I never felt at home in this kitchen. I loved my old one, but the new layout and finishes never sat right with me. The counters, tile, cabinet finish and sink all felt off. I know these are design concerns rather than life-or-death issues, but for a space you use every day, they matter.
The cabinet configuration broke the space into awkward, cramped zones and created too many visual barriers. A long bar counter extended into the room and made the kitchen feel smaller instead of more useful. In some homes that type of counter works well, but here it just became a clutter magnet—something we didn’t need.
Three pendant lights hung at the center, blocking sightlines across the room. The light above the dining table wasn’t centered, and the flooring changed partway through the space. All these details combined to make the room feel disjointed.
Why did we buy this house despite the kitchen? We needed a clean place that didn’t require immediate remodeling so we could focus on starting the church. That made sense for us then, and we were willing to live with flaws for a while.
Over the years I made small changes—removed a wall cabinet, took doors off a few cabinets—to open things up and delay a full remodel. Quick, affordable fixes helped for a time, but after three years I was increasingly certain the kitchen wasn’t working for our family.
Having lived with the space for several years helped me understand what would actually work. If I had renovated too quickly, I might have made changes that didn’t suit our needs. Time revealed practical, cost-effective solutions that would improve flow and function.
A few weeks ago I finally decided I didn’t want to spend another winter with that layout. I planned a relatively simple reconfiguration—removing and relocating a few cabinets and the dishwasher—to open the room while keeping ample storage. My goal was a meaningful update without a full-scale remodel. To save costs we’re keeping the stove, refrigerator and dishwasher for now.
I’ll share the details as the project progresses.
Today the contractor we found came and began demo, removing the elements that bothered me most. Now the project is underway. I hope for a quick transformation, but budgeting and bids will determine the timeline. Even if things take longer than I imagine, the space already feels more open and livable.
Even at this early stage I love the kitchen more than I did before. Removing visual barriers has made it feel like a true family kitchen—more spacious and less cluttered. I have plans for the right wall and the area above the stove so those spots won’t remain empty. We also need to replace the flooring to create a cohesive look throughout the space.
Is anyone still around or did everyone head off for the holiday weekend?
Maybe I’m just talking to myself,
but I’ve got lots to share.
Tomorrow I’ll tell the story of my new sofa.
To follow updates on this renovation, check the kitchen renovation category on the site for progress posts and photos.