Before & After: A 1950s Ranch Kitchen Gets Its First Makeover in 60 Years

There are plenty of good things about buying a house from the original owner. No questions about when appliances were replaced, when work was done, or whether there’s a reason for that sticky window in the guest room. But the downside? The house might be in need of a major update.

Emily found herself in this situation when she bought a 1950s ranch house from the original owner. Here’s how her kitchen looked before. Get ready for a major update.

The first step was getting rid of the outdated linoleum tile that was also crumbling underneath their feet. Once the tile was replaced with hardwood floors, it was time to tackle the appliances.

Because they opted for a larger refrigerator, they removed a cabinet from the kitchen, which also allowed them to install a dishwasher. And look at that red stove! Beautiful!

Most of the rest of the changes were cosmetic — painting the cabinets and replacing the hardware and hinges; changing light fixtures and installing new ones; and reglazing the countertops.

Emily actually wrote that she took pointers from a previous before and after on The Kitchn:

“We were inspired by a kitchen featured on The Kitchn, and actually used the paint colors featured in the kitchen. The transformation was amazing and we could not be happier!”

While the kitchen is still a work-in-progress, they are still planning to get a built-in dishwasher and permanent countertop, we think it looks like a great update!

Thanks for sharing your kitchen with us, Emily!

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