Wooden kitchen counter with black countertop, small sink, and coffee maker, labeled "before" in orange.
Before & After: Laminate Countertop Goes Concrete!
Updating old laminate countertops without having to completely replace them can be a big challenge. Faux finishes can often look, well… faux, and tackling a DIY project (like pouring your own concrete countertops) can be tricky and exhausting. That’s why I was so impressed with this project from interior designer Kara Paslay.Kara managed a realistic concrete look without the hassle and weight of fully-formed slabs.
Jul 17, 2020
Unexpected Drama: An Out-of-the-Box Kitchen Color Combo
It’s an exciting time to be choosing a kitchen color scheme. Not only have we seen a lot of fresh trends emerge in recent years, but bold and playful hues are ever more welcome in this traditional space. If you’re a color lover looking to branch out in your kitchen this year, you might want to take a peek at this surprising color combo to see if it’s right for you.
Jul 17, 2020
Pimp My Small Kitchen: 10 Cheap, Renter-Friendly Improvements
All the small space goodness from last month inspired me to make some tweaks and additions to make my small Brooklyn kitchen more serviceable and user-friendly (especially since I am its primary user). The changes are affordable, renter-friendly and, hopefully, helpful to some of you simmering and sautéing away in your own small kitchens. 1. Over-the-Stove Cutting Board: small kitchens are a challenge not just for storing things but for actually cooking.
Jul 17, 2020
Farmhouse Fabulous: All About Apron Sinks
The apron-front, or farmhouse, sink has been a popular fixture in all kinds of kitchens for some time now, and with the rise in popularity of kitchens that mix traditional and modern elements, it feels more appropriate than ever. If you’re considering adding one of these big beauties to your space, here’s everything you need to know. Searching for a farmhouse sink? See all of our best picks here.
Jul 17, 2020
7 Things You Should Know Before Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re looking for a relatively painless, low-cost way to update your kitchen, and have ever been on the internet, you know that painting your cabinets is the way to go. Honestly, I can’t think of better dollar-to-dramatic improvement ratio on any other project. And the news gets better: It’s way easier now than it was the olden days, before the miracle of chalk paint.
Jul 17, 2020
14 Foods You Can Re-Grow from Kitchen Scraps
That trash is treasure.
Jul 17, 2020
Before and After: A Dim Orange Kitchen Gets a Sophisticated Scandi-Boho Redo
This kitchen was so dark that you could hardly see what you were cooking at night.
Jul 17, 2020
Apartment Therapy on Copying to Learn
My kitchen Before.. just two-three months ago. Name:Type of Project:Location:Type of building:Whenever I am asked how you learn to make good interior design decisions, how to trust yourself or how to just plain have style, I say the same thing. Start by copying. I don’t mean the type of copying where you cheated in high school by looking at someone else’s answers.
Jul 17, 2020
How to Nail the Pristine Pantry Kitchen Trend in Your Own Home
Move over, shelfies; there’s a new trend in town. At Apartment Therapy, we spend a lot of our time talking about how to make your kitchen a more beautiful place. How to make a statement with your backsplash. How to spruce up your kitchen floors with a runner. But how to beautify your pantry? Not so much. When it comes to design, the pantry is really a forgotten spot. Sure, there are plenty of pantries organized to perfection, but a beautiful design has never been a huge priority.
Jul 17, 2020
5 Common Kitchen Space-Wasting Mistakes and How To Quickly Fix Them
Your kitchen is only so big, so if you’ve run out of storage room, it’s time to make the space work harder and be more efficient. It’s easy to miss potential, but look closely and you’ll find lots more opportunities to store essentials and clutter. Here are five ways we often get it wrong, and how you can quickly remedy your kitchen mistakes.
Jul 17, 2020
9 Ways To Make Existing Storage Cabinets More Space Efficient
If you can’t add more actual storage cabinets to your living space, you can always increase the capacity of what’s already there. This includes kitchen cupboards, free-standing wardrobes, media centers, and medicine cabinets — all of which are silently pleading “make me better, make me better!” Fulfill their organizational destinies, with these nine tips… 1. Go for store-bought inserts that increase the amount of stuff that cabinets hold.
