Kitchen Makeovers That Wow: Spectacular Transformations From Drab to Fab
Tired of your outdated, lackluster kitchen? Looking for inspiration to finally take on the kitchen remodel you've been dreaming about?
From a dated galley kitchen upgraded with a spacious open concept layout to a dreary, all-white space livened up with pops of texture and color, we've rounded up jaw-dropping remodels that prove it's possible to achieve magazine-worthy kitchens that will make you swoon. Read on for stunning photos, savvy tips, and ideas to ignite your own kitchen remodel.
Dramatic Layout Changes Open Up Small, Cramped Kitchens
Many homeowners find themselves dealing with small, cramped kitchen spaces thanks to awkward layouts featuring closed off galley footprints or poor workflow triangles. By taking down walls, removing peninsulas, and reconfiguring appliance locations, these small kitchens can be completely opened up and transformed into spacious, open concept cooking spaces.
Introducing an island or peninsula provides extra prep and dining space, while removing walls improves sightlines and enhances the perception of spaciousness. Strategically placed lighting, mirrors, and bright colors also help maximize the feeling of openness. The results are stunning kitchens that look and function better than ever.
Example Kitchen Remodels
This galley kitchen was completely closed off from the dining and living spaces. By removing walls and changing the layout, it was opened up into a spacious great room with a large kitchen island for additional prep space.
A cramped kitchen with poor triangle workflow was reconfigured by moving the refrigerator across from the range. An island was added to delineate the kitchen from the living room, improving spaciousness and functionality.
Texture and Color Liven Up Dreary, All-White Kitchens
While pristine all-white kitchens can look crisp initially, this minimalist look often ends up feeling monotonous and stale over time. Incorporating texture and color through cabinetry finishes, bold backsplashes, accent walls, and eclectic decor can inject new life into tired all-white cook spaces.
Think outside the box by mixing materials like wood cabinetry paired with marble counters. Infuse personality with a vintage styled tile backsplash or by painting cabinets in a saturated hue like navy blue. The design options are endless, but a bit of color and texture goes a long way in transforming dreary, all-white kitchens into vibrant showpieces.
All-White Kitchen Makeovers
This all-white kitchen was given a dose of rustic charm with wood open shelving, antique-inspired hardware, and a textural marble herringbone backsplash.
Navy blue lower cabinets paired with crisp white uppers and open shelves helped modernize this outdated all-white kitchen. Gold accents and patterned floor tile complete the stylish transformation.
Outdated Oak Cabinets Give Way To Crisp, Modern White Cabinets
Many older kitchens suffer from heavy, oppressive oak or honey-colored cabinetry, which tends to make kitchens feel dark and dated. A fresh coat of bright white paint is an budget-friendly way to give outdated cabinets a modern facelift. For more dramatic transformations, homeowners opt to replace old cabinet boxes rather than just refacing.
The clean, crisp look of white shaker or recessed panel cabinetry enhances the perception of spaciousness and cleanliness. White cabinetry also serves as a versatile backdrop for colorful accents and hardware. For a slightly softer but still refreshed look, some homeowners opt for light gray or two-tone cabinets, like white uppers and navy lowers.
Oak to White Cabinet Transformation
Dated orange oak cabinets were painted white and given new hardware for a brightness and lightness that complements the airy open concept.
This dark oak kitchen was entirely replaced with shaker style white cabinets, except for the island, which was kept wood for contrast. Stainless steel appliances complement the updated look.
Swapping Out Laminate For Quartz Offers Upscale Elegance
Many kitchens are stuck with outdated plastic laminate countertops that become easily worn and seemingly inexpensive over time. Upgrading to beautiful engineered quartz or natural stone like granite offers upscale elegance instantly.
Unlike granite, quartz requires very minimal maintenance. With options like white Carrara marble looks to bold blues and blacks, quartz offers the luxe appearance of real stone but with enhanced durability. Photos of kitchen makeovers featuring quartz transformations showcase how impactful countertops can be in completely changing the vibe of a kitchen.
Quartz Countertop Upgrades
Dated laminate counters were replaced with white and gray quartzite countertops that mimic marble with lovely veining. The upscale look coordinates beautifully with the new shaker cabinets.
This small outdated kitchen was opened up and given an elegant facelift with crisp white cabinetry and stunning blue quartz countertops that became the focal point.
