While it has been about ten months since my kitchen felt finished enough to call it complete, I never shared a clear sketch showing the layout before and after the remodel.
It was a lot of fun to share each step of the renovation last year so you could follow the process leading up to the reveal — half the fun really is the journey, even if remodeling mess isn’t exactly glamorous. Before these memories fade, I wanted to show a bird’s-eye view so you can see how moving the dishwasher and removing a small section of cabinet transformed the room.
In the “before” sketch (and the photo below), our kitchen was essentially split in two by a run of countertop that created constant traffic jams. The cooking area and the eating area were both too small and cramped for our family to function comfortably. With six people and two dogs, we needed more breathing room, and that need is what kicked off the whole remodel.
We didn’t have to remove walls or build an addition to make the space feel larger. The biggest change was taking out a set of nearly useless tiny junk drawers and an awkward corner cabinet, then relocating the dishwasher to the right of the sink. We didn’t lose counter or cabinet space — instead, we gained six full drawers to the right of the dishwasher for silverware and dishes, plus a long stretch of counter beside the sink. That simple rearrangement made the kitchen far more efficient.
Another important change was removing the cramped upper cabinets at the far end of the room. I don’t miss them at all; the open space above the lower cabinets gives the area much-needed breathing room.
The freestanding island we placed in the center adds counter space and storage while still allowing the dishwasher to open and traffic to flow around it easily. There’s also room for a couple of bar stools with comfortable clearance. We may replace the island down the line, but for now it works well.
We intentionally left the area where our kitchen table used to sit open. Our dining room sits just outside the kitchen, so another full-size table wasn’t necessary. Leaving that space clear makes entertaining easier — guests can gather without obstacles or getting in the cook’s way, and the dogs have room to move without bumping into chairs and tables. We still use the kitchen chairs all the time; I love how cozy and inviting it feels to have comfortable seating right in the kitchen.
So now you have the bird’s-eye view of my kitchen remodel. I’m already eager to start the next project. After eight days of the flu, I’m feeling restless — who knows what might happen next around here!
Kitchen Renovation posts, The Kitchen Reveal, Kitchen Sources and Paint Colors