Kitchen Remodel Before and After + 11 Ideas That Add Value
Looking for kitchen remodel ideas that add value and function to your home?
A full kitchen remodel can be really crazy. There's often a ton of second guessing and planning that go into a total kitchen overhaul, but there doesn't have to be. If you've got a solid decor plan it will make all your decisions easier.
Today, I’m sharing what we did to transform our kitchen + add real value and major function to our space - without breaking the bank.
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In This Article
Before Our Kitchen Remodel
The other day I stumbled on photos of what our house looked like when we bought it, and let me tell you this home has come a long way. Our DIY kitchen remodel definitely made the biggest difference in the way we live in our home.
I had a vision for this kitchen from day one, but we actually lived with it for about 8 months before taking on this project. Taking the time to live in this space before making any big changes allowed us to get a feel for how we wanted the kitchen to function and know exactly what changes we wanted to make - besides getting rid of the obvious ugly.
Can you even believe that the kitchen below is the same space?!
11 Kitchen Remodel Upgrades That Add Value
1 | Raise the upper cabinet height
The builder-grade cabinets were ridiculously short. Here we have high ceilings with standard height upper cabinets, but having that horizontal line on top of the cabinets was a huge visual distraction, plus a waste of storage space.
Modern homes typically have higher ceilings and the cabinets should be proportionate to the ceiling height so that it draws your eye up. Taller cabinets gave us more storage and made the room feel custom and intentional.
2 | Update the cabinet color
Outdated oak cabinets got the boot. Inspired by two-toned kitchens on Pinterest, we installed a two-toned cabinet design: White for the perimeter cabinets and dark brown for the island. This added to the custom feel of the kitchen and created interest by breaking things up a bit - and it gave us the opportunity to use two different color counter tops too (see #6 below.)
White cabinets or a darker cabinet stain like walnut are two choices that are timeless.
We tied the look together by using the same cabinet pulls throughout and used this handy method to install the cabinet hardware.
You might recognize the white cabinets as the same ones we used to create a built-in in our family room, which the kitchen opens up to.
3 | Add a built-in oven and range
We opted for a separate wall oven and stovetop for a seamless built-in look, which goes along with our decor plan. Plus it's a way to give your kitchen a custom feel, which always adds value.
Because we entertain a lot, I wanted a double oven, but installing an oven in the same location as the slide in range didn't allow for that. But you'll see… I still got two ovens! (Also, a double oven can get pricey. By purchasing two ovens we saved our kitchen remodel budget a bit.)
4 | Install a range hood
In high end kitchens the microwave isn't over the range. Nope, high end kitchens usually have range vent hoods, because high end homes are all about creating beautiful focal points, and drawing your eye all the way up.
Adding a range hood required us to move the microwave which ended up being awesome because we also added that second oven I wanted! We removed a small bit of counter space next to the refrigerator and added a wall cabinet to house both the microwave and the second oven - see #11 below.
5 | Add a kitchen island
Why this kitchen wasn't originally built with a true island is beyond me (let's be honest - that small cart in the middle wasn't cutting it). It had enough space so we made it happen, and it had a huge impact in our kitchen in multiple ways.
Adding a large island provided more prep space and extra storage. The back side of the island is all drawers where we store trash cans, everyday serving plates and bowls, Tupperware, and utensils.
And the front side, under the breakfast bar wasn't wasted either. I put 12 inch deep cabinets there where I keep things used less often, like small appliances, serving dishes, and the kids even have an art cabinet on the left!
6 | Choose quartz counter tops
Our home decor style is definitely on more modern so we wanted clean lines without a lot of pattern on our counter tops. Quartz was the perfect option because unlike granite, you can get almost solid colors without all of the flex and color variation.
We chose dark gray (Ceasarstone, Raven) on the perimeter of the kitchen to contrast the white cabinets, and a white shade that mimics marble (Ceasarstone, Misty Carrera) on the island to contrast the dark cabinets.
7 | Add pendant lighting
Our kitchen had recessed lights which we loved, but installing pendant lights over the island created a focal point that added style and better task lighting for where we do the most food prep.
We hired an electrician for this because the connections for these lights didn't already exist. He also made sure our kitchen was wired for a double oven.
8 | Incorporate a glass tile backsplash
Deciding on a backsplash tile was probably the hardest decision. I toyed with playing it safe with white tile, but I was craving a touch of color in this space.
But a colored tile meant that I'd be stuck with it - eek! In the end we chose a subtle light blue glass tile and we're so glad we did. A little color variation helped create the welcoming feel I wanted in our kitchen.
9 | Make room for a second oven
Having a true double oven wasn't an option with our kitchen configuration - but that didn't stop this lady from figuring out a way to get things just how I wanted them. We created a space for the second oven and a new location for our microwave by adding a tall wall cabinet next to the refrigerator to house the two.
We did have to give up a bit of counter space, but since we added so much counter space with the island, it was a no brainer. Plus, the little corner this configuration created next to the oven is the perfect spot to hide the toaster and the kid's lunch boxes when they aren't in use.
10 | Extend laminate flooring
Before we even moved in, we changed the old flooring in the house. We removed the berber carpet and tile entry and replaced it with a wide plank dark laminate wood floor. But knowing we were going to be remodeling the kitchen, we left the (ugly and dirty) linoleum floor there.
To complete the look of the kitchen, we installed the same dark wide plank laminate floor used throughout the main floor, which made the entire space feel more open and cohesive.
11 | Turn awkward spaces into assets
Ok. Take a second and scroll back up to the "before" photo and check out number 11. What is that?
The previous owners had put up vertical blinds there to block the hallway on the other side - not cool - and placed a large wall shelf in that little nook - whaaaat!?! But we had other plans. Plans that included a built-in beverage center with a wine fridge - what can I say? We've got priorities!
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How We Managed A Large DIY Kitchen Renovation
Our kitchen remodel definitely took a lot of planning.
But once the planning was done and it was time to do the work, we scheduled work days and got to work!
The hardest part of any kitchen remodel is the fact that you have to go without a kitchen!
In order to be without a kitchen for as little time as possible, here's what we did:
- Ordered and built IKEA cabinets ahead of time in the living room.
- Pre-scheduled professional help for the countertops and pendant lights
- Ordered the appliances in advance and had them waiting in the garage
- Took time off work and hired a babysiter
Once we had everything ready to go, we rented a dumpster and started gutting the kitchen. It was really exciting - and tiring.
When everything was cleared out and a little bit of wall damage was fixed, we started installing the cabinets.
Ikea cabinets are much easier to install than you might think! They hang on a rail system, so once the rail is on the wall, you just hang the cabinets and secure them.
The counter top guys installed the sink so we just had to figure out the plumbing and install the new garbage disposal once they were done.
Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?
Some of our friends thought we were nuts for taking on a project this big, but we couldn't afford to hire someone to do it. Our kitchen remodel was a huge undertaking, and we really weren't sure we could pull it off when we started - it really IS amazing what you can learn by just jumping in and doing it.
I love how it turned out and even after years of living with this kitchen, there's nothing I would change. It's the main hub of our home - where friends and family gather, and where we cook, connect, laugh, and live (and have many-o-glasses-of-wine.)
If you're on the fence about remodeling your kitchen, let this be your reminder: You can do this. And you don't need a massive budget to create a space you love.
Want more help planning beautiful, functional spaces? Head over to 3 Easy Steps To Plan A Room That Functions The Way You Want for more smart tips.
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