Before and After: 5 Kitchen Makeovers in 150 Square Feet or Less
Pros reimagine layouts and update features to create functional, stylish spaces
Limited space is no match for a soaring imagination. Professionals took these five kitchens, all of which are 150 square feet or less, from sorely cramped to splendid by rearranging layouts, borrowing space and bringing in fresh colors and finishes. Feel like your own space is cramping your cooking or entertaining style? Open up a whole new range of possibilities with the ideas found here.
After: Swartz’s first order of business: removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a more open plan. The added breathing room allowed for a G-shaped layout with appliances and fixtures placed for better flow. To the right of the fridge, a new pass-through to the den (not pictured) helps the cook feel connected rather than closed off.
The kitchen’s new look draws from the homeowners’ memories of romantic French vacations. The green-gray cabinet color (Ash Grey by Farrow & Ball) was inspired by French countryside shutters, while the counter stools, with their creamy upholstery and turned legs in a driftwood finish, nod to bucolic scenes. Flooring of reclaimed white oak with beautiful variations underscores the look and coordinates with the wood floors in adjacent rooms.
Stools: Ernie fabric counter stool in French Cream, New Pacific Direct; pendant lights: Robinson in hand-rubbed antique brass and clear glass by Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort
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The kitchen’s new look draws from the homeowners’ memories of romantic French vacations. The green-gray cabinet color (Ash Grey by Farrow & Ball) was inspired by French countryside shutters, while the counter stools, with their creamy upholstery and turned legs in a driftwood finish, nod to bucolic scenes. Flooring of reclaimed white oak with beautiful variations underscores the look and coordinates with the wood floors in adjacent rooms.
Stools: Ernie fabric counter stool in French Cream, New Pacific Direct; pendant lights: Robinson in hand-rubbed antique brass and clear glass by Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort
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As many items as possible from the old kitchen were recycled or donated, and Swartz was able to repurpose some of the cabinets, giving them a Shaker-style front to match the new ones. Placing the range on the wall seen here and the fridge on the opposite wall created an efficient work triangle with the new apron-front sink.
Swartz selected a Euro-style electric range that includes a convection oven and baking drawer. The 30-inch luxury microwave above it vents to the outside and has a powerful blower that acts like a built-in hood.
The kitchen’s neutral palette never veers into bland territory thanks to special details throughout. For instance, warm greige veining enlivens the pearl white quartz countertops, while intricate crackling animates the greenish beige backsplash tiles.
Backsplash tiles: Magnolia, Fireclay Tile
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Swartz selected a Euro-style electric range that includes a convection oven and baking drawer. The 30-inch luxury microwave above it vents to the outside and has a powerful blower that acts like a built-in hood.
The kitchen’s neutral palette never veers into bland territory thanks to special details throughout. For instance, warm greige veining enlivens the pearl white quartz countertops, while intricate crackling animates the greenish beige backsplash tiles.
Backsplash tiles: Magnolia, Fireclay Tile
Read more about this kitchen makeover
“After” photos by Anastasia Alkema
2. Green-and-White Delight
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Atlanta
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer-builder: Meka Jones of Copper Sky Design + Remodel
Before: A storage shortage left many items without a proper home in this Atlanta bungalow kitchen built in the 1930s. And with little counter space either, things never quite looked tidy. On top of that, the homeowners had to use a step stool to reach some of the shelves, and the kitchen’s color palette and overall style lacked brightness and personality. Enter designer Meka Jones.
2. Green-and-White Delight
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Atlanta
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer-builder: Meka Jones of Copper Sky Design + Remodel
Before: A storage shortage left many items without a proper home in this Atlanta bungalow kitchen built in the 1930s. And with little counter space either, things never quite looked tidy. On top of that, the homeowners had to use a step stool to reach some of the shelves, and the kitchen’s color palette and overall style lacked brightness and personality. Enter designer Meka Jones.
After: Meka borrowed 21 inches of depth from a bedroom closet behind the wall to the right of the stairs — a game changer in a kitchen this size. Then came smart storage, including cabinets in the newly expanded corner, a blind corner insert in the lower cabinets, a slim cabinet in the fridge surround and slender pullouts.
Those extra inches in the corner allowed for an added countertop, made of durable and easy-to-clean quartz. Meka also moved the sink to the left to free up counter space next to the range. And the new sink has inserts such as racks and cutting boards for extra prep space.
A library ladder attached to a brass railing that runs around the room provides a stylish way to access the upper cabinets. When not in use, it hangs straight against the wall near the back door, seen in the next photo.
