Inspiring Kitchen Design: Small and Cramped to Open and Inviting

Before and After: how a cramped and dated kitchen was transformed to an open, modern and inviting space.

Check out the BEFORE picture of the kitchen and dining room

We felt like we were transported back in time as soon as we entered into this home. All the doors, windows, cabinets, fixtures were from 6 decades ago. At least the appliances and vertical blinds were updated! Yes they were. IN THE 80s!

1960s Arizona Ranch-Style Home

All the doors, windows, cabinets and fixtures were from 60 years ago but in great condition.

Cramped kitchen BEFORE renovation

80s pink wall phone

The house had low ceilings everywhere making the rooms feel so tight. If the fridge door was open, you won't be able to pass through. See those windows? I'm short and I still had to duck down to see the beautiful cacti in the backyard, what?! The washer and dryer were in the kitchen making it feel even more cramped. Yes, that pink rotary phone was still in working order.

I do have to say, those solid wood cabinets were in excellent condition. They look as if they were made and installed by a master carpenter who took pride in his work.

We knocked down the walls that kept the kitchen separated from the living and dining areas. The floors got tiled so they're easy to clean.

BEFORE: walls divided the kitchen from the living room

Mid-century modern UFO chandelier

Check out the mid-century modern chandelier! It's solid brass and you can move the fixture up or down depending on what you're doing. I like unique items so I obviously kept it!

Small Doesn't Mean Cramped

Small areas can feel larger by opening up a wall.

Enjoying the Pusch Ridge mountains from the front, and the mature cactus garden in the back from the indoors is a must because of the hot summers here in Arizona. With the existing segregated areas and small windows, we would not be able to enjoy the views from inside. It's roll-up-the-sleeves and elbow grease time! We knocked down the walls, maximized the ceiling height, installed picture windows, installed tile, etc. It's making me tired just thinking of all the work we did! Don't get me wrong, we had an awesome contractor, but we also did a loooooooot of work to save money.

Kitchen DURING renovations with the wall & ceiling gone

Kitchen with new windows, higher ceiling

The Finished Space

We wanted to update this small house to make it livable while keeping its unique and historic qualities.

This is what the kitchen and dining room look like after most of the renovations! We didn't have a large budget for this whole house renovation so we had to be very careful with how we spent it. We kept our eyes open for store sales, and I searched FB Marketplace and Craiglist for items I can upcycle.

Kitchen AFTER renovations

Dining AFTER renovations

The space cried for a kitchen island but we had to be smart with our budget. The previous homeowners left an old dresser in the master bedroom so I decided to refinish it to use as the kitchen island. I'll post about that soon.

Kitchen Island made from an old dresser

This leathered quartzite countertop is so beautiful

Look at the leathered quartzite counter! Isn't it beautiful? I tried to take a picture to show its texture and colors. It just begs to be touched!

Here's what the renovated kitchen and dining room look like furnished!

AFTER renovations: furnished kitchen and dining room

Click here if you'd like to see the whole house completely renovated.

What do you think?

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