Kitchen Design
Before and Afters
Before and After: 4 Inviting Kitchens in 120 to 160 Square Feet
See how pros turn midsize kitchens into stylish, efficient spaces full of charm and functionality
Kitchens in 120 to 160 square feet strike a sweet spot between spacious and efficient. They’re large enough to comfortably fit key appliances and layout features yet compact enough to encourage a streamlined workflow and easier upkeep. Check out these four kitchens to see how design and remodeling pros turned this common size into warm, welcoming spaces that balance function with cozy charm.
After: Bergstrom replaced the outdated appliances, cabinets, countertops and backsplash and reworked the layout for better functionality. She relocated the sink to the former range area and shifted over the new range, creating more counter space for prep work and improving access to the sink — key upgrades for the husband. A new refrigerator now stands across from the range, nestled between a tall pantry with heavy-duty wood rollouts for dry goods and a built-in stainless steel microwave drawer.
Bergstrom also swapped the dated two-tier peninsula for a longer, streamlined L-shaped version that offers more seating and surface area. The interior end of the peninsula includes a 27-inch-wide cabinet with dual rollouts for storing casserole dishes, plastic containers and small appliances.
Custom maple cabinetry in a soft gray paint with green and blue undertones — subtle but dynamic throughout the day — adds elegant color. The cabinet finish complements the warm greige walls (Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore) and newly refinished flooring in a deeper tone with hints of gray.
Bergstrom also swapped the dated two-tier peninsula for a longer, streamlined L-shaped version that offers more seating and surface area. The interior end of the peninsula includes a 27-inch-wide cabinet with dual rollouts for storing casserole dishes, plastic containers and small appliances.
Custom maple cabinetry in a soft gray paint with green and blue undertones — subtle but dynamic throughout the day — adds elegant color. The cabinet finish complements the warm greige walls (Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore) and newly refinished flooring in a deeper tone with hints of gray.
Backless wood stools with upholstered seats offer seating on two sides of the peninsula, creating a comfortable connection to the adjacent family room. Distressed white metal dome pendant lights add vintage-inspired charm, while undercabinet lighting and repositioned LED recessed lights brighten key work areas.
The doorway at the back leads to a remodeled mudroom designed to coordinate with the kitchen. Some of the original kitchen cabinets were refreshed with paint and repurposed for storage there.
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The doorway at the back leads to a remodeled mudroom designed to coordinate with the kitchen. Some of the original kitchen cabinets were refreshed with paint and repurposed for storage there.
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Before Photo
“After” photos by Meghan Balcom Photography
2. Colorful and Contemporary
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Kendra Oxholm, her husband and their two kids
Location: Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
Size: 155 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Sean Lewis of Airy Kitchens
Before: With demanding jobs and two young kids, Kendra Oxholm and her husband needed a kitchen that could keep pace with their busy lives. But their 155-square-foot space fell short. Tucked behind a wall that separated it from the dining room, the kitchen felt cramped and closed off. Storage was lacking, and dated materials — basic white cabinets, laminate counters, tile flooring and blue wallpaper — left the space feeling uninspired.
Looking for more openness, efficiency, color and modern finishes, the Pennsylvania couple brought in designer Sean Lewis.
2. Colorful and Contemporary
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Kendra Oxholm, her husband and their two kids
Location: Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
Size: 155 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Sean Lewis of Airy Kitchens
Before: With demanding jobs and two young kids, Kendra Oxholm and her husband needed a kitchen that could keep pace with their busy lives. But their 155-square-foot space fell short. Tucked behind a wall that separated it from the dining room, the kitchen felt cramped and closed off. Storage was lacking, and dated materials — basic white cabinets, laminate counters, tile flooring and blue wallpaper — left the space feeling uninspired.
Looking for more openness, efficiency, color and modern finishes, the Pennsylvania couple brought in designer Sean Lewis.
