Introduction
A kitchen renovation can completely transform a home. Taking a dated, dysfunctional kitchen and giving it a fresh, modern update makes the space more beautiful, inviting, and functional. This allows the heart of the home to shine to its full potential. One stunning kitchen makeover emphasized bringing more natural light into the space. Opening it up and adding skylights and new windows makes a world of difference.
This article will highlight one inspiring before and after kitchen remodel. We’ll go through the details of the transformation, including goals, design, execution and final reveal. Read on for an inside look at how taking down walls, opening the floor plan and installing skylights helped this kitchen renovation let the light in.
Overview of the Kitchen Before Remodeling
The original kitchen layout had a few key issues the homeowners aimed to improve with their remodel. As is common in older homes, the space felt closed off and compartmentalized. The kitchen was walled off from the rest of the home, with only a small pass-through window into the dining room. This made the kitchen isolated and disconnected.
Additionally, the kitchen itself had a choppy layout. A large pantry jutted into the room, making the work triangle awkward to navigate. The homeowners felt the kitchen lacked space to cook comfortably and lacked storage despite its generous overall size.
Finally, and perhaps most critically, the kitchen suffered from a lack of natural light. Sandwiched in the center of the home, the only windows were a small one above the sink and one into the dining room. The heavy wood cabinetry and thick granite countertops also contributed to making this kitchen feel dark and cavelike.
Overall, while the kitchen was not horribly outdated aesthetically, the layout and lack of light made it an inefficient and gloomy place to cook and congregate as a family. The homeowners knew opening it up and allowing more light in would make all the difference in this renovation.
Goals for the Kitchen Remodel
The homeowners came up with a few key goals to guide their kitchen redesign:
- Bring in more natural light – This was the top priority. Strategically adding windows and skylights would brighten up the previously dark, windowless kitchen.
- Open the floorplan – Taking down walls would make the kitchen feel more connected and spacious. Improved flow into the dining room was critical.
- Enhance functionality – Adjusting the work triangle and adding more storage would enhance the kitchen’s functionality and make it more user-friendly.
- Modernize aesthetics – The new light-filled, open kitchen would have an airy, contemporary style with less heavy, ornate detailing.
Keeping these goals in mind would ensure the redesign transformed this kitchen into a light-filled, modern, functional space for cooking and connecting. The homeowners collaborated closely with their contractor and designer to make this vision a reality.
Design Details to Let in More Light
The homeowners and their contractor came up with several clever design tweaks to flood the formerly dark kitchen with natural light:
Removing Walls
Taking down existing walls opened up the kitchen to let light flow in from adjoining spaces. They removed:
- The wall separating the kitchen from the dining room
- The pantry wall segmenting the kitchen
- A third wall closing off the kitchen near the back door
This instantly helped the kitchen feel more open and airy.
Installing Skylights
The contractor added two large skylights to the ceiling. Positioning the skylights to align with the main kitchen work triangle ensures the prime work areas benefit from direct overhead sunlight.
Adding New Windows
Where existing walls remained, new windows were added to enhance natural lighting. A rectangular window now sits above the sink, and glass door cabinets provide light over the new breakfast bar.
Swapping Out Materials
The previous dark wood cabinets and granite made the kitchen feel heavy and closed off. The redesign swapped these for painted Shaker cabinets, white quartz countertops and a subway tile backsplash. These lighter colors help reflect light, opening up the space.
Executing the Light-Filled Kitchen Remodel
With the layout reworked and design details finalized, it was time to tackle the renovation itself. The project involved several key steps:
Demo and Prep Work
The contractor started by demolishing the existing kitchen layout to prepare the blank canvas. This involved removing cabinetry, appliances, flooring and walls marked for rearrangement. They had to disconnect and cap plumbing and electrical lines before altering the room’s structure.
Structural Reconfiguration
Construction workers could then execute the new kitchen layout, moving, removing or opening up walls as planned. Steel beams and temporary supports reinforced the necessary structural changes. The space began taking shape.
Insulation and HVAC
New exterior walls and skylight openings were properly insulated and sealed to avoid temperature regulation issues and prevent leaks. The HVAC system was adjusted to account for the redesigned floor plan.
Installation of Lighting
With the room reconfiguration complete, installing the new lighting elements was critical to achieve the light-filled aesthetic. Workers carefully placed the skylights and added new windows and glass cabinetry where intended.
Flooring and Trims
Hardwood flooring warmed up the previously tile space. New trimwork helped provide a polished look around the edges and openings created.