Jul 17, 2020
Butcher Block Countertops Have One Major Drawback
Butcher countertops are still having their moment. They can add warmth and character to an otherwise sterile kitchen, and the natural and classic look of wood can simultaneously upgrade a kitchen and give it a timeless feel. But as with any trend, you should be wary of adopting it unless it’s a style that truly and personally brings you joy. When it comes to butcher block countertops, which require extra maintenance and can pose unique challenges, this is especially true.
Jul 17, 2020
This Weekend: Dedicate An Hour To This Dirty Kitchen Zone
It doesn’t matter if you see washing dishes as a necessary evil, or if it’s a meditative time to focus your thoughts while doing routine chores. All of our kitchen sinks need TLC from time to time. It’s where we wash our food and cookware daily, store cleaning products, and where all our dirty messes go down the drain. Scrubbing the sink and organizing underneath isn’t glamorous, but certainly makes your kitchen a more effective and pleasant place to be.
Jul 17, 2020
Andi’s Kitchen Renovation: The Big Reveal
Before: The kitchen, although graced with beautiful large windows, left a little something to be desired. After: A new kitchen from the studs inward, including a new Kohler sink and industrial task lighting above the windows for more functionality.From Andi: Possibly the most luxurious thing is the increased square footage (we went from 95 to 170 square feet).
Jul 17, 2020
Claire & Jeffrey’s Kitchen: The Big Reveal
For all of us who have been following along with Claire and Jeffrey’s renovation, the ultimate moment has finally arrived. That’s right — the kitchen is finally complete, and it’s time for the big reveal. Before: The space viewed from the living room entry. After: Now, the kitchen is wide open, with an uninterrupted view of the window to the backyard.From Claire:We spend all of our free time in this room.
Jul 17, 2020
7 Kitchens That Are Rocking an L-Shaped Layout
One of the most important kitchen design decisions you’ll make, both for looks and functionality, is the layout. You have a few options—the tried and true U shape, or the elegant and functional galley shape. But if you love entertaining, and love the look of an open kitchen, there’s another kind of kitchen layout that’s worth a look: the L shape. An L-shaped kitchen has just two runs of cabinetry, arranged at right angles to each other. (The name pretty much says it all.
Jul 17, 2020
Cheap Ways to Make Your Kitchen Cabinets Feel Totally New
New year, new kitchen.
Jul 17, 2020
Marble Countertops 101: Yes, They’re a Great Idea!
I’ve always loved white marble countertops and I last wrote about them five years ago (43 comments BTW). They are bright, elegant, add character and are wonderful to cook on, particularly if you’re baking. They can also be one of the cheapest stone solutions if you choose Carrara marble, making them a great choice if you’re on an IKEA kitchen installation budget. However, many people are afraid of them due to the perception that they are high maintenance.
Jul 17, 2020
Watch How This Simple Change Makes a Dramatic Cabinet Difference
They may be some of the smallest details in a kitchen, but a change (or addition) of cabinet hardware can totally update a room’s entire look. Available in a disorienting array of finishes, shapes, sizes and materials, the sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing what to adorn your cabinet doors and drawers with. But perhaps you’re not entirely convinced that a few knobs can make a big visual difference in a kitchen? Check out the Photoshopped images below.
Jul 17, 2020
How to Organize a Small Apartment Kitchen: A 7-Step Plan
Kitchen set-ups often dictate the tone of the moments that make up our home lives—from the kinds of breakfasts grabbed during the morning rush to how often a home-cooked meal makes it to the table. Whether you’re starting afresh in a new place or you’re ready for a re-do of your current space, here’s how to organize a small kitchen so that rather than creating a Pyrex-wrangling, pots-and-pans banging mess out of you, it serves you.
Jul 16, 2020
Home Again Is Out Today, And With It, A New Nancy Meyers Kitchen To Love
If your weekend calls for a dose of interior eye candy, allow us to alert you to the existence of Home Again. The latest Nancy Meyers produced film with droolworthy sets (including a stellar kitchen, obviously) is in theaters today. The film is produced by Meyers and written and directed by her daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, in effect making it sort of like but not quite your average Meyers rom com.
