Kitchen remodels can completely transform the heart of your home. Taking a kitchen from dated and dysfunctional to pretty and practical makes a world of difference in how you enjoy this space.
Seeing stunning before and after photos gets the creative juices flowing. You start imagining the potential sitting dormant in your worn and weary kitchen.
This article features beautiful before and after kitchen remodels. The gorgeous transformations showcase what’s possible through renovations both big and small.
Get motivated and inspired to create the pretty perfect kitchen of your dreams! Let’s dive in.
Kitchen Renovation ROI
Return on investment should play a role in any remodel. With kitchen remodels, you can recoup about 60-80% of your costs at resale, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Factors impacting kitchen renovation ROI include:
- Layout changes – Opening up walls and improving workflow boosts value.
- ** Cabinetry** – New cabinets have a major visual impact.
- Countertops – Materials like quartz and granite add interest.
- Appliances – Updating to stylish, modern appliances.
- Flooring – Fresh floors modernize the whole space.
You don’t have to do it all to see a return. Strategic updates bring the most value.
Setting a Realistic Budget
Kitchen remodels span a wide budget range. The national average for a major kitchen overhaul is around $35,000, but this varies greatly by location and scope.
Budget-friendly kitchen makeovers can cost just a few thousand dollars. Some popular affordable updates include:
- New cabinet hardware
- Organizational accessories
- Painting cabinets
- Lighting fixtures
- Faucet and sink
- Vinyl flooring
Higher-end renovations with new cabinetry, countertops, tile, appliances and more can easily cost $50,000-100,000+. Identify must-haves and know where you can compromise.
Great Before and After Kitchen Transformations
Now let’s check out some stellar real-world kitchen remodels!
1. Fresh and Functional
This dated 1990s kitchen received a gorgeous facelift. The homeowners modernized everything without changing the footprint.
BEFORE:
- Outdated oak cabinets
- Busy tile countertops
- Poor lighting
- Awkward peninsula layout
AFTER:
- Crisp white shaker cabinets
- Sleek quartz counters
- Marble herringbone backsplash
- Industrial pendant lights
- Refinished floors
Opening up the peninsula improved traffic flow. New cabinets, counters, and backsplash gave this kitchen a fresh new look.
2. Rustic Charm
Traditional oak cabinets and dated floors got replaced with on-trend painted cabinetry and modern luxuries. This facelift infused personality into a cookie-cutter kitchen.
BEFORE:
- Honey oak cabinets
- Busy granite counters
- Outdated tile floor
- Uninspiring backsplash
- Poor lighting
AFTER:
- Navy blue cabinets
- Marble waterfall island
- White quartz countertops
- Wood-look tile flooring
- Marble brick backsplash
- Vintage pendants
- Stainless appliances
Navy lower cabinets grounded the space, while painted white uppers kept things light and bright. Pops of marble, metal accents, and rustic textures gave this kitchen charm.
3. Bright and Airy Cottage Kitchen
This dark cramped kitchen got completely opened up for a bright, spacious cottage vibe. Widening doorways and removing walls made a huge difference.
BEFORE:
- Dark cabinetry
- Narrow galley layout
- Dated linoleum flooring
- Poor lighting
AFTER:
- White shaker cabinets
- Butcher block island
- Engineered hardwood floors
- Glass pendants
- Marble counters and backsplash
Crisp white paint, cozy textures, and natural light transformed this kitchen. Removing walls improved the work triangle. An airy, cottage-inspired space emerged.
4. Modern farmhouse Chic
This homeowner traded dark cabinets and a peninsula for a clean, modern farmhouse aesthetic. The L-shaped layout opened up the space.
BEFORE:
- Honey oak cabinets
- Black granite counters
- Peninsula layout
- Yellowed tile floor
AFTER:
- Two-toned cabinetry
- Marble-look quartz island
- White quartz countertops
- Subway tile backsplash
- Grey wood-look vinyl floors
- Open shelving
Crisp white cabinets keep things fresh and light. The wooden island base and open shelving add warmth. Modern grey flooring and marble finishes elevate the look.
5. Everything Old is New Again
Preserving and restoring original kitchen architecture maintains the home’s character. This remodel honors the 1930s charm while upgrading function.
BEFORE:
- Outdated appliances
- Worn cabinets and hardware
- Faded countertops
- Damaged terrazzo floors
AFTER:
- Vintage-style appliances
- Refinished cabinets
- Quartz counters
- Copper sinks
- Restored terrazzo floors
Instead of gutting the kitchen, they repaired, refreshed, and restored its original charm. The kitchen continues to tell the home’s unique story.
6. Tiny but Mighty Kitchen
You can make a big impact even in a small kitchen. This awkward narrow galley kitchen got a much-needed spatial makeover.
BEFORE:
- Poor layout
- Cheap cabinets and counters
- No seating or surface space
- Harsh fluorescent lighting
AFTER:
- Peninsula with bar seating
- Custom shaker cabinets
- Marble herringbone backsplash
- Stainless appliances
- Glass pendant lighting
Reconfiguring the space allowed room for a peninsula with seating. Custom cabinetry maximized storage. Marble elevated the look while glass pendants and recessed lighting opened up the tight space.
7. From Dark and Dated to Light and Airy
This dark cherry kitchen absorbed light instead of reflecting it. The homeowners craved an airy, coastal kitchen with plenty of space to gather. Opening up the space and lightening up the finishes gave them their dream revamp.
BEFORE:
- Cherry cabinets
- Cluttered Peninsula
- Heavy valance trimwork
- Dark countertops
- Poor lighting
AFTER:
- Painted cream cabinets
- White quartz waterfall peninsula
- Marble herringbone backsplash
- Wood-look luxury vinyl plank floors
- Statement lighting fixtures
Cream painted cabinetry instantly lightened up the space. Removing the peninsula walls opened up the layout. Crisp white counters balanced the warm wood flooring and trim for a fresh coastal feel.