Custom cabinets: Georgia Cabinet; green cabinet paint: Webster Green, Benjamin Moore; white cabinet paint: Dover White, Sherwin-Williams; countertops: Calico White, MSI
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Those extra inches in the corner allowed for an added countertop, made of durable and easy-to-clean quartz. Meka also moved the sink to the left to free up counter space next to the range. And the new sink has inserts such as racks and cutting boards for extra prep space.
A library ladder attached to a brass railing that runs around the room provides a stylish way to access the upper cabinets. When not in use, it hangs straight against the wall near the back door, seen in the next photo.
Custom cabinets: Georgia Cabinet; green cabinet paint: Webster Green, Benjamin Moore; white cabinet paint: Dover White, Sherwin-Williams; countertops: Calico White, MSI
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The new back door has more window panes to welcome in natural light, while the green-and-white color palette creates a refreshing feel. And special touches abound, adding personality and polish. A custom mosaic floor design speaks to one of the owners’ love of Art Deco, as does the faceted crystal pendant light. Zellige tile on the backsplash has subtle variations in color, and brass details throughout, such as the grilles on some of the cabinet doors, add gleam.
Zellige tile: Cloe 5-by-5-inch, Bedrosians
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Zellige tile: Cloe 5-by-5-inch, Bedrosians
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“After” photos by Pawel Dmytrow | PDETPhotography
3. Taking a Neutral Tone
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Joseph De Vito and Adriana Carrasco
Location: Chicago
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Cabinetmakers: Kornel Tadeuszuk and Kyle Kiperman of CraftedWild Cabinetry
Before: Joseph De Vito and Adriana Carrasco had a sentimental attachment to their condo on the upper floor of a two-story 1871 Chicago building, where De Vito’s grandparents once lived. But they were ready to let go of the kitchen’s aging fixtures and appliances, low ceiling, vinyl flooring and overall murky look. De Vito, who runs a fast-food business on the lower level, acted as project manager on the overhaul.
3. Taking a Neutral Tone
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Joseph De Vito and Adriana Carrasco
Location: Chicago
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Cabinetmakers: Kornel Tadeuszuk and Kyle Kiperman of CraftedWild Cabinetry
Before: Joseph De Vito and Adriana Carrasco had a sentimental attachment to their condo on the upper floor of a two-story 1871 Chicago building, where De Vito’s grandparents once lived. But they were ready to let go of the kitchen’s aging fixtures and appliances, low ceiling, vinyl flooring and overall murky look. De Vito, who runs a fast-food business on the lower level, acted as project manager on the overhaul.
After: Raising the ceiling from 8 feet to 12 feet, adding a skylight plus a 4-by-8-foot fixed window and swapping the solid balcony door for a glass-paneled model opened up the space beautifully. De Vito then brought in cabinetmakers Kornel Tadeuszuk and Kyle Kiperman to create both flat-panel white cabinets and warm wood-look laminate units for plenty of storage and welcoming contemporary style.
De Vito carried the brightness and clean, neutral look throughout the rest of the kitchen with a white ceiling and walls and large white porcelain floor tiles. But he balanced all of that with warm, textural elements: Engineered white oak flooring runs from under the island into the living room, hammered brass dome pendant lights glow above, and the stools are clad in a tactile fabric.
Cabinets: Eurodekor laminate in Vicenza Oak and Elegante Matte White, Egger; wall and ceiling paint: All White, Farrow & Ball
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De Vito carried the brightness and clean, neutral look throughout the rest of the kitchen with a white ceiling and walls and large white porcelain floor tiles. But he balanced all of that with warm, textural elements: Engineered white oak flooring runs from under the island into the living room, hammered brass dome pendant lights glow above, and the stools are clad in a tactile fabric.
Cabinets: Eurodekor laminate in Vicenza Oak and Elegante Matte White, Egger; wall and ceiling paint: All White, Farrow & Ball
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The new balcony door is topped by a transom window to draw in even more light. Bianco Venatino white marble adds elegance in the form of a slab backsplash, while white quartz countertops keep the clean look going. Notice also the lack of cabinet hardware for a minimalist feel.
All-new appliances grace the space too. Near the door is a stainless steel electric convection wall oven with built-in microwave. A stainless steel gas cooktop sits in the center of the back wall, and to the right of that is a 36-inch French door refrigerator with the same white laminate fronts as the surrounding cabinetry (not seen). To the right of the sink, with its zesty orange faucet top, the undercounter nook now holds a dishwasher instead of the stool shown.
