Yellow walls and cherry cabinets felt old-school.

In its original state, the kitchen at H&H editor-in-chief Suzanne Dimma’s house was not very stylish. Tired pale yellow walls and inadequate lighting gave the space a bleak, gloomy feel, while red cherry cabinets were well-made, but old-school.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers photo gallery to see the post-renovation reveal.

Combine wood and painted cabinetry for a warm look.

H&H editor-in-chief Suzanne Dimma and her husband Arriz Hassam originally disagreed on whether to choose natural or painted wood for their new kitchen cabinetry. “I like natural wood in the kitchen,” Arriz says. “It adds warmth and ages well.” Suzanne wanted soft grey painted cabinetry throughout, but ultimately agreed that “on everything it would have been a bit predictable. Somehow the wood has so much more personality.” The space also features a new marble backsplash and countertops that create a chic bistro vibe.

Visit a gallery of Suzanne Dimma’s Renovations for more inspiration, and browse our Kitchen Makeovers gallery for great before and after photos.

Unreliable appliances made dinner prep a chore.

Sheri Graham-Delagran, House & Home‘s director of TV production and online video, knows a thing or two about beautiful kitchens — which made her own space even more depressing. The space had last been renovated in the ’80s, and it showed: the old kitchen island and angled counters impeded flow and felt out-of-date. Even worse, the wall ovens were faulty and unreliable, the cabinets were practically falling apart and the dishwasher leaked.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers photo gallery to see the post-renovation reveal.

Add personality with accents of wood, brass, black and red.

After years of putting up with unreliable appliances and falling apart cabinetry, Sheri Graham-Delagran, House & Home‘s director of TV production and online video, decided it was time to give her kitchen an overhaul. New, high-gloss cabinetry and light grey Caesarstone countertops are the foundations of the room’s clean, crisp palette. The island is a workhorse where the kids can do their homework while mom and dad prep for dinner, and during parties it’s the perfect spot to set up a buffet or serving station. Its warm oak legs give the island a furniture-like feel, and add a warm, old world vibe to the space. Antique-brass hardware plays a similar role, while cherry red Thonet bistro stools add a pop of colour.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers gallery to see the pre-reno kitchen and more post-renovation photos.

The homeowners wanted a stylish, welcoming space.

Pre-reno, the galley kitchen in this Toronto rowhouse wasn’t insulated so it was always chilly, and the floors were uneven. An undersized window and a back door that didn’t let in very much daylight made for a perpetually dark space, while an awkward layout made the room feel unwelcoming.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers photo gallery to see the post-renovation reveal.

Reconfigure cabinetry to save space.

Though the square footage is exactly the same, post-renovation, this galley kitchen feels significantly more spacious. Designer Trish Johnston reconfigured the cabinetry run and cooking line, keeping all the appliances counter-depth for a more streamlined look. Gorgeous, metal-framed doors let in ample light and open outward, another space-saving move.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers gallery to see the pre-reno kitchen and more post-renovation photos.

Mismatched laminate cabinets were uninspiring.

This kitchen was dark and dingy thanks to old cabinetry and painted linoleum floors. It also lacked a functional workspace and didn’t match the young family’s modern style.

Extend subway tiles up to the ceiling for a bistro look.

Glossy white cabinetry provides a crisp backdrop for this totally transformed kitchen. A subway tile backsplash extends all the way to the ceiling, giving the space a bright, bistro feel, while the old painted linoleum floor was swapped out for marble floor tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern. (A Nuheat floor heating system was a luxe addition that makes winter mornings much easier to bear.)

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers gallery to see the pre-reno kitchen and more post-renovation photos.

This kitchen was in major need of a makeover.

After H&H‘s Mark Challen and his partner moved into their Toronto townhouse, they agreed their kitchen would be the last room to renovate. After years passed and renos were made to the rest of the home, the kitchen remain unchanged. “The outdated appliances, creaky almond-toned particleboard cabinets (hung far too low), ghastly brown subway tile and oddly placed sink were so uninspiring that I stopped cooking altogether,” says Mark. “Even worse, I had become unapologetically messy. Both my kitchen and I needed an intervention.”