8. Craftsman Kitchen Remodel
ThisCraftsman home’s kitchen was stuck in the 80s. By honoring the home’s architecture in the redesign, they revived the original character.
BEFORE:
- Dated oak cabinets
- Tan tile countertops
- Sliding glass cabinet doors
- Fluorescent lighting
- Vinyl flooring
AFTER:
- Two-tone Craftsman-style cabinets
- butcher block countertops
- Distressed brick backsplash
- Ceramic tile flooring
- Vintage lighting
Maintaining the footprint preserved Craftsman character. On-trend elements like butch block counters, exposed brick backsplashes and vintage lighting suited the home’s architectural style.
9. Contemporary Cool Kitchen
This traditional kitchen offered great bones begging for a modern refresh. Sleek finishes and contemporary accents gave this kitchen stylish sophistication.
BEFORE:
- Cherry cabinets
- Beige tile backsplash
- Granite countertops
- Uninspiring lighting
AFTER:
- Crisp white cabinetry
- Linear glass mosaic backsplash
- White quartz waterfall island
- Marble herringbone floor tile
- Sconce and pendant lighting
Crisp white paint and glass tile backsplash tiles brightened up the space. The waterfall island, marble tile, and geometric pendants added sleek contemporary style. Open shelving boosted functionality.
10. Kitchen Work Zone Revamp
For this awkward, dysfunctional kitchen footprint the homeowners chose to reimagine the existing floor plan. Smart tweaks maximized storage and workflow.
BEFORE:
- Outdated honey oak cabinets
- Poor peninsula layout
- Dysfunctional work zones
- Low prep and storage space
AFTER:
- White shaker cabinetry
- Marble counters and backsplash
- Enlarged island
- Custom built-in hutch and banquette
- Updated lighting fixtures
Widening the doorway into the kitchen improved flow and sightlines. The enlarged island provides prep space and storage. A built-in hutch offers display space. Overall an inviting, highly functional space emerged.
Planning Your Pretty Perfect Kitchen
A successful kitchen redesign hinges on careful planning. Follow these steps as you plan to transform your kitchen from outdated to outstanding.
Set Your Goals
Start by defining what you want to change. Common kitchen remodel goals include:
- Improving layout and traffic flow
- Increasing storage space
- Accommodating multiple cooks
- Adding seating for gathering
- Updating worn finishes
- Incorporating smart technology
- Boosting accessibility as you age
- Improving sustainability
Assess Your Current Space
Take time to analyze how your existing kitchen works and identify pain points.
- Does the layout cause bottlenecks?
- Is prep space inadequate?
- Do you lack seating for gatherings?
- Are cabinets falling apart?
Gaining clarity on what needs to change ensures your redesign addresses your family’s needs.
Collect Inspiration Images
Gather inspiration photos to hone in on your preferred style. Does your dream kitchen lean traditional, modern, industrial, farmhouse? Save photos that appeal to you.
Keep collecting until a cohesive look emerges. This style vision keeps your project beautifully pulled together.
Interview Contractors
Vet several contractors before selecting your team. Make sure you feel confident they can execute your vision on time and on budget. Ask about their remodel process and previous kitchen projects
Create a Floorplan
Drafting a new kitchen layout is key to maximizing space and functionality. Experiment with different configurations.
Mark traffic zones, exits, appliances, cabinetry, and prep areas. Play around until you balance work zones with gathering areas.
Select Materials and Finishes
With your style direction identified, have fun selecting materials! Compile your dream teams of cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and fixtures.
Get hands-on with samples of each. View tiles, stone slabs, cabinets, and flooring under different lighting. Make final selections you’ll love long-term.
Invest in Quality Design
Work closely with your contractor or interior designer to refine the details. Optimize storage solutions, task lighting, counter space and every element that impacts how your new kitchen performs.
Quality design makes the difference between a pretty kitchen and a highly functional everyday kitchen. Invest here.
FAQs About Kitchen Remodels
Still have questions about the remodel process? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Q: How long does a kitchen remodel take?
On average major kitchen overhauls take 2-3 months from demolition to completion. Smaller facelift projects can wrap up in 4-6 weeks.
Q: When is the best time of year for a kitchen remodel?
Fall and winter are ideal seasons since you likely spend less time cooking. Avoid major holidays when entertaining peaks.
Q: Should I remodel the kitchen or move?
If your current home meets your needs, a remodel often makes financial sense vs. moving. Kitchen updates offer the biggest ROI of most remodel projects.
Q: How do I get the most storage in a small kitchen?
Optimize every inch with strategies like corner cabinets, pull-out shelving, drawer dividers, and wide drawers for pots and pans. Remove any wasted “dead space” between cabinets.
Q: Should I keep existing cabinet boxes?
If boxes are structurally sound, reusing them saves significantly on costs. Replace doors and hardware to give cabinets an updated look.
Q: Can I do a kitchen remodel myself?
On a budget? You can DIY cosmetic updates like paint, new lighting and faucet replacement. But plumbing, electrical, flooring and major carpentry require specialized expertise.
Conclusion
The amazing before and after kitchen transformations featured prove this space offers great potential.
With thoughtful planning and clear style direction, you can create a pretty and practical kitchen perfectly tailored to your lifestyle. A kitchen designed around how you cook, gather, and live makes all the difference.
The kitchen remodels profiled embody what’s possible, from opening up walls to swapping dated oak cabinets for crisp white paint.
Let these gorgeous renovations ignite ideas and possibilities for your own kitchen redo. Dream big and breathe new life into the heart of your home!