One sweet final touch: A brass plaque to the left of the balcony door dedicates the home to De Vito’s grandparents.
Appliances: ADA 800 Series gas cooktop in stainless steel, 30 inches, and 500 Series combination oven in stainless steel, 30 inches, both by Bosch
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All-new appliances grace the space too. Near the door is a stainless steel electric convection wall oven with built-in microwave. A stainless steel gas cooktop sits in the center of the back wall, and to the right of that is a 36-inch French door refrigerator with the same white laminate fronts as the surrounding cabinetry (not seen). To the right of the sink, with its zesty orange faucet top, the undercounter nook now holds a dishwasher instead of the stool shown.
One sweet final touch: A brass plaque to the left of the balcony door dedicates the home to De Vito’s grandparents.
Appliances: ADA 800 Series gas cooktop in stainless steel, 30 inches, and 500 Series combination oven in stainless steel, 30 inches, both by Bosch
Read more about this kitchen transformation
“After” photos by J.L. Jordan Photography
4. Seeing the Light
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Bobby Clifton and Susan Frockt and their two golden retrievers
Location: The historic Cherokee Triangle neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky
Size: 136 square feet (13 square meters) with new bar
Designers: Mary Culbertson and Susan Haggblom of Centered Interiors
Builder: Redsmith Construction
Before: While this 1905 Foursquare home in a historic Kentucky neighborhood features many noteworthy architectural details, the kitchen was notable more for what it lacked: space, light and connection. At 128 square feet, it could accommodate only one cook at a time. The fridge was partially blocking the already limited natural light. The space felt closed off, and its looks were nothing to write home about.
The homeowners hired designers Mary Culbertson and Susan Haggblom, sisters who had already updated other areas in the home, to give the kitchen a major makeover.
4. Seeing the Light
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Bobby Clifton and Susan Frockt and their two golden retrievers
Location: The historic Cherokee Triangle neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky
Size: 136 square feet (13 square meters) with new bar
Designers: Mary Culbertson and Susan Haggblom of Centered Interiors
Builder: Redsmith Construction
Before: While this 1905 Foursquare home in a historic Kentucky neighborhood features many noteworthy architectural details, the kitchen was notable more for what it lacked: space, light and connection. At 128 square feet, it could accommodate only one cook at a time. The fridge was partially blocking the already limited natural light. The space felt closed off, and its looks were nothing to write home about.
The homeowners hired designers Mary Culbertson and Susan Haggblom, sisters who had already updated other areas in the home, to give the kitchen a major makeover.
After: Down came a wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room, providing a trio of big benefits: 8 extra square feet for the kitchen, a more open feel and increased light from a window in the dining room. A new bar with beverage fridge, seen in the foreground here, lets guests chat with the cook without compromising anyone’s elbow room.
The designers relocated the fridge to the opposite wall, which allowed for more workspace and storage near the range. The move also unblocked that corner window, but the team didn’t stop there; it uncovered a transom window over the door to the backyard to let in even more light.
Other changes speak to increased functionality. Formerly too low and over the range, the microwave now lives in the bar. An undermount single-bowl composite sink replaced the hard-to-clean drop-in version. And power strips were installed under the cabinets so as not to break up the slab backsplash.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
The designers relocated the fridge to the opposite wall, which allowed for more workspace and storage near the range. The move also unblocked that corner window, but the team didn’t stop there; it uncovered a transom window over the door to the backyard to let in even more light.
Other changes speak to increased functionality. Formerly too low and over the range, the microwave now lives in the bar. An undermount single-bowl composite sink replaced the hard-to-clean drop-in version. And power strips were installed under the cabinets so as not to break up the slab backsplash.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Perhaps most striking are the new cabinets, painted a rich green (Sherwin-Williams’ Foxhall Green) that references the greenery-filled view. Hidden inside is specialty storage, such as a tiered spice drawer, a divided knife drawer and even a pullout with dog food bowls.
Touches of green in the polished Calacatta Taupe quartzite countertops and backsplash coordinate with the cabinets, while white oak hardwood flooring adds a warm counterpoint. Two barrel-shaped opal white glass pendant lights add illumination without sacrificing wall or floor space.
Cabinets: Greenfield Cabinetry; cabinet hardware: Channing pull and Kinney cabinet knob, Top Knobs; sink: Precis in Truffle, Blanco; pendant lights: Zumbia 1, ELK Group
Learn more about this project
Touches of green in the polished Calacatta Taupe quartzite countertops and backsplash coordinate with the cabinets, while white oak hardwood flooring adds a warm counterpoint. Two barrel-shaped opal white glass pendant lights add illumination without sacrificing wall or floor space.
