This Family of 5's Kitchen Transformation Makes IKEA Cabinets Look Designer
ABOUT THIS BEFORE & AFTER
HOME TYPE: House
PROJECT TYPE: Kitchen
STYLE: Glam, Traditional
SKILL LEVEL: Professional
RENTAL FRIENDLY: No
It’s important that your kitchen works for your real life — especially your day-to-day storage and cooking needs. Interior designer Jan Odesanya (@mondon.interiors) admits that her kitchen was a major problem area in her home because “it wasn’t optimized for real-life use.” Sure, there was plenty of square footage, but it was being used in all the wrong ways.
“The pantry was way too small for a kitchen this size,” Jan says. Storage needed a rethink, and so did the kitchen layout. “Instead of maximizing the gorgeous lake view, it was positioned awkwardly,” Jan says. Previously, the island felt too small, and the peninsula bar seating felt like it was in the way.
Her kitchen needed an overhaul, and the renovation process taught Jan that compromising on budget and your initial design plan can still create a near-perfect result.
“I know what you might be thinking: ‘But Jan, you’re an interior designer! Renovations are your thing!’” Jan says. “Usually, I thrive on design challenges … [but] as you know, buying a new house doesn’t exactly leave your bank account flush with cash — more like spare change and lint!” Here’s how she still accomplished her designer dreams on a budget.
The layout got an overhaul with a larger island.
Jan knew that the biggest stage of the renovation would be knocking out the pantry and creating a better flow in the kitchen.
“We converted a formal dining space into a hidden spice kitchen/pantry,” Jan says. “The [new] pantry is disguised so seamlessly that most people don’t even realize it’s there!” And she turned the former pantry into a built-in coffee bar for the kitchen.
The L-shaped countertop and cabinets were removed and a new, larger island was installed parallel to the largest windows in the open-concept space. “The new layout allows us to face the lake view and interact with guests while cooking,” Jan says.
Making the cabinetry make sense was a game-changer.
The budget and time constraints didn’t allow Jan to get the custom cabinetry of her dreams (“Cue the internal screaming!” she jokes), but she was able to make the most of IKEA cabinets.
“We went with IKEA SEKTION cabinets with BODBYN doors — a classic off-white for the perimeter and gray for the island to add depth,” she says, noting that one big difference-maker was choosing drawers over cupboards. The new kitchen has 22 drawers and makes “pots, pans, and kitchen essentials way easier to access,” Jan says.
There’s also an IKEA appliance garage.
Over at the coffee bar, hidden storage is key. “Because we weren’t going custom, I got creative with IKEA’s roll-up cabinet doors to create an appliance garage with built-in electrical outlets for the toaster, kettle, and other small appliances,” Jan says. “It keeps clutter off the counters but still super accessible.” Above that, there’s a new wallpaper feature wall.
The IKEA cabinets look designer.
To help make the IKEA cabinets feel more custom, Jan switched out the standard IKEA knobs and drawer pulls with elevated brass hardware.
She also opted for high-quality Calacatta countertops to pair with them rather than an IKEA offering. “The bold veining gives a luxurious, high-end look while being incredibly durable for a family kitchen,” Jan says of the counters.
The renovation also features a new drop ceiling (a bit of a splurge) with LED light strips and new brass pendants to make the space look and feel more high-end and custom despite working with a tight budget.
The kitchen renovation is a balance of splurges and saves.
A couple areas where Jan saved money and prioritized practicality in the reno are with her large-format tile backsplash and her LVT flooring. “We went with grout lines to create a seamless, easy-to-clean finish that complements the countertops,” Jan says of the tile.
And the flooring provides “the perfect balance of warmth, durability, and a high-end look without the high-maintenance upkeep,” Jan says. “With three young kids, we needed something that could handle daily life while still complementing the rest of the design.”
Jan says her whole kitchen reno was about compromise. “This whole experience reminded me that sometimes ‘good enough’ is actually perfect. It’s about making smart choices, finding joy in the process, and creating a space that works for your life, not just for that Pinterest-perfect photo,” she says. “It’s not perfect — let’s be real, whose kitchen ever is? … It’s functional, stylish, and full of personality,” she says.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
Further Reading
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