This 1970s Kitchen Redo Is So Dramatic, I Can’t Get It Out of My Head
There are some kitchens that you can look at and immediately know the year they were built (for better or for worse). Maybe it’s filled with Tuscan-inspired touches (hello, 2000s) or checkerboard tile floor (1920s) or metal cabinets (1950s). Or, in the case of this kitchen, maybe it’s decorated with vinyl floor in earthy tones, beige laminate counters, and brown paneled wood cabinets — very 1970s.
Now, I love homes that show off old-school character, but ultimately, your home should feel cozy and inviting to you. And it’s easy to see why this kitchen — which was actually pretty spacious! — didn’t feel so inviting with all its yellow and brown tones and the low-hanging ceiling light. Their smart redo has stuck with me ever since it was published last year, because the new kitchen looks so much bigger, brighter, and more functional but still (remarkably, I think!) kept pretty much the same footprint.
The secret to this fresh look lies in the color scheme: classic white cabinets, white walls, and white counters with warm wood floors. The light color of the cabinets makes the space feel lots more open, as does the choice to use a combination of glass-front upper cabinets and open shelving.
One big change the homeowners did make was knocking out a wall between the kitchen and dining room, which made space for an island that has tons of practical storage space as well as a large open top for food prep or meal time. This, I think, was a particularly brilliant move because the old kitchen had such a large expanse of unused floor space in the middle — now it’s actually being utilized!
I’ve talked before about loving kitchens that rely on small aesthetic changes to make a big transformation, but there’s something so satisfying about seeing a kitchen make a total 180 in both style and functionality. And I think this kitchen is a great example of a complete overhaul that still works with the boundaries of the existing floor plan!
You can read more about this kitchen in the full before and after. And if you’re feeling like you want to try something like this yourself and you want even more inspiration, check out these 35 gorgeous white kitchens.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