Cabinets: Greenfield Cabinetry; cabinet hardware: Channing pull and Kinney cabinet knob, Top Knobs; sink: Precis in Truffle, Blanco; pendant lights: Zumbia 1, ELK Group
Learn more about this project
“After” photos by Adam Potts Photography
5. Contemporary Contrast
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with three kids
Location: San Anselmo, California
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Designer: Marissa Satomi Design
General contractor: John Paul Coffey of AMG Construction
Before: These California homeowners were big on entertaining, but their bungalow kitchen fell short in several ways. It lacked sufficient storage and room for congregating, it was closed off from adjacent rooms and unconnected to the backyard, and its look simply felt uninspired. Plus, a protruding refrigerator impeded traffic flow and made the space a tight squeeze. The homeowners brought on designer Marissa Satomi and contractor John Paul Coffey to tackle all the improvements on their checklist.
5. Contemporary Contrast
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with three kids
Location: San Anselmo, California
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Designer: Marissa Satomi Design
General contractor: John Paul Coffey of AMG Construction
Before: These California homeowners were big on entertaining, but their bungalow kitchen fell short in several ways. It lacked sufficient storage and room for congregating, it was closed off from adjacent rooms and unconnected to the backyard, and its look simply felt uninspired. Plus, a protruding refrigerator impeded traffic flow and made the space a tight squeeze. The homeowners brought on designer Marissa Satomi and contractor John Paul Coffey to tackle all the improvements on their checklist.
After: The team took the kitchen down to the studs. It removed walls to the dining room and bedroom and expanded the kitchen into the latter. This not only opened up the space visually but created room for an island and a long dining table nearby, with plenty of seating for guests.
Satomi also relocated a washer and dryer and then shifted that flow-impeding fridge over, installing a pantry cabinet in its place. New ceiling-height cabinets and floating shelves add storage, and the shelves also help fill what was once a blank wall with an artful display. They’re crafted of solid white oak, which coordinates with the new oak hardwood flooring.
A new custom casement window over the sink adds a connection to the side yard as well as boosts light, and Satomi also updated and enlarged the window on the range wall.
Custom cabinetry: Adam Holm, Pseudo Studio; cabinetry hardware: Trinity in flat black, Emtek; sink: Quatrus, Blanco; faucet: Crue in matte black, Kohler; window over sink: Ultimate, Signature collection, Marvin
Satomi also relocated a washer and dryer and then shifted that flow-impeding fridge over, installing a pantry cabinet in its place. New ceiling-height cabinets and floating shelves add storage, and the shelves also help fill what was once a blank wall with an artful display. They’re crafted of solid white oak, which coordinates with the new oak hardwood flooring.
A new custom casement window over the sink adds a connection to the side yard as well as boosts light, and Satomi also updated and enlarged the window on the range wall.
Custom cabinetry: Adam Holm, Pseudo Studio; cabinetry hardware: Trinity in flat black, Emtek; sink: Quatrus, Blanco; faucet: Crue in matte black, Kohler; window over sink: Ultimate, Signature collection, Marvin
The backdrop of warm white walls, cabinets and ceiling (Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore) gives the dramatic dark details — black cabinet pulls, faucet and granite countertops — their due. Veining in the Statuario Supreme marble slab backsplash adds movement, while two solid brass pendant lights with a matte black finish round out the look and connect the island to the kitchen.
To improve the connection with and views to the backyard, Satomi brought in large foldout glass doors with a modern look. Though you can see only two of them here, there are actually four in a row.
Glass doors: Fleetwood Windows & Doors
Read more about this kitchen makeover
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To improve the connection with and views to the backyard, Satomi brought in large foldout glass doors with a modern look. Though you can see only two of them here, there are actually four in a row.
Glass doors: Fleetwood Windows & Doors
Read more about this kitchen makeover
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
1. French Country Flair
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Norwell, Massachusetts
Size: 144 square feet (13 square meters)
Designer: Raquel Swartz of Seviva Design
Before: The camera’s panorama setting created the bowed appearance of the cabinets in this photo of a Massachusetts kitchen, but the tightly spaced appliances, worn countertops and low-energy look were no illusion. The space also felt closed off, and the checkerboard flooring clashed with wood flooring elsewhere in the home. After 30 years of tolerating the layout and look, the homeowners reached out to designer Raquel Swartz for help.