A grey and white mosaic marble floor takes on the effect of a rug.

H&H’s Mark Challen always dreamed of a kitchen that would look like his favourite bistros and brasseries. Dark-stained cabinets, state-of-the-art appliances and a showstopping marble floor create a high-performance, handsome space with international flair. Details make the difference: the cabinets feature a thin bead profile, the subway tile is bevelled and lighting is layered, with overhead recessed lights, undermounted cabinet lights and range-hood lights (on dimmers — a must!).

Take an Online TV tour of Mark’s stunning kitchen.

See more Bistro & Restaurant-Style Kitchens in our photo gallery.

This space needed brightening up.

When TV producer Michael Prini bought his downtown Toronto condo, he knew the kitchen needed a serious makeover. The wooden cabinetry made the space feel dark and dated, the layout was awkward and there wasn’t enough storage. So Prini went to the one person he knew could help with his condo renovation: design star Sarah Richardson, whose shows, including Sarah’s House, Design Inc. and Room Service, he’d worked on for years.

See an after photo in our Kitchen Makeovers photo gallery.

Splurge on special tiles in a small space.

A custom tile marble backsplash brightens the formerly dark space, and imparts a special, luxe quality. The existing washer and dryer are hidden behind matching high-gloss cabinet doors for a clean look.

The homeowners wanted a fresh colour scheme.

At Pam and Bill MacGillivray’s Limehouse, Ont., farmhouse, dark wood cabinets and dated countertops and flooring left the kitchen looking stale.  The sink and stove were as far as possible from the fridge, and the stove had only two working elements.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers photo gallery to see the post-renovation reveal. Plus, watch a video tour of the finished space.

Add an edge to basic cabinets with angular stainless steel hardware.

In Pam and Bill MacGillivray’s Limehouse, Ont., farmhouse, a wall of classic white subway tile is a fresh alternative to paint and also doubles as the backsplash. Its light grey grout helps camouflage dirt. Post-renovation, the dishwasher was positioned next to the sink to help cleanup go faster. It’s concealed behind panelling and fitted with a handle that matches the cabinets.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers photo gallery to see the pre-renovation kitchen. Plus, watch a video tour of the finished space.

It was time to say goodbye to mismatched light fixtures.

The kitchen needed a new layout, as the refrigerator was far from the rest of the appliances. A long peninsula blocked traffic flow in and out of the kitchen while entertaining.

Lay standard-sized tiles in a herringbone pattern for a bespoke look.

This island was built from butcherblock countertops cut down to size. Pairing the wood with a steel frame gives the piece an industrial farmhouse vibe. Its open storage is perfect for large pots and gives the kitchen a relaxed, unfitted feel. Moving the fridge closer to the stove created the work triangle homeowner Pam MacGillivray wanted. Double ovens accommodate the homeowners’ youngest daughter’s baking projects. An overall neutral colour scheme gives the room a timeless look.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers photo gallery to see the pre-renovation kitchen. Plus, watch a video tour of the finished space.

This space was in need of a makeover.

In House & Home assistant design editor Kai Ethier’s home, it was time to say goodbye to the cheap melamine cabinets.

Keep your eye out for well-made used cupboards.

“I was desperate to renovate our kitchen, but short on cash,” explains H&H assistant design editor Kai Ethier. “One day, while running errands, I spotted a solid maple wood kitchen at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The french door cabinets and inset mouldings had me excited, but it was the $675 price tag that sealed the deal. Though the kitchen was 15 years old, it was so well crafted there wasn’t a scratch on it. I snapped it up and set the reno in motion.”

Too see more, take a video tour of this kitchen, or check out our Budget Decorating Ideas and 10 Kitchens With Colourful Cabinetry photo galleries.

On a tight budget? Substitute butcherblock for marble counters.

