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Kitchen of the Week: Better Storage Boosts a Compact Space

Careful planning maxes out every inch of this small space for optimal organization

Jennifer Blaise Kramer October 21, 2016

Houzz Contributor. Lifestyle Writer + Editor. www.jenniferblaisekramer.com

Houzz Contributor. Lifestyle Writer + Editor. More

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To rethink a small but hardworking kitchen in Washington, D.C., designer Melissa Cooley carefully measured every nook for places where she could incorporate space-saving solutions. The results of her efforts paid off in a still-small kitchen that has a creative mix of open and closed cabinetry with enough storage to rival a kitchen twice its size.

Before Photo

“After” photos by Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography

Kitchen of the Week
Location: Washington, D.C.
Size: 143 square feet (13.2 square meters)
Designer: Melissa Cooley of Case Design/Remodeling

BEFORE: Pale pine cabinetry felt dated to the homeowners, and didn’t match other tones throughout the house.

Case Architects & Remodelers

AFTER: Cooley used about 75 percent of the existing layout but moved a few appliances around. The window and light fixtures stayed where they were, and Cooley gave the room a completely new, contemporary look. She upgraded the range and hood to create more of a statement and focal point on the rear wall.

Cooley measured the homeowners’ pots, pans, cookie trays, wine bottles, cereal boxes, mops and brooms to create detailed storage. She chose cherry stained cabinetry that complemented other warm, dark tones elsewhere in the home. Porcelain tile with a stone look replaced the previous wood floor to break up the tiring wood-on-wood look.

Range: Bertazzoni; Neo Stone floor tile: Architectural Ceramics

Before Photo

BEFORE: The couple previously used a metal rack to store cookbooks, oils and wine bottles, a system that tended to put clutter on display.

Case Architects & Remodelers

AFTER: Closed cabinets surround the fridge, to the left of which is a mix of open shelves, drawers and a wine rack.

Refrigerator: Jenn-Air

Case Architects & Remodelers

Open cabinets to the right of the range store cookbooks within reach.

Case Architects & Remodelers

“The 1900s house lends itself to a very tasteful, traditional style,” Cooley says. Warm bronze hues in a crackled tile backsplash above the range complement the cherrywood tones.

Tile: Mosaic Tile Co.

Case Architects & Remodelers

An integrated hutch-like piece near the kitchen has a grand, hardworking, elegant look you’d see in larger spaces. This nook, with opaque glass cabinets and a small bar, lets the owners display featured wines, charge their phones and conceal mountains of china for a less cluttered look.

Project developer: Richard Rocco
Craftsmen: Jose Marano and Oscar Menjivar

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Comments (56)

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ennazus2

it's next to the fridge, aliceadele.

Like February 4, 2017 at 3:02PM

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Wayne M

While I like the after styling much better, I don't think it's rude to question the value on this renovation.

Personally, I feel like the fridge makes the space look cramped. Overall, it seems the changes were mostly cosmetic and could have been achieved without a full reno. But it's a small space so it was probably faster, if not cheaper to use new cabinets.

Like February 8, 2017 at 7:04PM

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tinni_guha

I was just wondering how the corner of the lower cabinets, the portions adjacent to the stove, have been utilised. Are those pull-outs of some sort?

Like February 17, 2017 at 8:17AM