The kitchen has truly become the heart of the modern home— which is why it tops the list as the most commonly remodeled room. Over the decades kitchens have evolved from out-of-the-way utilitarian spaces into centralized showstoppers, ready for gathering and entertaining. Many new construction homes reflect this shift, featuring open floorplans that highlight the kitchen. But what if your home is older, built in a time when kitchens were separated from the main living areas? Or perhaps your layout is ideal, but the kitchen itself feels outdated or worn. If you’re considering an upgrade, evaluating your current layout, preferences, and lifestyle needs can help you determine the right level of renovation—one that aligns with your vision and your budget.
A full kitchen renovation can range from a complete gut with all new finishes to more extensive changes—like removing walls, relocating plumbing, or even moving the kitchen to an entirely new part of the home. A refresh, on the other hand, focuses on working with the existing layout—preserving what still functions well while updating elements that don’t, with smaller-scale improvements that elevate the overall look and feel. While mid-range remodels can easily surpass $100,000—a price tag that isn’t feasible for everyone—the good news is that many kitchens don’t require a full overhaul. In fact, a common concern that we hear from customers isn’t about layout at all—it’s about dark, dated finishes. Often, a few smart updates and minor layout adjustments can completely transform the space, and you might be surprised by how much you can reuse.
Take this Classic Country Kitchen, for example. The homeowner loved her existing wood cabinetry and the layout worked well for her needs. Her appliances were newer and in great shape, so a full remodel just didn’t make sense. The only real issue was the refrigerator—its location was becoming a challenge, especially with newer models continuing to get bigger. On top of that, the all-brown-and-beige color scheme felt a little flat and didn’t quite connect with the rest of her home’s blue and white palette. In the end, a thoughtful refresh paired with added cabinetry proved to be the perfect way to bring new life to the space without starting from scratch.
By borrowing space from the under-stairs pantry closet, we carved out a new niche for the refrigerator—freeing up the tight access at the end of the peninsula (see below before photos). The fridge’s original spot was transformed into a sleek new pantry cabinet with rolling drawers. The remaining space beneath the stairs was efficiently utilized to create a small walk-in pantry. To keep the design seamless, we concealed the pantry entry behind cabinet doors, making the entire wall look like a continuous run of cabinetry. Rather than trying to match the existing wood cabinets, we chose to paint the new ones, helping the space feel lighter, brighter, and more open.
For the existing wood cabinets, we added crown molding and updated the hardware with classic unlacquered brass knobs and pulls, which contrast beautifully with the rich, warm wood tones. The countertops were replaced with stunning Calacatta Gold quartz, brightening up the space and breaking up the dominance of brown tones. To incorporate the homeowner’s love of blue, we added a handmade-style blue subway tile that extends all the way to the ceiling. Even the smaller details—like carrying the shiplap from the family room into the backsplash for the hutch and updating the sink and faucet—made a big impact. The result is a gorgeous kitchen that flows effortlessly into the rest of the home, all without the need for a complete renovation.
BEFORE PHOTOS