Statement Backsplashes Become Focal Point
An outdated, failing, or nonexistent backsplash looks uninspired and misses an opportunity to enhance visual appeal. Introducing eye-catching backsplash tile, metal, or glass can create a stunning focal point.
Whether you opt for a crisp white subway tile or bold blue mosaic, a backsplash choice that contrasts against your cabinetry immediately modernizes a kitchen's look. The design options are limitless - get creative with patterns, materials, shapes, and colors to make your new backsplash the star of your kitchen.
Bold Backsplash Transformations
A plain Jane kitchen got a dose of Spanish style with an intricate patterned tile backsplash in bold red, blue, and yellow hues.
This outdated kitchen was taken from bland to bold with a sleek metal and glass backsplash featuring horizontal stripes of silver, copper, and navy blue.
From Fluorescent To Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Makeovers
Harsh, buzzing fluorescent lighting is a staple of old kitchens that lends an unappealing clinical, institutional vibe. Swapping outdated overhead fixtures for gorgeous pendant lights makes a huge impact in elevating kitchen design.
Pendants add soft ambient lighting while task lighting under cabinets and above the sink illuminates workspaces. The result is a kitchen that's both stylish and highly functional. A dimmer switch allows you to set the perfect mood lighting for cooking, dining, or entertaining.
Lighting Upgrade Examples
This dark galley kitchen was brightened up with mid-century inspired brass pendant lights, under cabinet lighting, and new recessed ceiling fixtures for ambiance.
Harsh fluorescent tubes were replaced with elegant black pendant lights complemented by under cabinet lighting for visibility and task lighting inside the new professional range hood.
Trading Out Tired Appliances For Sleek, High-End Options
Even appliances get old and worn down over time, with seal failures, break downs, and efficiency declines after 10 to 15 years. Replacing outdated appliances with top-of-the-line options adds functionality along with major style.
Luxury brands like Wolf, Viking, Miele, and SubZero offer professional-grade performance and sleek stainless or custom colored finishes to match any decor. Smart fridges, steam ovens, and interactive cooktops provide the ultimate in modern convenience.
Appliance Upgrade Examples
This dated kitchen was modernized with a suite of stainless steel appliances from JennAir. The counter depth fridge maximizes space, and the gas range and wall oven uplevel the cooking functionality.
New integrated fridge-freezers blend seamlessly into cabinetry while the intelligently designed steam oven simplifies cooking. The minimalist rangehood mounted flush in the wall maintains sightlines.
Storage Solutions Help Organize Clutter
It's common for kitchens to suffer from a lack of storage space. All those pots, pans, small appliances, and food items need a home. Custom built-in cabinetry, pull-out shelves and drawers, racks, and other smart solutions can help keep kitchen items organized and out of sight.
Pantry closets or floor-to-ceiling larders act like an extended cabinet. Space inside existing cabinets can be maximized to their full potential with internal shelves, dividers, and organizers. The result is a kitchen designed for efficiency where everything has its designated space.
Clever Storage Examples
This cluttered, cramped kitchen gained organized storage with a custom built-in pantry closet. Extra tall cabinetry hides small appliances and maximizes vertical space utilization.
Pull-out drawers under the sink and full extension rollout shelves in lower cabinets optimize storage in this small kitchen while maintaining a streamlined appearance.
Structural Elements Take Kitchen Up a Notch
Beyond surface upgrades like cabinetry and finishes, don't overlook structural improvements that can take your remodel to the next level. Issues like awkward soffits, low ceilings, and poor ventilation impact functionality.
Consider raising the ceiling height or adding architectural interest with exposed beams. Soffits can be removed or redesigned. Proper ventilation from a new rangehood solves steaming issues. Even just increasing the natural light with a new window or skylight can make a dramatic difference.
Impactful Structural Improvements
This modest kitchen was completely transformed by removing the soffits, painting the ceiling blue, and adding a statement light fixture resulting in a spacious, airy aesthetic.
Opening up the wall into the dining room allowed this cramped, closed off kitchen to gain a large island. The new windows flood the space with natural light.
As you can see from the incredible before and after photos, there are countless ways to transform tired, dated kitchens into contemporary spaces that are beautiful, functional, and personalized. From opening up layouts to swapping finishes and adding stylish accents, the possibilities are endless.
The key is determining your goals, must-haves, and budget. Meet with design and renovation professionals to bring your dream kitchen design to life. The investment is well worth the months of enjoyment you'll gain from cooking, dining, and simply relaxing in your fresh, inviting new cook space.