Jul 16, 2020
$300 Later, This Rental Kitchen Is No Longer Recognizable
This is what Tara’s kitchen looked like when she moved in this past year. Not too pretty, eh? With her landlord’s approval, we did a light reno that didn’t cost a lot, but made a major difference in both appearance and function. Spending money on a rental isn’t for everyone — but for those of you who love to cook, have a horrible kitchen, and plan to stay put for awhile, then a little investment may well be worth the time and expense.
Jul 16, 2020
What You Can Expect From a $25-30,000 Kitchen Remodel
At this budget range, kitchen renovations mean less actual physical labor for the homeowners, who are able to leave most of that work to the professionals. That doesn’t mean a total hands off approach however. The owners of these kitchens either acted as their own general contractor, designed the space themselves, and shopped vigilantly for the best deals out there.
Jul 16, 2020
Jennifer’s Small Space Kitchen Renovation: The Big Reveal
Name: Jennifer Pade Type of Project: Kitchen remodel Location: West Village, New York, New York Type of building: 300 square foot apartment in a co-op building For those of you who have been following along with Jennifer’s NYC kitchen remodel, and who saw the truly dire state of her original kitchen, this reveal will be especially satisfying. The work is done, the dust has cleared, and now it’s time to take a look at the finished product.
Jul 16, 2020
Before and After: This Lackluster Kitchen Was Remodeled from Head to Toe
This plain kitchen was sort of… fine? We’ve seen gross kitchens and this one was far from it. If anything, it was a little sterile, with various off-white shades paired with some unflattering lighting. Here’s another view, where you can see that there weren’t any accent colors, textures, metal-mixing, or any of the other design elements that give a space interest.
Jul 16, 2020
Before & After: A Travel Inspired Kitchen Renovation
If there’s a leading trend, it’s embracing color, and that’s exactly what the talented crew at DC design firm Residents: Understood did with their clients Danielle and Peter. Using the young couple’s wanderlust as inspiration, R:U set about transforming sterile gloomy to bold global.Given that Danielle and Peter met while studying in Europe, got engaged in Iceland, and will be married in Italy this fall, they wanted to make a home that suited their vibrant life together.
Jul 15, 2020
How to Shop for Kitchen Cabinets on the Cheap
Cabinetry usually adds up to about half of kitchen renovation expenses, so if you have a small budget, you’ve got to find ways to cut costs. Shop sales, check second-hand and salvage stores, try a demolition auction, or find ways to get a custom look from big box sources.For kitchen cabinet sources, click here. Home Depot Big box stores like Home Depot have frequent discounts on stock kitchen cabinets.
Jul 15, 2020
Energy Saving Task Lighting in the Kitchen: 10 LED Under Cabinet Lights
I recently installed under cabinet lights in the kitchen of my rental apartment, and for a relatively small investment, they have made a big impact: They provide lighting for such kitchen tasks as dish washing and food prep, and their ambient glow is a pleasant alternative to the harsh overhead lighting I relied on previously. Fluorescent, halogen and xenonTOP ROW1. NON LED Countertop Light, $20 from IKEA2. LEDme Button Light, $54 from WAC Lighting3.
Jul 15, 2020
10 Clever DIY Projects to Hide Household Eyesores
Here’s the unfortunate truth about 99% of all living spaces: every house and apartment—large or small—likely has something that’s weird, oddly placed, or just plain ugly. These persistent little problems (cords, vents, pipes, outlets) might drive you nuts, but stay they must, especially if you are a renter. The only solution is to get creative…. Here are ten common household eyesores, and DIY projects and ideas to help you disguise them: 1.
Jul 15, 2020
A Stylish Kitchen for Less: 10 Great Looking Kitchen Faucets Under $200
Not only does the faucet you choose for your kitchen affect the overall look of the room, but if you cook a lot (or if you don’t own a dishwasher), the convenience of its design will affect you every day. For our 2016 faucet guide, we’ve taken both form and function into consideration—and to raise the stakes even higher, set a price cap at $200. These options meet the trifecta—they’re pretty, practical, and very well-priced.
