This kitchen doesn't look too shabby, right? Well, this is the before. The after looks fairly similar, but with some really smart changes that greatly improve functionality without requiring a complete transformation. Can you spot them below?
The biggest improvement, we think, is the cabinets. So many standard kitchens have cabinets that don't reach the ceiling—such wasted, dusty space! The new cabinets add much more storage where you can put items you don't need every day.
The other crucial change is the overhang of the countertop, which creates a breakfast bar. Such a simple, subtle design tweak, and yet it completely transforms the countertop into a much more usable space.
Of course, there are upgrades in the materials and the backsplash tiles, too. But overall these are relatively inexpensive changes you can make without demolishing the entire room or reconfiguring the layout.
• See the renovation at Canadian House & Home
What do you think?
Related: The $30 Kitchen Makeover
(Images: Mark Burstyn and Andrew Grinton/Canadian House & Home)
How To Make Cake Pops
12 Recipes to Know By Heart
Like us on Facebook
Our reading list
RSS Feed (Atom)
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Valentine's Ice Cre...
Aftermarket Resources for Customizing IKEA Furniture 
Ashley & Kyle's Personality Packed Home 
Comments (16)
Wow! The kitchen wasn't bad at all before, but it looks amazing now! Very cool.
new stove, new fridge, new countertops (with bar extension), new sink, new faucet, new cabinet hardware, shorter cabinet over stove, hood to microwave, added upper cabinets, got rid of a pot rack, added pendant lights, new backsplash, added paneling to peninsula...
Gee, it is serendipity day. I want to do just that to my island (the beadboard/paneling overlay to the base). Thanks AT!
The bottom freezer on the new fridge is also such a nice thing. And removing the pot rack over the island makes for a more open look. It does kind of look like they removed their extractor fan and replaced it with an over-stove microwave, which I think would be serious downgrade, though...
Don't underestimate the pendants over the peninsula! Good lighting is HUGE in a kitchen... and I agree with you angorian... over-stove micros just don't remove enough smoke etc. - especially when placed over a gas range.
That outlet at the end of the bar was probably really useful. For plugging in an appliance there or even like to plug in a laptop if you're working at that bar and the battery runs low. I probably would have kept it. Perhaps they moved it to under the new counter overhang.
@angorian: My parents have a microwave over the stove. It's actually matched to the stove and the underside has an extractor fan. Saves counter space without losing much functionality.
It also helps that they found places to put all that stuff that was cluttering up the counter. Love the dark countertops.
ABreadADay.com
I wouldn't underestimate the expenses involved. When you add up the new appliances, cabinets, backsplash ties, countertop, lights, plus labor, I bet it wasn't exactly cheap.
The beauty of redo-ing your kitchen (like they practically did with so many new appliances & extras) is getting a new look...this was a huge expense for such a subtle change. The old appliances looked fine, seemed silly to get rid of them.
The plug at the end of the bar is still there... I can see it. It blends nicely into the new backsplash though.
Oh wait... you were referring to the one on the side of the island. My bad :)
Nikeairmax4U? Looks like Apartment Therapy is being spam-blasted or whatever that is called. If you go to the profile link, it has generated messages on a whole lot (if not all) of the current apartment therapy posts. Sigh.
But on the subject of the kitchen? It is a beautiful clean simple redesign. I love it. We have a kitchen remodel coming soon and I will bookmark this to show my husband.
We have too consider expanded storage. Taller cabinets!
I looked at it and thought it was fresher, cleaner, more inviting.
And then spotted only the bright green apples and plants as the changes.
@alaylam: yeah, well, it's connected to the wall and the rest of the countertops, so I didn't exactly want to call it an island.
@freyalei: can we also consider the people who post a link to their site at the end of each post to be spam-blasting as well?
I am curious, where does one buy cabinets that are such a perfect match? I always thought it would be a nice touch to extend the cabinets in my kitchen, but have no idea where the previous owners found the cabinets/stain/pulls, etc...
I know this post is a few months old but can anyone guess on the dimensions of this space? I have a kitchen that is in dire need of renovation and this might just be the perfect inspiration kitchen. Thanks!