House & Home assistant design editor Kai Ethier gave her small, dated kitchen a stunning revamp with the help of colleague Sarah Hartill and designer Cameron MacNeil. Kai found the solid maple wood kitchen at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and bought it, complete with french door cabinets and inset mouldings, for $675. A fresh coat of light blue paint gave it the old world look she was after, and the microwave nook was repurposed as storage for her stand mixer and cookbooks. Subway tiles with a hand-finished quality extends from the countertop to the ceiling, complete with an easy-to-clean pale grey grout that complements the kitchen’s other grey accents. The shelves are made with remnants from the counter.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers gallery to see the pre-reno kitchen and more post-renovation photos.

A cracked window to the right shuddered with every gust of wind.

The laminate floors were well-worn and ready for a facelift.

Paint trim a pale grey for a softer look.

House & Home assistant design editor Kai Ethier and her husband Andre retro-fitted second-hand cabinets to suit the cabinet depths they needed. Grey tile inserts put a modern spin on the classic black and white hex tiles. Kai had to cover the only heat vent in her kitchen with the cabinets, so she added a radiant floor heating system from Nuheat.

Browse our Kitchen Makeovers gallery to see the pre-reno kitchen and more post-renovation photos.

A mix of finishes looked cluttered and dated.

To renovate her Montreal loft, designer Julie Charbonneau removed some upper cupboards, and the old cabinets were refaced in a cohesive high-gloss lacquer white.

Use glossy surfaces to create intriguing reflections.

With the ethos that less is more when designing her own modern kitchen, designer Julie Charbonneau stepped back many times to judiciously examine each item. “I usually put stuff all over, but this space looks much better if it stays empty,” says Charbonneau. Against the clean, white kitchen, the large, dark-wood dining table takes centre stage under a showstopping light fixture.

Take a video tour of this loft, plus see more Modern & Contemporary Kitchens, Julie Charbonneau interiors, or White Rooms.

Design editor Joel Bray’s kitchen was dark, cramped and cut off from the rest of the space.

For the renovation, cabinets were removed to open the room. White paint, marble tile and quartz counters brightened the space.

Use a light, airy approach in a small space.

Stylist Joel Bray updated the existing cabinets with just a coat of white paint and new hardware, opting instead to spend more installing new soft grey quartz counters and doubling the width of the peninsula. Grey veining in the dolomite marble subway tile was accentuated with darker grey grout, giving the kitchen a bistro vibe.

For more design and decorating ideas, browse our Kitchen Trends photo gallery.

Tour the rest of the space in our Online TV segment.

The dining table and chairs were positioned in the traffic area of this pre-reno kitchen.

In this kitchen, an overpowering red accent wall commanded too much attention, and didn’t coordinate with the rest of the space.

Wanting a traditional look that would last, the homeowner opted for more timeless finishes.

Restaurant favourites like stainless steel, Carrara marble and dark-stained wood offer the right mix of looks and practicality, while the slab door profile and stainless-steel bar pulls lend an urban edge. In the new plan, cabinets and appliances run along both walls in one section of the L-shaped space. The result is an efficient prep and cooking galley with double the storage space of the previous design.

See more photos of this kitchen in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

The homeowner wanted space in the kitchen where she could supervise her children on the computer.

Drawers below hold office supplies, while overhead storage conceals a printer and serving pieces. The ottoman tucks out of the way when not in use.

A mix of furnishings side-by-side looks cluttered.

The awkward layout limited storage space in this kitchen.

Standard Carrara marble threshold pieces are an affordable tile alternative.

The home’s original wood floors were given a coat of pale grey paint to improve durability for family living and save on the budget’s bottom line.

Worn out, poor quality cabinets needed to be replaced.

Black and white tiles looked awkward and clashed with the warm wood finishes, red walls and exposed brick.

In a family home, consider building a banquette with storage drawers beneath to contain toys and art supplies.

A small pedestal table and Bertoia-style wire chair are visually light and can be easily moved as needed. One wall of the banquette area features a bank of pantry units with open and closed storage, making the most of vertical space.

Prior to renovations, this space lacked personality.

The track lighting and popcorn ceiling had to go. The fridge looked awkward in its current place.