Jul 15, 2020
Kitchen Before & After: From Dark & Dated to Light & Glamorous
Ever since Denise and her husband Brad moved into their 1937 California Ranch style home six years ago, the dark and dated kitchen was always a sore spot for her. Not only was it stuck in the ’80s, it also lacked adequate storage.It wasn’t until the birth of their daughter that she realized she would be spending a lot of time in the kitchen as a stay-at-home mom — and she needed a space that was open, warm, and reflected her love of old world glamour.
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Kitchen Makes the Most Out of Inherited Oak Cabinets
Back in 2011, Annie and her husband had a little difference of opinion when it came to the oak cabinets in the kitchen of their new home. She hated them, and he loved them. Since she had carte blanche everywhere else in the house, she wrote into Apartment Therapy asking how they should redecorate and still respect his wishes.
Jul 15, 2020
The Complete Guide to Using and Caring for Copper Pots
Copper pans are loved for being quick to warm and for their extremely even distribution of heat. They are often specifically called for in candy-making and other heat-sensitive recipes, but copper is useful for almost all your cooking, since the increased control and evenness of temperature makes everything easier. Although copper is one of the most expensive materials for pans, for those who love to cook copper pots and pans are worth the investment.
Jul 15, 2020
4 Seemingly Harmless Things That Will Ruin Your Kitchen Sink, According to Pros
Think twice before rinsing these household staples down the drain.
Jul 15, 2020
A Cute 264-Square-Foot Converted Bus Feels Just Like a Real House
What inspired this young couple to downsize and move into a tiny home was the exhausting lifestyle of working to pay rent each month.
Jul 14, 2020
I Tested 4 Zero-Cost Methods for Trapping Fruit Flies in the Kitchen—and Found One Clear Winner
Four DIY fruit fly traps, and one winner! My kitchen is fruit fly-free now.
Jul 14, 2020
This Cult-Favorite $8 Kitchen Cleaner Has Been Working Wonders For Decades
"Newer" doesn't necessarily mean "better."
Jul 13, 2020
Before and After: This 100-Year-Old Converted Church's Kitchen Reno is a Stunner
The redo took advantage of original historical elements, while creating a bright, airy, and livable space.
Jul 11, 2020
7 Timeless Kitchen Upgrades You Won’t Regret in Five Years, According to Pros
If you're upgrading your kitchen, you definitely want to still like it down the line. Here are the 7 picks designers swear by.
Jul 11, 2020
7 Important Cleaning Lessons You Learn from Working at a Restaurant
Your kitchen is practically operating like a restaurant right now, so we surveyed front-of-house staff, servers, bartenders, and chefs for some kitchen-saving cleaning tips.
Jul 9, 2020
3 Low-Key Genius Things Restaurant Kitchens Have that You Might Want in Your Own Kitchen
These affordable upgrades can make your day-to-day way easier.
Jul 7, 2020
There’s an Easy Way to Keep Your Kitchen Sponge Sanitary—And It’s Hiding in Your Junk Drawer
If you’re looking for a budget, DIY solution for your stinky sponges, look no further.
Jun 30, 2020
One Very Resourceful Reason to Keep Some OxiClean in Your Kitchen
I have a favorite kitchen trick that has nothing to do with cooking.
Jun 29, 2020
The Simple $10 Kitchen Tool That Changed My Cooking Game for Good
Perfect for grilling, baking, cooking and everything in between!
Jun 26, 2020
One Wasteful Dishwasher Cycle You Shouldn’t Use, If You Want to Save Money
Skip that cycle and do this instead.
Jun 25, 2020
8 Things Home Experts Say Are Always Worth the Extra Money for Your Kitchen
Ever heard of a pot filler?
Jun 23, 2020
Before and After: A Brown '70s Kitchen Gets a Cozy Farmhouse-Style Redo
New cabinets, backsplash, countertop, and more add tons of vintage-inspired character to create a welcoming cook space.
Jun 22, 2020
5 New Habits to Keep Your Kitchen Mess-Free Since You’re Always at Home Now
This new set of housekeeping habits will help you keep your kitchen pretty close to the way you want it, even when life in general is upside down.
