Home Improvement Kitchen Remodel & Repair

10 Amazing Before and After Kitchen Remodels

Fresh White Kitchen with Green Cabinets
Cavan Images / Getty Images

If you live in a home that has not been updated in decades, then your kitchen likely needs a renovation. Take a look at how these kitchen makeovers add more space in the kitchen, brighten the room, or maximize functionality. Most of these stunning kitchen redos feature refacing of cabinets, as well as new countertops and backsplashes. Room changers like new flooring and high-end appliances round out many of these makeovers.

Here are 10 incredible before and after kitchen remodeling projects.

  • 01 of 10

    Before: Itching for an Update

    Kitchen Remodel with Island Before
    Murray Lampert

    This San Diego kitchen already had a lot going for it when Murray Lampert started remodeling it. The space was generous. The kitchen had an island, cove ceiling, and plenty of room for counter-depth appliances. But the kitchen was on the verge of becoming worn out and cosmetically outdated.

    After: Let There Be Light

    Kitchen Remodel with Breakfast Bar After
    Kitchen Remodel with Breakfast Bar After Murray Lampert

    This fantastically transformed kitchen was brought up to date, turning the island into a breakfast bar, stripping away the mid-2000's pendant lights, and adding glass mosaic tiles for the backsplash. The result was a bright, colorful, and highly functional kitchen that integrated well with the rest of the house.

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  • 02 of 10

    Before: Drab to Fab

    Kitchen Remodel Ski Slopes Before
    Karr Bick Kitchens & Bath

    It's no mistake that kitchen designer Jenny Rausch at Karr Bick in Brentwood, Missouri, felt connected to this project. "This project was extra special for me," she said. "I played in this kitchen when I was a kid." The clients wanted a significant change. The kitchen still had oak-trimmed white melamine cabinets from decades ago.

    After: Lofty Inspirations

    Kitchen Remodel Ski Slopes After
    Karr Bick Kitchens and Bathrooms

    Cozy comfort rules this kitchen's fantastic all-over change. The design was inspired by the client's love for vacationing on the ski slopes and included a relaxing earthen paint scheme. The kitchen features premium-quality kitchen cabinets and a unique countertop that mimics the striations found in sandstone.

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  • 03 of 10

    Before: Falling Apart

    Non Functional Kitchen Rehab Before
    Lemon Thistle

    This kitchen was unattractive; however, the driving factor for Lemon & Thistle's Colleen Pastoor to demo the space was not the cosmetics as much as it was the kitchen's non-functionality. The space had a non-working stove, an odd fridge, and no dishwasher. It was time for an overhaul.

    After: Modern Farmhouse Chics

    Non Functional Kitchen Rehab After
    Lemon & Thistle

    This kitchen boasts a new chic farmhouse style. Ikea Ramsjos cabinets and super HD graphic Soapstone Sequoia Formica countertops form the foundation for this kitchen's fresh new look.

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  • 04 of 10

    Before: Heavy and Dreary

    Kitchen Sprucing Before
    Love & Olive Oil

    Food blogger Lindsay said her kitchen was dreary and no longer a fun place for cooking. Tired of the maple cabinets and "dreaded black countertops," the massive kitchen island was clunky and way too big for the space.

    After: Chef's Delight

    Kitchen Sprucing After
    Love & Olive Oil

    Lindsay sanded down the battered floors and stained them a rich walnut color. She replaced the maple cabinets with sparkling new white ones. The too-big island came out, and the sink moved under the window. Now Lindsay and husband Taylor have the perfect environment for their culinary creations.

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  • 05 of 10

    Before: No Excuses

    Carla Aston's Kitchen Remodel Before
    Carla Aston

    Usually, when you remodel your kitchen, you can blame the design faux pas on previous homeowners. Carla Aston came right out and said she had no one to blame but herself. She had initially designed this kitchen when she moved in, around 2001. She couldn't wait to get rid of the textured, glazed wall treatment.

