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Small Kitchen Makeover

This was a very special project for us because these homeowners reached out to us after we had renovated their son’s home (Renovation Rekindle S1E1:  Narrow Minded Kitchen)!  

They had been living in their 1960’s ranch for over 20 years and were ready for a change.  The small kitchen was challenging because it lacked storage space and the center wall made the space very tight.  Our clients were looking for ways to be creative with some small kitchen design ideas to open up the space, get more storage space, and have a layout that would be more comfortable for family and holiday gatherings.

160 Baldwin Blog Images (1)

BEFORE:  When the home was originally built the front room was the home’s main living room.  At one point a larger living room was added onto the back of the house, so this room can now be converted into a dining room.  In this space the one small built-in is situated over the basement stairs, so the floor is slanted and storage is minimal.

living room conversion to dining room

AFTER:  This wall in the new dining room was converted to a buffet station with gray cabinets to match the kitchen, glass doors, a wood countertop, and oak shelves.

Bar cabinets with glass doors and wood counter top

A view showing the entire wall with a new full depth closet, painted to match the cabinets.  With the wall between the kitchen and front room gone the new accent wall is visible.  The old closet over the basement stairs was converted to a full depth closet, accessible from the kitchen.  Ideas like these in a small kitchen design add organization and much needed storage.

Small kitchen organization ideas with brushed gold sputnik chandelier and bar cabinets

BEFORE:  The old kitchen had outdated cabinets, a microwave over the range, and the wall to the right of the refrigerator is enclosing a working chimney.

Small kitchen ideas before

AFTER:  While the main “L-shape” of the kitchen remained similar to the old layout, removing the wall between the kitchen and the front room gave us enough room to add a large square island with seating on 2 sides.  The new island gave us room to house the microwave, add a trash cabinet, and additional storage.  A square island in a small kitchen is a design idea that helps to maximize seating.  Now that it’s open to the front room there is plenty of space for large dinners and gatherings. The newly vaulted kitchen ceiling also helps to make the space feel bigger. To the right of the fridge we were able to sneak in a broom closet (next to the chimney that’s behind that wall).  Even though it’s not large, adding a small closet like that is the perfect way to organize things like brooms, mops, and cleaning products in a small kitchen.

Small kitchen design ides with square island and gray cabinets. Crate and barrell Maddox black bell pendant large, brushed gold sputnik chandelier

The view from the front room looking into the kitchen. 

Small kitchen design idea with square island and Crate and Barrel Maddox black bell pendant large

Looking into the new dining room and catching a view of the bar cabinets.

Small kitchen ideas dining room with sputnik light fixture
Small kitchen with square island, bar cabinets with glass doors, Pottery Barn curved arm sconce in brass, crate and barrel maddox bell pendant
Small kitchen before
Small kitchen design after

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