backsplash is subway tile in the client’s favorite colors, laid in a pattern that evokes the look of plaid. A new kitchen island runs parallel to the room’s back wall, better fitting the shape of the room.
Find blue rectangular backsplash tile in the Houzz Shop
Photo by Jenna Peffley
Where the old kitchen table stood, the designer added two floor-to-ceiling cabinets with a buffet and open shelving between them.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
See more kitchen island photos
Where the old kitchen table stood, the designer added two floor-to-ceiling cabinets with a buffet and open shelving between them.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
See more kitchen island photos
4. Lack of Light to White and Bright
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple (he’s retired; she works part time)
Location: Chatham, Massachusetts
Size: 325 square feet (30 square meters)
Designer: Katelyn Manfredo, architect and project manager of SV Design, which did both the architecture and the interior design
Before: The owners had a 200-square-foot kitchen but no dining space. They had retired to this home and wanted storage for their many kitchen items. They also wanted a larger kitchen and dining space for up to eight people, as well as more natural light.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple (he’s retired; she works part time)
Location: Chatham, Massachusetts
Size: 325 square feet (30 square meters)
Designer: Katelyn Manfredo, architect and project manager of SV Design, which did both the architecture and the interior design
Before: The owners had a 200-square-foot kitchen but no dining space. They had retired to this home and wanted storage for their many kitchen items. They also wanted a larger kitchen and dining space for up to eight people, as well as more natural light.
Photo by Abby Grattan of Grattan Imaging
After: This photo shows the post-renovation space from the same angle as the previous photo. The refrigerator is in nearly the same spot, but the peninsula has been removed and the kitchen itself pushed out to the left through an addition.
After: This photo shows the post-renovation space from the same angle as the previous photo. The refrigerator is in nearly the same spot, but the peninsula has been removed and the kitchen itself pushed out to the left through an addition.
Photo by Abby Grattan of Grattan Imaging
This photo of the renovated space shows the dining area and much of the 10-by-10-foot addition on the back of the house that contains the new kitchen. Adding this square footage and all the windows brought in a flood of natural light.
The homeowners are especially fond of their flat-front cabinets, which are easy to clean. A mirrored cabinet runs along the back wall of the dining area, providing additional storage.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
This photo of the renovated space shows the dining area and much of the 10-by-10-foot addition on the back of the house that contains the new kitchen. Adding this square footage and all the windows brought in a flood of natural light.
The homeowners are especially fond of their flat-front cabinets, which are easy to clean. A mirrored cabinet runs along the back wall of the dining area, providing additional storage.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
5. Low Ceiling to Lifted
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with one child
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters) including the walk-in pantry
Designer: Richard Ryder of Clearcut Construction
Before: The homeowners disliked the 8-foot ceilings in their kitchen so much that they considered moving instead of renovating. Also, the kitchen lacked sufficient prep space. The owners wanted space that would work better for their gatherings of 30 or more people at their home, both indoors and out.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with one child
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters) including the walk-in pantry
Designer: Richard Ryder of Clearcut Construction
Before: The homeowners disliked the 8-foot ceilings in their kitchen so much that they considered moving instead of renovating. Also, the kitchen lacked sufficient prep space. The owners wanted space that would work better for their gatherings of 30 or more people at their home, both indoors and out.
Photo by Bob Fortner Photography
After: The renovation included opening up the floor plan and raising the ceiling. Luckily, unused attic space over the kitchen allowed the designer to push the ceiling to more than 12 feet high and to add exposed beams.
After: The renovation included opening up the floor plan and raising the ceiling. Luckily, unused attic space over the kitchen allowed the designer to push the ceiling to more than 12 feet high and to add exposed beams.
Photo by Bob Fortner Photography
A large kitchen island gave the homeowners the storage and prep space they wanted. The kitchen’s style is now transitional, with marble tile, wood shelves, white cabinets and a dark island base.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
More on Houzz
Before and After: 6 Kitchen Makeovers in 200 Square Feet or Less
New to Houzz? Here’s how to create and use ideabooks
Find a pro
Shop for products
A large kitchen island gave the homeowners the storage and prep space they wanted. The kitchen’s style is now transitional, with marble tile, wood shelves, white cabinets and a dark island base.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
More on Houzz
Before and After: 6 Kitchen Makeovers in 200 Square Feet or Less
New to Houzz? Here’s how to create and use ideabooks
Find a pro
Shop for products
Kitchen and Dining Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with four boys uses this as its vacation home
Location: Lake Forest, California
Size: 225 square feet (21 square meters)
Designer: Anna Shiwlall of 27 Diamonds Interior Design
Before: The homeowners weren’t fans of the mirrored wall that separated the dining room from the kitchen. The ceilings in both spaces were 8 feet high.