Mix inexpensive butcherblock with bold black cabinets for a town-and-country feel.

The combination of brass pulls, soft wood and gentle blues create a friendly Euro-farmhouse flavour in H&H executive editor Beth Hitchcock’s renovated kitchen.

Watch Suzanne Dimma tour this kitchen in our Online TV segment.

Switch out basic cabinets and hardware for a more modern look.

The kitchen was one of the major renovations that designer and popular blogger Emma Reddington undertook in overhauling her Victorian home.

Dark floor tiles contrast beautifully with white countertops.

Designer and homeowner Emma Reddington says the kitchen is now a blissful place to cook, and so much more functional with an eat-in island. Though the cabinets are budget-friendly, Emma, a former chef, didn’t scrimp on the stove or the marble backsplash. “I refuse to cook on anything but gas, and this six-burner range is a real pleasure.”

For more design and decorating ideas, browse the Emma Reddington Home Makeover photo gallery, or see a video tour of this house in our Online TV segment.

A mismatched, unadorned space.

Before homeowners Danielle Nicholas and Greg Bryk, of the TV show Building Bryks, renovated their kitchen, the cabinets were outdated and the linoleum floor was worn out.

Use salvaged beams for open shelving.

After structural and water issues demolished their home reno budget, Danielle Nicholas and husband Greg Bryk, from the W Network show Building Bryks, made cost-cutting decisions with their kitchen. Beams salvaged during the renovation became handsome but inexpensive shelves, and the poured concrete counters are virtually indestructible.

Stylist Sasha Seymour knew she could make better use of this space.

A dated solarium with hot tub at the back of the house gave way to the new gourmet kitchen — a much better use of the bright space overlooking the yard.

A pair of potted orange trees sit on the counter for an unexpected touch of greenery.

Homeowner Sasha Seymour’s kitchen is a true showpiece with a fireplace oven and double fridges. Light pours in from an oversized skylight, illuminating the brass hardware. As Sasha prepares dinner, her dog Cleo happily pads around on herringbone wood floors that look as though they belong in a pre-war New York apartment or Parisian pied-à-terre.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Rooms With Warm Metal Accents and Pets & Interiors. Plus, watch a tour of Sasha’s retro-inspired townhouse on Online TV.

This retro kitchen was showing its age.

Michael Penney and his wife Sara saw potential in the tiny kitchen of his new house. The tiles and floor were dated, but there were ceiling-high cupboards that allowed for plenty of storage, and decent counter space for the size of the space. Read more about his kitchen inspiration.

Read all about Michael’s new house — including before shots and DIY projects — in his blog, tour through each floor on Online TV, see the full story in our June 2011 issue, and browse all before and after photos in the online gallery.

Linoleum flooring was traded in for French-style hexagonal floor tiles.

H&H style editor Michael Penney and his wife Sara decided to embrace the kitschy features that made their old kitchen charming. They wanted a bistro/farmhouse feel, so they painted out the cabinetry in a soft blue with a touch of grey, and splurged on new stainless-steel appliances, an American Standard farmhouse faucet, and Carrara marble counters. Read more about their kitchen inspiration.

Read all about Michael’s new house — including before shots and DIY projects — in his blog, tour through each floor on Online TV, see the full story in our June 2011 issue, and browse all before and after photos in the online gallery.

Plastic tiles dated this 1950s kitchen.

Michael Penney and his wife Sara tackled the tiles after a family barbecue one day, scraping them off one-by-one. This wall is where they planned to put the refrigerator, but it would need new white tiles as a backdrop.

A collection of oversized green bottles on top of the fridge adds a style statement.

Michael Penney and his wife Sara chose glossy white subway tiles in the kitchen to keep the attention on open shelving baskets and arrangements. Woven baskets overhead and underneath conceal clutter, and a rolling table is the perfect spot to create a vignette with carafes and plants. Read more about their kitchen inspiration.

Read all about Michael’s new house — including before shots and DIY projects — in his blog, tour through each floor on Online TV, see the full story in our June 2011 issue, and browse all before and after photos in the online gallery.

