This kitchen renovation is a favorite, because it is mine! Hi, Melissa here!

My husband and I bought this home a few years ago as a starter home, and it was in good condition, but dated. The home had beige walls and orange-red oak cabinets in the ktichen. Now, I know, red oak is a good quality, but the cabinets were worn, and not my preferred design style. Our kitchen had cream laminate countertops and backsplash, which were quite dated. My absolute least favorite part of our kitchen was the sink, a chunky cast-iron drop-in with scratches, easy stains, and a dividing bar located almost directly under the faucet water stream, which made washing large pots and pans a massive challenge.

The layout was less than ideal, as it is a small kitchen measuring around 160 square feet. The sightlines from the kitchen to the adjacent rooms was zero, and that was after we removed the swinging double doors at the entry to the living room and lounge. With little kids running around to play and football games only something to be heard from the kitchen, we wanted to open the kitchen up.

Considering load bearing walls and structural considerations, we decided to open the wall from the kitchen to the living room, but only above a peninsula countertop. This allowed for dream prep-space (which the previous design had none of) and created sightlines to the living room for interaction while cooking. The sink and dishwasher remained in the existing locations, but the oven that was too small to house regular-sized baking sheets was removed and replaced with the refrigerator location. This location for the refrigerator was much better, allowing for the large appliance to be tucked away in the corner, instead of in the middle of the kitchen mix.

The dated stovetop unit that had too many nooks and crannies to count was removed and replaced with a combination range, featuring a glass top and double oven. A new microwave was a nice addition to the previous that was about as old as I am.

Our laminate countertops were removed and replaced with a beautiful stone countertop. The kitchen lighting was updated from a single dim fixture to wafer lights that added a much better illumination. Overall, I am in love with the new kitchen design and can’t wait for construction to start. It will still be a humble space, requiring some creative storage and a de-cluttered lifestyle, but for me and my family in our current life stage - it will be perfect.