Introduction
Kitchen renovations can completely transform the look, feel, and functionality of one of the most important rooms in your home. Taking a dated, tired kitchen and giving it a fresh, modern farmhouse style makeover can create a warm, inviting space for cooking, entertaining, and making memories.
In this article, we’ll look at a stunning farmhouse kitchen remodel and explore the before and after details. We’ll cover topics like:
- The homeowners’ goals and wish list
- Demolition and planning the layout
- Selecting finishes and materials
- Adding farmhouse decor touches
- The big reveal!
Whether you’re dreaming of your own kitchen facelift or just love seeing dramatic before and after home renovations, you’ll enjoy following along on this journey to a gorgeous new farmhouse kitchen. Let’s take a look!
Before: A Dated 1980s Kitchen
The homeowners bought this house knowing that the kitchen, which had not been updated since the 1980s, would need a complete overhaul. The space felt dark and cramped, and was not conducive to entertaining or family gatherings.
Some of the issues with the existing kitchen included:
- Closed off layout – With dated partial walls enclosing sections of the space, the kitchen felt closed off instead of open and airy. Traffic flow was poor, making the work triangle inefficient.
- Dark cabinetry – The cherry wood cabinets and soffits above were attractive years ago, but had a dated look. The hutch area also added unnecessary bulk.
- Poor lighting – Fluorescent box lighting and the small window over the sink did not provide sufficient illumination.
- Lack of function – From the awkward peninsula eating area to minimal counter space and storage, the existing layout did not promote functionality.
While the kitchen was stuck stylistically in the 80s, it was well-constructed with hardwood floors in good condition. The layout and footprint provided a great starting point for the remodel.
Setting Goals for the Renovation
After living with the outdated kitchen for several months, the homeowners determined their wish list for the remodel:
- Open concept – Remove existing walls to open the space to adjacent rooms. Improve traffic flow.
- Modern farmhouse style – Incorporate popular elements like shiplap, subway tile, and distressed wood finishes.
- Quartz countertops – Durable and low-maintenance. White for an airy look.
- New cabinetry – Crisp, white shaker-style cabinets for a timeless aesthetic. Add more cabinets for storage.
- Statement backsplash – Use bold patterns like zigzags or Moroccan tiles.
- Advanced appliances – Gas range, large fridge, built-in microwave, etc. Stainless steel for modern appeal.
- Improved lighting – Layered lighting for ambiance and function. Statement light fixtures.
- Eat-in dining area – Comfortably seats 6-8 people for family meals and entertaining.
- Easy access to backyard – Install French doors to seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces.
With this wish list in mind, the homeowners interviewed contractors and designers to bring their farmhouse kitchen dreams to life!
Planning the Layout
Many decisions go into planning the layout for a kitchen remodel. Getting the layout right is crucial – it impacts how you cook, entertain, and move within the space.
The first step was looking at the existing footprint and determining placement for key elements like the sink, stove, fridge, and island. The homeowners decided on the following:
- Sink – Place under window with garden views for pleasant washing up
- Range – Install powerful vent hood and position stove top on island
- Refrigerator – Tuck away in existing recessed nook
- Microwave – Integrate built-in microwave into cabinetry near the range
- Island – Large central island for dining, storage, food prep and entertaining
- Desk – Small built-in desk area for meal planning and paying bills
By opening up walls and borrowing space from an adjacent sitting room, they expanded the kitchen to make room for entertaining.
Traffic flow was improved by having two entrances – one from the dining room and one from the mudroom/garage access. The carefully planned layout ensured a functional triangle between the stove, sink, and fridge.
Installing French doors to the backyard completed the connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Widening the opening to the dining room really opened up sightlines.
With the footprint and work zones determined, it was time to have fun picking finishes and decor!
Selecting Kitchen Finishes
The finishes and materials you choose for a kitchen renovation dictate the overall aesthetic. The homeowners selected these farmhouse-inspired finishes to achieve their dream space:
Cabinets
The existing cherry cabinets had heavy ornamental detailing that made the space feel dark and cluttery.
For the remodel, clean-lined shaker style cabinets in a fresh white paint provided a timeless, versatile look. Additional cabinets were added for storage, especially near the renovated pantry.
Accent cabinetry around the fridge was finished in a contrasting navy blue tone for a pop of color.
Pulls were updated to brushed gold rectangular hardware.
Countertops
Durable white quartz countertops with dark gray veining replaced the previous laminate countertops.
White quartz provides a bright, fresh look and doesn???t show stains. It withstands heavy use.
The large central island was topped with the same quartz.
Backsplash
The new backsplash was a showstopping navy, white and gray Moroccan fish scale tile pattern.
Complementing the blue accent cabinetry, this bold backsplash made a vibrant style statement.
Contrasting grout provided added dimension. The backsplash spanned the entire wall behind the range and sink area.
Flooring
The existing hardwood flooring was refinished to a rich espresso stain that worked nicely with the color scheme.
New flooring matched the existing hardwoods and was installed in areas where walls were knocked down. Durable porcelain tiles went in the new mudroom.
Lighting
Existing fluorescent box lighting was replaced with a stunning statement light fixture over the large island.
Dimmable pendant lights over the sink provided task lighting. Undercabinet lighting illuminated the counters.
Recessed cans offered overall ambient lighting. New sconces flanked the French doors.
These layered lighting elements created a bright and inviting ambiance.
Paint Colors
The walls and trim were painted crisp white to maximize the light and bright color scheme.
Navy blue shows up as accent color on the range hood, accented cabinets and Moroccan tile backsplash.
The white and navy blue color palette kept the scheme fresh yet classic.
With the finishes selected, it was time to tackle the renovation work!