Unexpected quirks added to the charm of the home.

Michael wife Sara discovered this built-in ironing board when they first walked through the house. It spoke to the age of the home, when laundering was often done in the kitchen. Charming? Yes. Practical? Not so much.

A pot rack over a new stainless-steel stove keeps pans handy.

Michael Penney and his wife Sara drywalled over a built-in ironing cupboard and used white tiles along this wall. Michael hunted through thrift stores like Value Village for months and months, gradually adding to his Julia Child-inspired copper pot collection. Read more about their kitchen inspiration.

Read all about Michael’s new house — including before shots and DIY projects — in his blog, tour through each floor on Online TV, see the full story in our June 2011 issue, and browse all before and after photos in the online gallery.

Mismatched cabinetry and appliances were paired with cluttered open-shelving.

The kitchen in Tarah Wright and Daniel Rainham’s 100-year-old Halifax home was small, dark and downright dreadful. Along with a bad layout and lack of natural light, the cabinets were in poor shape and the finishes falling apart.

The island, with a waterfall-style concrete counter, steals the scene.

Architect Chad Jamieson, with the assistance of designer Omar Gandhi, began their contemporary transformation of this kitchen with crisp white paint and Baltic birch plywood, which was used to trim the windows and countertop. On the concrete island, board-formed sides are rough and unfinished, while the top was polished, providing a mix of textures to contrast with the smooth cabinets.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

This old kitchen had busy floors and poor storage.

After living with this dated kitchen for 11 years, homeowners Christos and Petrea Adamidis knew it was time for an overhaul. “The old kitchen felt closed in, had zero storage space and wasn’t working for our family,” says Christos. Too-short upper cabinets needed extending, narrow countertops called desperately for deepening and all of the finishes desperately required an update.

See the “After” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

A double-galley-style kitchen provides plenty of room for a family of four.

A wall of energy-efficient windows floods this kitchen with natural light but cuts down on temperature shifts in the room. Bamboo was the obvious choice for new cabinetry. The honey tone adds warmth and complements the sleek modern hardware. Finishes and paints with low levels of VOCs were used throughout the kitchen — reducing odours and indoor air pollution.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

H&H paired up with Ikea to overhaul a dull kitchen for a family of cooks.

Though spacious, the 10-year-old kitchen lacked character and was outfitted with bland standard finishes. The lifeless monochromatic palette was washed out, plus the dated ceramic tiles and appliances seemed like afterthoughts.

Senior design editor Cameron MacNeil added function and fashion to this space with a crisp palette.

Cameron chose classic white cabinets to contrast with the dark Hanstone countertop and graphic rug. Handmade water-hued tiles add gorgeous texture and shine. Larger industrial-inspired stainless-steel appliances make cooking easier and elevate the look of the generously sized kitchen. The cabinets around the fridge were built out to give it a more custom look without the expense of a counter-depth unit. Deep drawers for pots on either side of the stove make reaching things much easier.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

This kitchen was well past its prime.

Before this home’s overhaul, the rooms were small and dark. It had been 25 years since the house’s last major renovation, a fact that daunted homeowner, chef and food stylist Claire Stubbs when she toured it for the first time.

Weathered wood meets sleek modern lines.

Homeowner, chef and food stylist Claire Stubbs wanted this kitchen to be the focal point of her new home. Though most of her budget went to structural elements, she saved up for the finishes and appliances she’d always wanted, like two-inch-thick Calacatta d’Oro marble countertops and a Wolf range. Lower cabinets with reclaimed wood fronts conceal fridge and freezer drawers, as well as a dishwasher.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery. Also, take an Online TV tour of Claire’s home.

This cooking space had a problematic layout.

Though the kitchen itself is generously sized, the space wasn’t being used to its full potential, and the old finishes looked tired and lacked contrast. An inconvenient diagonal corner and a bulky peninsula disrupted any sense of flow the space may have had. A wall separating the eating area from the family room also made the kitchen feel closed in. Featureless laminate cabinets and countertops were boring and outdated, and the plain ceramic tile floor and backsplash were mismatched.