After: This photo was taken from roughly the same angle as the previous shot. Lewis removed most of the wall separating the kitchen and dining room, replacing it with a peninsula that improves flow and connection. The new feature offers seating and gives the kids a spot to help prep meals or browse recipes. Extending about a foot into the dining room, the peninsula also allows for more breathing room in the kitchen. Key kitchen details include soft gray cabinets, a walnut-accented range hood, graphic black-and-white porcelain flooring and a striking arched pantry with black accents. In the dining area, painted white wainscoting pairs with sangria-colored sisal wallpaper for a bold, fun look.
Lewis gutted the original kitchen and filled in a door and window on the right wall, making room for a U-shaped layout with more cabinetry and counter space. He also relocated the range to that side, turning it into a focal point.
Custom gray Shaker-style inset cabinets blend clean, modern lines with traditional molding details that honor the home’s history. A mix of 6- and 8-inch pulls and knobs in a warm honey bronze finish adds richness. The backsplash features 2½-by-10-inch matte white ceramic tiles with custom gray grout, arranged in a horizontal stacked pattern for a sleek, updated look. Together with a step-in pantry and a bold, color-drenched mudroom, the redesigned space now supports the busy family’s modern lifestyle.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Custom gray Shaker-style inset cabinets blend clean, modern lines with traditional molding details that honor the home’s history. A mix of 6- and 8-inch pulls and knobs in a warm honey bronze finish adds richness. The backsplash features 2½-by-10-inch matte white ceramic tiles with custom gray grout, arranged in a horizontal stacked pattern for a sleek, updated look. Together with a step-in pantry and a bold, color-drenched mudroom, the redesigned space now supports the busy family’s modern lifestyle.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
“After” photos by Christina Strong Photography
3. Warm Tones and Clever Storage
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Spring Hill, Florida
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer-builder: Jeff Akins of DCI Home Improvements
Before: The U-shaped layout of this 150-square-foot kitchen worked well for a retired Florida couple, but the space lacked warmth and style. Basic white cabinets and black granite countertops gave it a cold, unfinished feel.
Looking to boost storage and bring in color that would complement the wood details throughout their home — without major structural changes — the couple enlisted design-build pro Jeff Akins and his team at DCI Home Improvements.
3. Warm Tones and Clever Storage
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Spring Hill, Florida
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer-builder: Jeff Akins of DCI Home Improvements
Before: The U-shaped layout of this 150-square-foot kitchen worked well for a retired Florida couple, but the space lacked warmth and style. Basic white cabinets and black granite countertops gave it a cold, unfinished feel.
Looking to boost storage and bring in color that would complement the wood details throughout their home — without major structural changes — the couple enlisted design-build pro Jeff Akins and his team at DCI Home Improvements.
After: Akins, who uses Houzz Pro business software to manage his remodeling projects, kept the kitchen layout intact but removed the old cabinets, countertops, backsplash and soffit. He installed sleek two-tone flat-panel cabinets — wood uppers paired with aloe green lowers — for a warm, inviting look. Taller uppers and added cabinetry on the back of the peninsula boosted storage, while new flush-mount LED lights replaced pendants to maintain open sightlines and enhance the airy feel.
The homeowners kept several existing appliances, including the induction range, microwave and French door fridge. New storage solutions significantly upgrade the kitchen’s functionality. To the lower left of the range, a blind-corner cabinet now houses small appliances. To the right, a 9-inch pullout keeps cookie sheets organized and within easy reach. A bank of wide drawers beside the fridge includes two deep lower drawers, perfect for storing pots, pans and other bulky items.
The backsplash features 3-by-9-inch glossy white ceramic tiles with a subtle texture. They’re laid in a classic brick pattern with crisp white grout to enhance the light, bright feel. High-gloss quartz countertops with bold ribbons of gold and copper add warmth and a touch of drama, while softly rounded corners at either side of the range introduce a gentle, custom detail.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
The backsplash features 3-by-9-inch glossy white ceramic tiles with a subtle texture. They’re laid in a classic brick pattern with crisp white grout to enhance the light, bright feel. High-gloss quartz countertops with bold ribbons of gold and copper add warmth and a touch of drama, while softly rounded corners at either side of the range introduce a gentle, custom detail.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Photos by Beth Saunders Photography
4. Charming Details and Durable Finishes
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A woman with two sons
Location: Northampton, England
Size: About 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designers: Eleni Fantis of Omorfia Interior Design (interior design) and Ezra Kerr of Jikoni Interiors (kitchen design)
Before: The original kitchen, installed when the home was built, included an adjoining dining area and a conservatory-style living space. While storage was ample, the layout felt tight and the overall look came across as dark and dated.