    After: High Contrast

    Carla Aston's Kitchen Remodel After
    Carla Aston

    This kitchen remodel is light, vibrant, and pops with contrast. Leather finish granite counters from Marron Cohiba balance out the creamy white cabinets and sleekly polished nickel cabinet pulls.

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  • 06 of 10

    Before: Kitchen Intervention

    Subway Tile Kitchen Remodel Before
    Chris Loves Julia

    This small, 45-square-foot kitchen space in Pittsburgh was a challenge for designers Chris and Julia. It had a shoddy electrical system, a radiator in​ the corner, and insufficient counter room. Topping off everything, the kitchen belonged to Julia's aunt and uncle.

    After: Sleek & Professional

    Subway Tile Kitchen Remodel After
    Chris Loves Julia

    This six-day transformation kept the subway tile, but so much is remarkably different. It includes Frigidaire Professional appliances and sleek gray Shaker-style cabinets. It now provides a "professional-grade cooking and entertaining environment."

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  • 07 of 10

    Before: Guilty as Charged

    Makerista Kitchen Before
    Makerista/Gwen Hefner

    Gwen Hefner of The Makerista was happy to pull the trigger on her kitchen remodel. She felt her kitchen was "worn and tired, lacking storage, and missing function."

    After: High-End Style, Low-End Price

    Makerista Kitchen After
    Makerista / Gwen Hefner

    This show-stopping kitchen rehab includes all new cabinetry, flooring, and countertops and all done on a budget. Gwen said she got a "high-end look at a home improvement store price."

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  • 08 of 10

    Before: In Need of a Facelift

    Hi Sugar Plum Kitchen Before
    Hi Sugarplum

    Cassie of Hi Sugarplum wanted to make mostly cosmetic changes in her functional kitchen. She didn't remodel, but instead refaced and retread her current kitchen. The star of this makeover is the ​statement tile: Merola Twenties Classic 7 3/4-inch by 7 3/4-inch ceramic tile.

    After: Bold Statement

    Hi Sugar Plum Kitchen Before
    Hi Sugar Plum

    Cassie did not relocate a single appliance or change the countertops. She kept the island and cabinets and refreshed them with several coats of brightly colored paint. The star of this kitchen is the ​statement tile: Merola Twenties Classic 7 3/4-inch by 7 3/4-inch ceramic tile. Other substantial surface improvements included installing hardwood flooring and a new vent hood. New kitchen additions were a fridge, pendant lighting, and updated hardware for the faucet and cabinet pulls.

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  • 09 of 10

    Before: No View

    Kristi's Kitchen Before Remodel
    Addicted 2 Decorating

    Kitchen windows are lovely when they bring in natural light and charming views. But when the kitchen window looks out to nothing special (in this case, a sun porch), what do you do? The window issue was just one of the many problems that home blogger Kristi at Addicted 2 Decorating wanted to tackle with her remodel.

    After: Hacker Heaven

    Kristi's Kitchen After Remodel
    Addicted 2 Remodeling

    This gorgeous kitchen's cabinets are all stock, off-the-shelf oak cabinets from Home Depot. Kristi hacked them to the hilt. She added decorative columns, furniture feet, lots of trim and crown molding, glass inserts in four of the doors, paint, gold leaf, pretty hardware, corbels, and sconces. All the cabinetry cost well under $2,500. In place of the window is a beautiful glass cabinet.

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  • 10 of 10

    Before: Hardly Spectacular

    Centsational Girl Kitchen Before Remodel
    Centsational Girl

    Design blogger Kate, who goes by the moniker Centsational Girl, felt that her kitchen was far from sensational. From the floral wallpaper and gigantic fluorescent ceiling light to the outdated oak cabinets and creaky appliances, she wanted a kitchen redo.

    After: Truly Sensational

    Centsational Girl Kitchen After Remodel
    Centsational Girl

    Now her kitchen shimmers. Light bounces off the hexagon pattern tile (Oceanside Tile) and Caesarstone quartz in Pure White. The CliqStudios cabinetry is a calming blue-gray hue and the insides were painted the same color for continuity.​