Jun 21, 2020
Before and After: Paint Takes This Kitchen from Paneled Nightmare to a DIY Dream
Yet more proof in the transformative power of paint.
Jun 19, 2020
This Smart, Stylish Storage Tool is What Your Kitchen Pantry is Missing
Borrow this idea from the laundry room, and your back will thank you.
Jun 18, 2020
4 Ways You’re Ruining Your Wine Stash, According to a Sommelier
Here are four common wine-storage mistakes, plus two "do's" that can help.
Jun 18, 2020
The Best Kitchen Trash Cans
They hide your garbage, but that doesn't mean they have to be as unsightly as what's in them.
Jun 18, 2020
Before and After: A Mini $100 Makeover Turns This Dark Kitchen Colorful and Fun
The after's full of great renter-friendly solutions.
Jun 17, 2020
B&A: A Dark, Dingy, & Dated Kitchen Got an Incredibly Cute Update for Only $500
This home's old kitchen was a sore thumb before its budget refresh: the backsplash was mismatched tile, the floors were dingy linoleum, and the entire space was dim.
Jun 15, 2020
We Just Found the Easiest Way to Enjoy Cafe-Style Cold Brew at Home
Bye-bye, fussy equipment and tools!
Jun 15, 2020
12 Mindless Kitchen Habits That Are Costing You Money
While there are opportunities to save money throughout your home, as it turns out, your kitchen is one of the biggest culprits for money-wasting.
Jun 14, 2020
Before and After: A 1920s Home Finally Gets a Kitchen That Fits (and Functions)
This full-blown renovation took two months and cost $10,000.
Jun 11, 2020
The 7 Best Kitchen Decorating Tips, According to Apartment Therapy Commenters
Your ideas were too good not to share!
Jun 11, 2020
Before and After: HGTV’s “Good Bones” Transformed This Dated Kitchen From Cramped to Airy
Wait until you see the herringbone backsplash.
Jun 10, 2020
B&A: An Outdated Kitchen Gets a Remodel, But Keeps the Gorgeous Vintage Vibes
House Call
This 1906 Craftsman house in Los Angeles got a kitchen remodel, but instead of stripping away ALL the vintage charm, they refreshed the space and honored previous eras.
May 29, 2020
Before and After: This Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Redo is Open Concept Done Right
Sometimes you have to knock down a few walls to fully brighten a space.
May 29, 2020
The 5 Biggest Pet Peeves Home Stagers Have About Your Kitchen
It all comes down to clutter.
May 26, 2020
Before and After: A $100 Rental Kitchen Redo with a Million-Dollar Personality
This kitchen goes from plain to punchy with a few low-budget tweaks.
May 25, 2020
This Renovated Montréal Home Has the Most Stunning Modern Pink Kitchen
Honestly the whole home is pretty gorgeous.
May 25, 2020
This Country Home's Kitchen Was Formerly a Veranda, and It's Sunny and Gorgeous
The largest renovation on this Australian home was 10 years ago when they converted the prior veranda to an enormous glassed-in kitchen and added some moody, dark wall colors.
May 22, 2020
Before and After: A DIY IKEA Kitchen Reno Brings in Lots More Light
With six kids, a spacious and functional kitchen was a must for this family.
May 21, 2020
When the Rest of My Home is Chaos, a Clear Kitchen Table Helps Me Feel Calm—Here’s Why
I'm trying to learn to let go of a lot—but there's one small area of our house that I always make sure is perfectly clear.
May 21, 2020
Before and After: Jeremy Renner Transformed His Mom’s Kitchen From ’70s Cramped to Modern and Spacious
Just wait until you see the massive kitchen island.
May 19, 2020
Hilary Duff Is Giving the Internet Major Kitchen Envy with Her Bold Tile
In a May 11 Instagram video, Duff set up shop in front of her black-and-white patterned backsplash that takes up the entire wall behind her gas range.
May 18, 2020
Before and After: A $1000 Kitchen Redo With a DIY Island Surprise
This rental kitchen redo is packed with ideas worth stealing for your own home.
May 17, 2020