For years, the owner of this cozy bungalow performed a familiar dance in her kitchen: the sideways shuffle. With only a sliver of space between the range and the cabinets near the sink, meal prep often felt less like cooking and more like navigating an obstacle course. What she wanted was simple—more counter space, a more functional layout, and maybe the ability to walk through her kitchen without doing the cha-cha.
A full reconfiguration was on the table, but in the end, one small architectural change made all the difference: lowering the side window.
A Window of Opportunity
By reducing the height of the window on the side wall, the design team unlocked a cascade of possibilities. The sink moved to its natural home—beneath the window—freeing up the back wall for the range. The refrigerator slid gracefully down from its original spot, and suddenly the kitchen flowed.
Storage also got a major upgrade with the addition of a tall pantry. Outfitted with four roll-out shelves, it now holds dry goods and cooking supplies. The deep upper pantry and the generous refrigerator cabinet provide room for those small appliances that once lived in the basement—saving countless trips down the stairs.
Goodbye, Double Dining
This small bungalow had a small kitchen and a small dining room, each with its own table. The problem? Only one table was ever used. The solution? Eliminate the kitchen table, reclaiming valuable real estate for more cabinetry and countertop space.
Between the kitchen and dining area, the old upper cabinets once acted like a wall, cutting off sightlines. Removing that visual barrier opened the two rooms, making them feel larger and lighter. The new peninsula cabinetry now works overtime: part buffet, part serving station, part landing zone for keys and groceries.
Style Meets Function
The transformation wasn’t just about layout. The finishes turned the space from dated to delightful. Gone is the wallpaper and plate rail that added to the visual clutter. In their place, light gray walls paired with crisp white cabinets and baseboards give the kitchen a timeless, fresh look.
The flooring was updated to luxury vinyl tile (LVT), unifying the kitchen and dining areas while erasing the last traces of 1990s style. A marble mosaic backsplash with matching gray grout adds a subtle texture and ties the palette together.
At the hallway transition, base angled end cabinets now soften the entry and create an elegant, architectural detail—turning what was once a tight, awkward passage into a graceful opening.
Finally, the ceiling—always a challenge in older homes—was tamed with stacked crown molding, cleverly concealing its uneven lines.
The Finished Space
The result is a kitchen that finally works as hard as its owner. She has counter space where she needs it, storage that keeps everything within reach, and a layout that lets her cook without choreography. The space feels bigger, brighter, and far more functional—proving once again that sometimes the smallest changes (like a shorter window) can make the biggest difference.
