Before & After: Small Changes Made a Big Difference in This Little Kitchen

If you’ve ever found yourself a bit dismayed by a remodel where the homeowners took a perfectly serviceable kitchen and subjected it a complete gut renovation, then this project is for you. Instead of starting from scratch, Lindsay and Matt made just a few small changes to their Brooklyn kitchen, creating a fresh, modern space with a minimum of hassle (and a minimal budget).

The kitchen had been renovated shortly before Lindsay and Matt bought the apartment, so although the look of it wasn’t exactly to their taste, tearing everything out would have been impractical. Instead, they made just a few changes, which had a big impact on the look of the space.

The laminate countertop was replaced with a quartz one, and the old sink was swapped for a new undermount one, which has a sleek, minimal look. The new subway tile backsplash, which wraps around the oven, makes cleanup easier and adds a bit of character. And new pot rails (IKEA ones, from the look of it) provide a handy spot for frequently used utensils (a real boon in a kitchen without a lot of drawers).

The sleek new space is proof that you don’t have to spend a ton of money — or replace everything in your kitchen — to get a whole new look.

Lindsay and Matt found their contractor, Paul, on Sweeten, a free online resource that connects homeowners with local design and construction experts for renovations. You can read more about the project, see more photos, and find sources on the Sweeten blog.

Re-edited from a post originally published 2.19.17