See the “After” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

Fresh fixtures and dramatic details make an eat-in kitchen more appetizing.

Senior design editor Cameron MacNeil made a few adjustments to this kitchen’s layout to maximize its function. The angled corner, which once housed the oven, was replaced with a new entrance to the formal dining room, allowing the wall of drawers and cabinets to be further extended. The peninsula was replaced with a gracious working island, encased in sleek statuario marble. White cabinets in a reverse-shaker style put a twist on traditional, while crystal pulls add subtle sparkle. Panelling camouflages the refridgerator and dishwasher to keep the look crisp and clean.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery. Also, watch a tour of this house on H&H Online TV.

A concrete city condo gets a modern-country reno.

Beth Hitchcock’s new condo was a blank slate. With the guidance from Michael Penney, Beth took this bare room as an opportunity to reinvent her style. Drawn to colourful, slouchy, lived-in rooms, Beth and Michael opted for a country-meets-city aesthetic.

See the “After” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

An open kitchen-dining space with bohemian charm.

Apart from swapping the contemporary pendants for industrial-style ones, the only other changes applied to this condo kitchen are pure decorating. H&H style editor Michael Penney added vintage pottery, hits of copper and weathered herb pots to give the new space a well-used feel.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery. Also, watch a video tour of Beth Hitchcock’s former condo hosted by Michael.

Clashing blue cupboards and green walls were the least of this kitchen’s problems.

Old barnboard cabinets, inadequate counterspace and incongruous Spanish-style arched doorways in a cramped space added up to a cluttered, unattractive kitchen.

Custom cabinetry and antique finds restore this kitchen to its 19th-century glory.

The homeowners were able to add square footage to this space by removing false walls and ceilings, uncovering the original stone wall and wooden ceiling in the process. Leaving a space between the tops of the cabinets and the coffered ceiling creates the illusion of extra height, a feeling that is furthered by mounting the island on feet instead of on the floor. The practical wood-look ceramic floor tiles complement the dark wood, and feel authentically French. Antique windows from a neighbouring town enhance the historical feeling.

See the before photo, plus more stunning before-and-after shots in our Bold Renovations gallery.

And for more beautiful French country interiors, see our photo gallery.

Clashing colours and patterns are an eyesore.

An awkward layout and crumbling cabinetry made this kitchen as dysfunctional as it is unfashionable.

Add interest by mixing and matching pieces found on world travels.

A black island provides a furniture-like focal point in this kitchen. Woven stools, kudu horns and a screen made of antique chinoiserie wallpaper also add a global feeling to the space. Pine wood floors look like bare wood when treated to a pickling stain, which helps imbue the space with a sense of airy lightness.

See the before photo plus other stunning before-and-after shots in our Bold Renovations gallery.

A narrow work area and enclosed floor plan was impractical for a busy family of four.

Old cabinets, ugly laminate flooring and bulky appliances made this room feel smaller than it really was.

Sleek, glossy white cabinets add a modern touch.

The kitchen has a mix of materials, including stainless steel, enamelled cabinets, ceramic tile and black marble. The 10-foot marble-topped peninsula on the right was a splurge, but worth it. By knocking down the wall above the peninsula — which divided the kitchen from the dining room — the homeowners were able to create an entertaining space, one of the most popular hubs of the house.

See the “before” photo in our Stylish Family Home Makeover gallery, plus other stunning before-and-after shots in our Bold Renovations gallery.

Poor natural light makes these rooms feel small and depressing.

A choppy layout turned this home into a warren of small, dark rooms.

Add warmth to a contemporary palette with a plethora of natural materials.

Hardware-free walnut cabinetry, soapstone counters and oversized slate floor tiles all have a rich or textural quality that enlivens this space. The island is strictly a workspace, and is full of storage. Radiant-heat flooring keeps the kitchen warm underfoot.

See the before photo, plus other stunning before-and-after shots in our Bold Renovations gallery.

This dark, poky space was hardly a model of function and style.