Cabinetry and Plumbing
Custom cabinetry outfitted the kitchen, tailoring storage to the new layout. The team installed lighting under the upper cabinets. Plumbing and electrical were updated to fit code and serve the relocated appliances.
Countertops and Backsplash
The countertop installation team templated the new cabinetry before fabricating and fitting the sleek white quartz tops. The subway tile backsplash brought a clean, classic look.
Finishing Touches
Final details like repainting the walls, installing lighting fixtures and hardware, and caulking countertops made the space complete. The coordinated look aligned with the homeowners’ vision.
The renovation process required careful coordination among electricians, plumbers, designers and other specialists. Thoughtful planning and phased construction allowed the kitchen to be safely renovated with minimal disruption to the household.
The Reveal: A Light-Filled, Open Kitchen
After months of planning and renovation work, the homemade were thrilled to reveal their kitchen’s transformation. The remodel achieved all their initial goals, creating a space that looks and functions better.
Brighter, More Spacious Layout
Strategically placed skylights and windows flood the entire kitchen with natural light. Whereas it previously felt confined, the open concept floor plan now expands seamlessly into the dining area.
Lighter, Contemporary Elements
The white and wood color scheme gives the space an airy look and feel. Swapping heavy granite and cabinets for sleek, painted cabinetry and quartz opened up the room. The green subway tile backsplash adds soft color.
Enhanced Functionality
Removing walls improved traffic flow. The pantry got relocated across from the fridge, streamlining the work triangle. Extra drawers and cabinets provide abundant storage.
Cohesion With the Home’s Aesthetic
The kitchen matches the clean-lined, transitional style of the rest of the recently renovated home. Timeless elements like marble hexagon floor tile and brass hardware add warmth.
The dramatic transformation proves the power of letting the light in. The kitchen went from a disconnected, closed-off space to an inviting family hub full of natural light. Opening up the floors and ceilings made a world of difference without changing the overall footprint. This stunning makeover shows how strategic design decisions can completely revitalize a tired, outdated kitchen.
FAQs About Bringing More Light Into a Kitchen Remodel
Many homeowners considering kitchen renovations want to achieve a brighter, more open and airy space. Here are answers to common questions about incorporating light into your kitchen remodel:
How much do skylights cost to install?
Adding one or more skylights is one of the most effective ways to increase natural light. Skylight installation costs range from $500-$2,500 depending on the size, type (fixed or ventilating) and roofing material. Complex rooflines or the need for structural upgrades may increase price.
What are good materials for reflecting light in a kitchen?
Light-colored, non-glossy materials help reflect and diffuse natural light rather than absorbing it. Good choices include white or light painted cabinets, quartz or marble countertops, and subway tile or glass backsplashes.
Should I remove walls to open up my kitchen?
If walls are not load-bearing, removing them can open up small, closed-off kitchens. Eliminate walls between the kitchen and dining room, or interior walls segmenting your existing kitchen, to improve light flow and spaciousness. Consult your contractor.
How many cabinets should have glass doors?
Strategically adding some glass-front upper cabinets over sinks, counters and workstations lets light filter through. Glass on 30-40% of uppers creates openness without sacrificing essential storage space.
Should I add more windows when renovating my kitchen?
More windows make a noticeable difference, especially placing larger windows above sinks and cooktops. Consider adding windows, replacing existing windows with larger versions or converting solid walls into windows to maximize light.
What paint colors work best for light kitchens?
Soft whites and pale grays make colors that keep kitchens feeling bright and airy. Avoid darker or warm-toned paints like beige or yellow, which can make rooms feel smaller and dark. Consider accent walls with light blues or greens.
Conclusion
This inspiring before and after kitchen remodel shows how strategic renovation decisions can flood a space with natural light. Opening up the floor plan, adding skylights and windows, and selecting light finishes transformed a closed-off, dated kitchen into an inviting gathering space. The results prove that a kitchen makeover focused on letting in more light can completely revitalize the heart of a home.
If your kitchen feels small, dark or disconnected, don’t despair. There are countless smart ways to introduce more light and spaciousness into your existing layout. From demolishing walls to swapping up finishes, even modest changes can make a dramatic difference. Work with contractors and designers experienced in lighting-focused kitchen remodels to uncover your best options. With good planning and execution, your dreary, cramped kitchen can become a luminous, open showpiece of your home. Let the light in and see your kitchen shine like never before.