Small Kitchen Remodel Before-and-After Photos to Inspire You

BEFORE: In Need of a U-Turn

In addition to being not much to look at, an awkward U-shape layout in this small kitchen hemmed people in. It also made for inefficient traffic flow between the adjacent living and dining areas.

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AFTER: Blue Beauty

Nixing the peninsula in favor of a slim island proved to be a game-changing choice. Blue cabinetry contrasts with dark hickory floors, while brushed-metal drawer pulls give a nod to the room's underlying rustic aesthetic.

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BEFORE: Basic Box

This small kitchen in the home of blogger Melissa Michaels (The Inspired Room) wasn't bad; it just lacked the personality and openness Melissa wanted in the hub of her home. A traffic-stopping peninsula that lacked storage caused problems in this builder-grade kitchen. To make impactful changes with only minor remodeling, Michaels took a good look at her kitchen and worked with what she had to create a fresh space.

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AFTER: Fresh and Functional

BHG Melissa Michaels Kitchen — Melissa Michaels was able to give her kitchen a bright, airy update on a minimal budget and without major disruption thanks to some scrappy thinking.

Melissa Michaels gave her kitchen a bright, airy update on a minimal budget without significant disruption, thanks to some scrappy thinking. Ripping out the peninsula and upper cabinets allowed an open and airy feel. Quartz countertops, a tile backsplash, and a slender island in shades of white gave the kitchen a visual facelift, as did painting the lower cabinets a sumptuous shade of gray. A sleek range hood took over the space once occupied by the microwave, which moved to the wall by the refrigerator.

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BEFORE: Outdated and Dingy

A clunky layout and even clunkier cabinets, (as seen in this before photo of a small kitchen remodel), left this 1943 kitchen lacking in modern efficiencies and style.

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AFTER: Red Hot

The game-changer for this small kitchen remodel was in keeping the same basic footprint, but reworking the layout. Glossy red cabinets from IKEA capture a sleek, modern look on a real-world budget. Do-it-yourself concrete countertops were a cost-effective approach to a high-end look. The counter-depth refrigerator has the appearance of a built-in model but is more affordable. Finally, 24x24-inch floor tiles and a stainless-steel backsplash complement the room's modern leanings.

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BEFORE: Small and Dark

The homeowner was willing to live within her kitchen's 15x7 footprint, but she wanted to address its frumpy facade.

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AFTER: Peppy Update

Widening the doorway into the dining room was an instant brightener and visual space-extender. Juicy-orange lower cabinets in a lacquered finish provide a whimsical pop of glossy color. Chrome cabinet pulls complement the quartz-surfacing countertop, which sports silvery-gray flecks. Open shelving and white beaded board add a classic touch befitting the home's 1875 origins. New dishwasher drawers hide behind cabinet fronts, giving the lower cabinets a more continuous look.

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BEFORE: Stuck in a Timewarp

This kitchen had barely been updated in 60 years. As a result, not only did it lack a sense of style, but its narrow and boxy footprint was a dysfunctional mess.

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AFTER: Up-to-Date Vintage

For this small kitchen remodel, the narrow 9-foot width was maintained, but a wall between the kitchen and dining room was removed. This small change (plus the relocation of appliances) improved both sight lines and traffic flow. Bright white cabinets, large floor tiles, a sleek range hood, a stainless-steel cooktop, and a built-in oven exhibit a fresh vintage style. Blue and yellow accents shine against crisp neutrals and add to the vintage aesthetic—as do the butcher-block countertops, porcelain apron-front sink, and classic cabinet pulls.

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BEFORE: Little but Loved

A sunny yellow color scheme and printed wallpaper dated this small but hardworking kitchen. The homeowners looked for unexpected ways to snag square footage and boost the function in this small kitchen remodel.

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AFTER: Gorgeous in Gray

To put every inch of space to use in this small kitchen remodel, a back porch was rebuilt as a breakfast nook. Cabinets extend to the ceiling to maximize storage with a depth of 15 inches deep versus the standard 12 inches. A tone-on-tone color scheme, like this warm gray palette, keeps the eye moving and visually expands the space. A petite island offers an additional prep surface and storage.

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BEFORE: Out with the Old

When planning a remodel, ask yourself what you use and what you don't. Here, a bulky desk was removed and replaced with an unobtrusive cooking zone that reclaims storage space and creates better flow and functionality.

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AFTER: Modern-Minded

Removing the desk made room for smart storage. A small pot rack puts often-used cookware in easy reach of the range while freeing up cabinet space. Clean lines—including the kitchen's built-in fridge, linear hardware, and fuss-free cabinetry—and an absence of ornate detail keep this small kitchen clutter-free. Open shelves are an airy touch in the kitchen's original hearth.

A small kitchen remodel doesn’t have to be costly—and it doesn’t always require the removal of walls. When space (and your budget) is limited, focus on making the space you have as efficient as
possible. For comfort and safety, keep the kitchen “work triangle” in mind. This means the three primary work zones—the sink, the refrigerator, and the stove—are all within 4 to 9 feet of each other. If necessary, add more counter space for prepping food and storing frequently used small appliances. Sometimes, simply adding a freestanding island or prep table can make an inefficient kitchen feel more functional.

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