Interior designer Rosie Daykin says this 1950s bungalow in Vancouver’s west side was a study in neglect.

Teak and Carrara marble contrast against vein-cut, travertine marble floors.

Rosie gave this kitchen-dining area indoor-outdoor flow by focusing the elements, like the kitchen island, toward the windows. An overall pale colour palette keeps the open-concept space fresh and modern.

Painted floors and cabinets needed a contemporary touch.

Trying to make the best of what they had, the young homeowners painted the uneven plywood floors and dark wood cupboards as a quick fix. Once ready to commit to a more permanent solution, they embarked on a three-month renovation with very stylish results.

See the “After” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

Mix budget-savvy Ikea cabinets with sleek open shelves for a modern look.

Homeowners Jane and Jeff Wood were able to splurge on high-end appliances by using Ikea’s Abstrakt and Rubrik systems in lieu of custom cabinetry. Affordable white subway tile and open shelving made the small window blend into the space, eliminating the big expense of enlarging it. A white and steel palette keeps the room bright and fresh, and accessories like a tea towel and stand mixer inject colour and personality.

Get more budget-decorating ideas in our gallery.

A dreary kitchen gets a decorating overhaul.

With his designer eye, Cameron MacNeil could imagine the fresh and contemporary makeover he would give this space. Cameron and his partner injected new life into it with graphic wallpaper, new cabinets and a striking feature wall.

Cameron MacNeil designed his kitchen around a coveted counter-depth Bertazzoni range.

The edgy Marcel Wanders damask wallpaper was a find from a trip to Glasgow. On the adjacent wall, floor-to-ceiling charcoal mosaic tile creates a striking contrast. Affordable Ikea cabinets look stylish and sleek.

See a video tour of Cameron’s kitchen!

Three years after buying their home, the homeowners were fed up with this kitchen.

With little counter space and hardly any storage, this kitchen lacked flow and function. To make matters worse, five layers of old flooring literally elevated the room from the rest of the house.

Savvy storage combines with sophisticated features in this kitchen renovation.

Unnecessary bulkheads were removed to allow for custom-built cabinets that stretch this room’s full nine-foot height. Marble countertops, restaurant-style appliances, tons of storage space and a stainless-steel apron sink elevate the kitchen from serviceable to sophisticated. A chic basketweave tile adds texture and warmth to the backsplash and complements the traditional hexagonal floor tiles perfectly.

See the before photo, plus more stunning before-and-after shots in our Bold Renovations gallery.

At 16-by-16-feet, this kitchen design didn’t make the most of the available space.

Outdated cabinets, peeling faux-wood laminate countertops, zero storage space and a confusing mismash of doors and windows made this busy family kitchen difficult to use.

A growing family gets a smart kitchen design courtesy of Ikea and H&H.

Designer Erin Feasby combined oak-veneer cabinets and glossy white cabinets for a look that is both modern and organic. The original island was moved from the wall and turned into a large 3′ x 8′ island, which accommodates both storage for toys and seating. Glass mosaic tiles add a hit of pattern to the backsplash.

See the before photo, plus more stunning before-and-after shots in our Bold Renovations gallery.

A bad mix of 1950s, ’60s and ’70s decor.

HGTV host Peter Fallico knew this dated kitchen had good proportions and plenty of space available for new cabinetry. To create a “great room,” Peter opened up the kitchen to the dining room and focused on adding loads of storage.

Cameron’s cool grey & blue decor.

Peter Fallico — host of HGTV’s Home To Flip — designed this kitchen to have a contemporary yet liveable look. Here, a bank of white lacquered uppers pair with more traditional profiled wood doors below, resulting in a look that’s fresh and new. A large island houses storage as well as the sink, while vintage-look industrial pendants add sparkle and personality.

For more design tips from Peter Fallico, browse his photo gallery.

Brown wood floors and cabinets offer little contrast or brightness.

This small condo kitchen felt dark and uninviting. The owner, a cooking-enthusiast who loves to entertain, wanted an open-feeling space that would be functional and hard-wearing.

