A 1990s kitchen, brightened and simplified

The brief

The layout of this suburban kitchen worked well. The finishes did not. Dark oak doors, a fluorescent light box and worn vinyl made the room feel small.

What we did

1. We kept the U-shaped layout to protect the budget and avoid moving plumbing.
2. The light box came out. Eight flush pot lights and under-cabinet lighting now light every counter.
3. New shaker cabinets, a quartz counter and a handmade-look tile backsplash went in. Engineered oak now runs from the kitchen into the family room.

The result

The room looks much larger, and no walls moved. The owners were cooking in it again after eight weeks.

Scope of work

• New cabinets on the same layout
• Quartz counters and tile backsplash
• Pot lights and under-cabinet lighting
• Engineered oak floors
• New sink, faucet and dishwasher