The homeowner, who lives with her two sons, wanted a brighter, more functional family hub. She found interior designer Eleni Fantis on Houzz and brought her on to reimagine the space. To make the most of the layout, she also hired kitchen designer Ezra Kerr.
4. Charming Details and Durable Finishes
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A woman with two sons
Location: Northampton, England
Size: About 120 square feet (11 square meters)
Designers: Eleni Fantis of Omorfia Interior Design (interior design) and Ezra Kerr of Jikoni Interiors (kitchen design)
Before: The original kitchen, installed when the home was built, included an adjoining dining area and a conservatory-style living space. While storage was ample, the layout felt tight and the overall look came across as dark and dated.
The homeowner, who lives with her two sons, wanted a brighter, more functional family hub. She found interior designer Eleni Fantis on Houzz and brought her on to reimagine the space. To make the most of the layout, she also hired kitchen designer Ezra Kerr.
After: To brighten the space, Fantis focused on creating an open, light-filled flow, while Kerr transformed the 120-square-foot kitchen into a cozy, high-functioning room where the owner could cook, entertain and teach her sons to bake and prep with ease.
A curved edge on the new angled peninsula softens the layout, adds surface area and encourages conversation. Removing a bank of cabinets on the right widened the room but also meant rethinking storage. Kerr solved this by using a utility room opposite the sink for laundry appliances, freeing up kitchen space. He also made smart use of a short wall, incorporating a full-height pantry — one of the owner’s top requests — a refrigerator and cabinets above and below a combination oven and standard oven.
Before and After: 4 Inspiring Kitchens in 320 to 350 Square Feet
A curved edge on the new angled peninsula softens the layout, adds surface area and encourages conversation. Removing a bank of cabinets on the right widened the room but also meant rethinking storage. Kerr solved this by using a utility room opposite the sink for laundry appliances, freeing up kitchen space. He also made smart use of a short wall, incorporating a full-height pantry — one of the owner’s top requests — a refrigerator and cabinets above and below a combination oven and standard oven.
Before and After: 4 Inspiring Kitchens in 320 to 350 Square Feet
In the corner, Kerr kept the existing base and wall cabinet configuration to provide bonus counter space, an ideal spot for a casual breakfast station. Durable, vinyl-wrapped white cabinet doors pair with a sturdy white quartz countertop for a clean, low-maintenance look. A curved ceramic apron-front sink adds a touch of character, while Fantis selected soft pink and blue patterned tiles for the backsplash to bring in subtle color and charm. Wood-look luxury vinyl tile flooring offers a warmer, more inviting feel than the original tile and ties in nicely with the oak open shelves to the left of the sink.
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More on Houzz
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Read more about this kitchen makeover
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Find a kitchen remodeler
Shop for your kitchen
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1. Professional Function Meets Polished Style
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Sterling, Massachusetts
Size: 156 square feet (14 square meters)
Designer: Ruth Bergstrom of Kitchen Associates
Before: This empty-nest couple in Massachusetts moved into a Colonial-style home on 4 acres to be closer to their growing family and young granddaughter. While they appreciated the home’s classic architecture, they were eager to refresh its neutral interiors, starting with the 156-square-foot kitchen.
The dated space featured honey oak cabinets, a two-tier peninsula with a sink, laminate countertops and standard white appliances.
The husband, a trained chef and former restaurant owner, wanted plenty of space for prepping and serving. The wife envisioned a more elegant look with colorful cabinetry. To bring their ideas to life, they enlisted designer Ruth Bergstrom.