Kitchen and Dining Room Swap: Before and After Photos Revealed

Kitchen before and after, a cottage kitchen renovation

Kitchen before and after photos of our renovation

To close out the year, I wanted to share a collection of before-and-after photos from our kitchen and dining nook renovation.

Even small spaces can change dramatically in a year. Our cottage was charming from the start, but when we added the Tiny Cottage addition we also rethought our main floor layout. That reimagining led to swapping the kitchen and dining room locations and gave us a much better use of the available square footage.

Moving the kitchen improved the flow across the main floor and significantly increased our storage and functionality. We put the new layout to the test at Christmas with both families here and it worked beautifully.

Below you’ll find each after photo followed by the before shot from the same angle. I’ll share more details and sources in the coming year.

A little over two years ago we found and moved into this well-loved cottage perched above the Salish Sea. Since then we’ve made thoughtful changes to make the house feel like ours. The Tiny Cottage addition provides a cozy space for my parents while the main house is a snug, livable home for the two of us.

This is intended to be our forever home, and we love that it remains a warm place for family gatherings. With a baby arriving soon and more plans on the horizon, we’re excited for what’s ahead for our home and family in 2024.

Thank you for following along. Happy New Year!

Small cottage kitchen with dining nook, soapstone counters

Kitchen before and after photos, removing peninsulas and raising headers to open up a small space

Cottage kitchen before and after, swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan — **Sources:** Patterned rug (Ocean/Gold), rattan dining chairs, blue striped slipcovers, Parsons dining chairs, jute-wrapped chandelier with shades, rattan serving cart.

Cottage kitchen before and after, swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen before and after, changing the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen before and after photos of a renovation swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen before and after, swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area opened up a small floor plan — **Sources:** Leather armchair, blue plaid throw, jute + cotton rug with rug pad, wicker trunk, brass wall sconce, patterned lampshade, wildflower pillow cover, gingham pillow, reversible throw blanket used as bench cushion cover.

Cottage kitchen before and after, swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area in a small floor plan

Cottage kitchen before and after, swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area opened up a small floor plan in a coastal home

BEFORE: Swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen before and after renovation photos -- swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Our cottage kitchen before and after renovation photos -- swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen before and after, swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area opened up a small floor plan in a coastal home creating more storage and functional space

BEFORE Cottage kitchen before swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen dining nook after swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen before removing the peninsulas and swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen before and after, swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan and add storage in a coastal home

Cottage kitchen before swapping the location of the kitchen and dining area to open up a small floor plan in a coastal home

You can see the kitchen reveal and tour post with all sources and details on the original site.

More posts about this remodel are also available in the remodel category on the original blog.

I have many more things I’m excited to share in 2024!

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