A new year means a new kitchen on the horizon, and we couldn’t be more excited. Last year I shared our remodeling plans and the before photos. I haven’t posted the floor plan yet, so here are the changes we’ve designed. Our remodel is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, and we’re eager to get started.
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This project has been a long time coming. We moved in during the fall of 2021 with a few ideas to make the house our own. About a year ago those ideas grew into a larger plan that includes a small addition and a brand-new kitchen.
A quick backstory: we invited my parents to move in when we bought the house, and they suggested adding a compact suite at the back. Although the addition is small, designing it was more complex than expected. We needed to make the most of limited space while integrating the new suite with the existing architecture.
My parents drafted the initial plans, then we worked with an architect, a structural engineer, and other professionals to finalize drawings and secure permits.
Because the addition affects other parts of the house, I drew up floor plans for our own remodel. Our main floor is modest—around 800 square feet—and the rooms are connected, so changes in one area influence the rest.
With the addition in mind and a desire to use our space efficiently for years to come, we arrived at the plans below. Every choice was made intentionally: in a smaller home every inch counts. Aside from my parents’ suite, we are not adding living area square footage; we are reorganizing how we use the existing space.
This process involved careful planning to create a layout that fits our daily needs and family life. The goal is to maximize storage, improve traffic flow, and create welcoming areas for both everyday moments and gatherings.
Here is our CURRENT floor plan:
My parents’ suite will have its own back door, which means the existing mudroom door must be removed. One of our first challenges was creating a new access point to the backyard. Our only viable option was to replace a row of windows across the back of the house (currently in the dining room) with French doors. These will mirror the French doors at the front of the house. The windows being replaced will be repurposed elsewhere in the home.
When we first moved in we planned only minor updates and new appliances for the kitchen. I had already picked out a beautiful range (it’s waiting in my garage). As the addition plans evolved, it became clear that relocating the kitchen would be the smarter long-term choice and would coordinate better with the other changes.
Moving the kitchen into the dining area made sense for many reasons. It will connect the living room and dining space, improving traffic flow and creating a more flexible, open layout. This swap also allows us to add storage and thoughtful built-ins where they matter most.
In the new design we’ll create a cozy dining nook with a banquette and built-in storage, and relocate several windows to the former kitchen area. These changes will make the space comfortable for two, while also providing more seating and gathering space for family meals and special occasions.
One of my favorite parts: the new sink will sit in a center island, offering a view through windows and the new French doors while doing dishes. The island will create a connection to the rest of the main floor while remaining tucked toward the back of the house so the kitchen feels like a comfortable, quieter corner rather than the room’s focal point.
By rearranging rooms without increasing square footage, we gain more counter and storage space, better natural light, and a more open feel throughout the main floor.
We carved out distinct zones that support how our family lives: areas for prepping and serving meals, a place for coffee and casual hangouts, and easier access to the backyard where we have a fire pit. Most importantly, the new layout expands the room for holiday gatherings and everyday togetherness.
Below is a bird’s-eye view showing how the kitchen and dining spaces will connect once the remodel is complete. You’ll also see exterior elevations illustrating the changes at the back of the house. I’ll share more details about the addition and the build process in future posts.
Stay tuned for the next remodeling update, where I’ll reveal two key pieces: our new range (and the name we’ve given her) and the kitchen faucet. I’ll also share cabinet details and the dining room light fixture I just ordered.
Below is the plan for our updated kitchen and dining area so you can see it laid out from above.
Below are the before-and-after views of the back exterior. In the after image you’ll see my parents’ addition on the left and the new French doors on the right, which will open from the new kitchen.
We are thrilled to begin this transformation and look forward to sharing the process with you as it unfolds.
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