Remodeling the Kitchen
The homeowners hired contractors to complete the major renovation work. Here were the key steps:
- Demolition – Existing cabinetry, countertops, wall coverings and flooring were ripped out and removed. Load-bearing walls required structural work.
- Plumbing – Gas lines were run to the new stove location. The sink plumbing was reconfigured. New dishwashers, fridges and microwaves were hooked up.
- Electrical – Extra outlets were added. New circuits were run for additional appliances. New recessed and pendant lighting was wired.
- Wall Prep – Walls were patched and readied for tiling, painting or new drywall. The ceiling was painted white.
- New Cabinetry – Custom cabinets were installed first including the desk area and accent blue cabinets.
- Countertops – Quartz countertops fabricated to fit the new cabinet layout were installed. The island was assembled onsite.
- Backsplash – Moroccan tiles were meticulously applied to the wall with decorative metal trim.
- Finishing Touches – New stainless steel appliances were put in. Hardware and fixtures were attached. The floors were refinished. Painting was finished. Lighting went up.
The homeowners did the final decor and accessorizing. It was an exhausting but rewarding process!
Farmhouse Decor Touches
To complement the modern farmhouse style of the remodel, the homeowners styled the kitchen with these finishing touches:
- Textiles – Tea towels, curtains, table linens in a mix of cotton prints. Natural fibers like jute on a rug by the sink.
- Wood accents – A reclaimed wood floating shelf for decorative display. A live edge wood dining table.
- Metal accents – Hammered metal vessels for utensils. A metal and wood bowl on the kitchen desk.
- Plants – Potted herbs on the counters and windowsill. A dried wreath over the desk.
- Rustic touches – Wire baskets for produce. A chalkboard for memos. Galvanized buckets used as canisters.
- Artisan pottery – Handmade stoneware mixing bowls and serving platters.
- Open shelving – Baskets for storage. Cookbooks on display.
By selecting natural materials, warm textures, and unique handmade items, they completed the inviting farmhouse aesthetic.
The Reveal: From Dated to Fabulous
The homeowners were thrilled when the day arrived to see the finished kitchen remodel.
The transformation from the cramped, closed off 1980s kitchen to this gorgeous, open and inviting modern farmhouse space was absolutely stunning.
The fresh white cabinetry exuded classic style, while the pops of navy provided character. Quartz countertops and statement backsplash tile made the kitchen feel luxurious.
By opening walls and borrowing space, they achieved an efficient, functional layout with room to cook, dine and mingle. The new French doors seamlessly connected the indoor and outdoor areas.
Every item on their initial wishlist was achieved:
- Open and airy – By knocking down walls, they created free-flowing space great for entertaining.
- Farmhouse finishes – From shiplap walls to subway tile backsplash, they nailed the farmhouse aesthetic.
- Improved storage – Extra cabinets and drawers offered abundant storage options.
- Dream appliances – The suite of stainless appliances delivered sleek functionality.
- Beautiful lighting – Stylish new fixtures and lamps made the space glow.
- Fabulous dining space – An oversized island with seating accommodated gatherings.
- Easy backyard access – French doors widened the indoor/outdoor connection.
This remodel took their dark, cramped kitchen and turned it into a stunning modern farmhouse space brimming with style and functionality.
The homeowners were overjoyed to finally have their dream kitchen!
FAQs About Farmhouse Kitchen Remodels
Remodeling a kitchen into a gorgeous modern farmhouse space is a big project. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q: How much does a farmhouse kitchen remodel cost?
The cost of a farmhouse kitchen remodel can vary widely based on factors like layout changes, the extent of updates, and material choices. Many farmhouse kitchen overhauls fall in the $30,000 to $60,000 range. High-end remodels can be $100k or more.
Q: What are the most important farmhouse design elements?
Key farmhouse kitchen design elements to incorporate usually include white cabinetry, open shelving, exposed beams, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, pendant lighting, reclaimed wood accents, and a big sink.
Q: Should I DIY or hire contractors?
For big changes like knocking down walls, moving plumbing or electrical, and installing cabinetry, you’ll definitely need to hire a general contractor and subcontractors. But tasks like painting cabinets, installing backsplash tile, dressing up open shelving, replacing light fixtures or faucets and styling with farmhouse decor can potentially be DIYed to save money.
Q: How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Kitchen remodels can take 2-3 months for smaller cosmetic updates to 4-6 months for large renovations. Permits, contractor scheduling, custom cabinetry fabrication, and sourcing specialty finishes can all impact timelines. Have a backup cooking plan in place!
Q: Should I keep my existing kitchen footprint or change the layout?
If your current layout functions decently, consider keeping it to save costs. Improve work zones, traffic flow and storage within the existing footprint. But if your layout is problematic, explore knocking down walls or borrowing space from adjacent rooms to get your dream flow.
Q: How do I choose finishes for a farmhouse kitchen?
Popular farmhouse kitchen finishes include shaker style white cabinets, quartz or marble countertops, subway tile backsplash, apron front sink, stainless appliances, pendant lights, reclaimed wood accents, and polished nickel or black hardware. Mix modern and traditional elements to get an updated farmhouse vibe.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed following along on this stunning farmhouse kitchen remodel journey!
Taking a drab, closed off kitchen and giving it a fresh, functional facelift can breathe new life into your whole home. Planning smart layout changes and selecting the right mix of charming farmhouse finishes can result in your dream space.
While renovating a kitchen requires significant time, planning and investment, the ability to cook, dine and entertain in a beautiful, efficient heart-of-the-home hub makes it incredibly worthwhile.
Does your kitchen need a farmhouse refresh? Hopefully the tips and inspiration in this article will help maximize your own remodel. Best of luck making your outdated kitchen into a fabulous modern farmhouse space your whole family can enjoy!