Kitchen Remodel Before and After

If you follow along on Instagram, you might have seen our kitchen remodel progress. Because it was more of an ongoing project, there was never a really big reveal. This was a labor of love between family, friends, and even my boys jumped in to help a bit. However, I still love looking at our kitchen remodel before and after to see how far it has come! This project was a huge undertaking that required months of planning, thoughtful design decisions, and a hands-on DIY approach that made it even more rewarding in the end.

Here’s a view of the finished space. The photo is outdated but once you see the before image, it’s pretty unbelievable! Scroll to the end for sources and links.

Kitchen Before

The kitchen was part of the overall house remodel of our main floor, which we started immediately upon purchasing this home. First, we tackled new hardwood floors, repainted all of the walls, removed some unnecessary pony walls, and replaced mismatched trim.

In the kitchen, we started from scratch. Unfortunately, because of the condition of most items, there wasn’t much left to salvage. My main goal was to create as much space and light as possible in this narrow galley. One of the biggest challenges was maximizing storage while maintaining an airy, open feel—a balance that required careful planning.

Design Decisions & DIY Process

This home has an incredible view which was really the selling point. It has lovely large window overlooking the property, but it was a custom build in the 1970’s and not very functional at all with very long and narrow spaces. The trick here was being both functional and design oriented – within a somewhat limited budget.

Cabinetry & Shelving

As one of the first steps of this kitchen remodel, we ripped out the cabinets and built an entirely new setup. On one wall, we opted for open shelving (check out my guide on How to Make Wood Shelves) to add space, openness, and visual interest. This was a major DIY effort, requiring us to measure, cut, sand, and stain the wood ourselves. I worked with my brother, a bracket maker, to make these show-stopping shelves – perfect for a small galley layout.

We also removed the soffits (those little boxed sections above cabinets and above the bar), which created a much taller, open look. Additionally, this allowed us to install taller cabinets on the opposite wall, adding more storage without overwhelming the space. Choosing white cabinetry helped reflect light and made the room feel larger.

Backsplash & Countertops

One of my favorite design decisions was the subway tile backsplash. Instead of the traditional 3” x 6” size, I chose a longer 4” x 16” tile that extended from the countertop to the ceiling. This created height, a sleek finish, and an uncluttered look. We went with a neutral gray grout, which added subtle contrast but not too silvery or dark.

For countertops, we selected Silestone by Cosentino in Desert Silver (Matte Quartz). I chose this material as it’s a fairly budget friendly choice but also durable and easy to maintain. I found a local countertop shop that had lower prices than some of the more mainstream options so shopping around a bit definitely paid off.

Lighting & Fixtures

Since the kitchen originally felt dark and enclosed, I had visions of light and bright. I might’ve over corrected here a bit but when it came to lighting I tried my best to avoid blocking the view. Above the sink, I used a flush-mount vintage-inspired light. For fixtures, we chose the Moen Genta Faucet and Blanco Single Bowl Sink in Silgranit White, both of which offered a minimal look and had high marks for durability.

Appliances & Finishing Touches

We replaced all of the outdated appliances with matching GE Profile models, making the small space feel more cohesive and high-end. Since it’s a galley kitchen, a counter-depth refrigerator was essential for keeping walkways in this narrow galley kitchen.

Because I went all in on the white, I need to bring in some warmth, so we added woven blinds in Kula Sandy Beach, which tie into our flooring and adjacent dining space beautifully. Finally, we painted the walls Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace and used Sherwin Williams Pure White for the trim, creating a crisp and timeless look.

DIY Challenges & Lessons Learned

As with any major home renovation, there were plenty of learning curves with this kitchen remodel! Tearing out cabinets, removing soffits, and tiling from countertop to ceiling were all intense DIY tasks that took careful planning and a lot of patience. Some of the biggest challenges we faced included:

• Leveling the floors before installing cabinetry – This was trickier than expected and required extra time.
• CInstalling open shelving – These were some of the first and now capstone shelves I created with my brother at Cascade Iron Co. Drilling into the tile was nerve wracking, but totally worth it!
• Grouting the backsplash – The longer subway tiles required extra care to keep the lines straight so I’m glad we found a very detail oriented installer for this part

Despite these challenges, every step was super rewarding. This kitchen was transformed on a budget and is far from perfect, but I am so proud of what we accomplished in this space.

Kitchen Remodel Sources

• Emser Tile 4” x 16” Subway in White Matte and Warm Gray Grout
• Quartz Countertops – Silestone by Consentino in Desert Silver, Polished
• Moen Genta Faucet
• Blanco Single Bowl Sink  in Silgranit White
• Flush Mount Vintage Inspired Light
• GE CounterDepth ProfileRefriegrator
• GE Slide in Range
• GE dishwasher
• GE Range Hood
• Bar and Counter Stools
• Natural Woven Blinds – in Kula Sandy Beach (same as our bedroom)
• Heavy Duty J Brackets in Black
• Paint (throughout our home): Walls – Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace,  Trim Work – Sherwin Williams Pure White

Final Thoughts

Overall, this was an extremely rewarding renovation project. It was a joint effort with my husband, brother, and friends. Even my boys jumped in to help. We took a dark, kind of depressing space and turned it into the focus of our home. It’s light, bright, open and totally functional. Of course, there are a few things I’d go back and change but overall, this kitchen remodel is a huge success. I hope the before and after gives you loads of inspiration for your own home.

If you’re looking for more design ideas, check out my post where I answer Home Design Questions and the Dining Room Remodel to see the adjoining room to this space.