White cabinets, a stainless steel Viking range and marble-topped island combine in this contemporary design.

Designer Cameron MacNeil created a modern, open space perfect for entertaining. Custom steel countertops are a sleek yet durable choice. The backsplash, using 2”x8” subway tiles is a fresh take on the traditional 3”x6”.

Dull cabinets and cheap counters and flooring do little for this kitchen.

This small, plain kitchen lacked character or vibrancy. Older white appliances added to the dated look of the space.

The kitchen was reconfigured to create a functional workspace.

Old, dated cabinets were refreshed with paint and new hardware. A restaurant-style faucet adds sparkle and modern edge to the small but cheerful space. Functional open shelving also keeps the look crisp and contemporary.

This dark nook was tucked at the back of the space.

When TV producer and self-proclaimed foodie Allan Myers returned to Toronto after a seven-year stint in Washington, D.C., he was eager to overhaul this uninviting cooking area. For the makeover, he enlisted senior design editor Cameron MacNeil to create a warm, modern space made for entertaining.

See the “After” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery.

Cabinets in a muted shade of grey-green offer a fresh take on traditional white.

By taking down a wall, H&H senior design editor Cameron MacNeil added 60 square feet to homeowner Allan Myers’ kitchen. A new square island offers a work surface and acts as a gathering spot for guests when entertaining. Polished poured concrete floors were chosen as an attractive and durable option. The six-burner Viking professional range was a must-have for Allan, a decision that Cameron supported. “Good appliances will automatically make your cabinetry look better,” he says.

See the “Before” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers gallery. Also, see a video home tour of Allan Myers’ kitchen reno.

An old kitchen goes green with healthy materials.

Former H&H staffer Trish Snyder’s old MDF and particleboard kitchen was an eco-nightmare, not to mention an eyesore. To keep her house from becoming a noxious lab, she opted for an environmentally-friendly upgrade.

A glass tile backsplash and stainless steel island add polish.

Most cabinets made from MDF, plywood or particleboard contain formaldehyde — a known carcinogen. Instead, the homeowner opted for these handsome cabinets created by a local manufacturer using formaldehyde-free plywood and recycled veneer with low-emission finishes.

Watch a video tour of this kitchen. Plus, get more eco-friendly ideas in our Green Design Photo Gallery.

Too much natural wood made this space seem small and dark.

Stacy Begg’s family cottage near Keswick, Ontario was built from a prefab kit in the 1960s and purchased by her parents in the early 1970s.

For more cottage makeovers, see our photo gallery.

Untouched cedar ceiling beams offer contrast.

More than 60 gallons of white primer and paint later, Stacy Begg and her siblings transformed their dreary Lake Simcoe cottage into a bright and cheerful family retreat. New engineered hardwood oak floors won’t shrink and expand with fluctuations in temperature — a perfect material for cottages. They’re finished in a semi-gloss that reflects light and brightens the room. Sage-green ceramic tiles and a parade of sentimental champagne bottles (dusted off and redisplayed) add hits of subtle colour.

For more cottage makeovers, see our photo gallery.

Although a white-on-white colour palette is classic, it sometimes needs a vibrant update.

The homeowners wanted to add a spash of colour to their ivory kitchen without spending too much money or undertaking any major renovations.

Bright hues enliven a simple kitchen.

Shades of buttery yellow paint were applied to warm up formerly white walls. A white subway tile backsplash is an inexpensive way to update a classic kitchen while a collection of colourful dishes keeps the look youthful and fun.

Dull cabinets and counters make this kitchen design boring.

Limited storage space and a shallow countertop depth compromised this kitchen’s functionality. A builder-basic aesthetic made the room feel drab.

Extend upper cabinets to the ceiling for extra storage space.

The new Quarella countertop includes an overhang for informal meals. Narrow horizontal Carrara marble tile replaces the plain white backsplash and adds a modern yet classic touch. Fresh green accessories punch up the room’s neutral palette.

For more kitchen storage ideas, see our photo gallery.

A lackluster kitchen with poor layout.

An awkward angled wall and unsightly radiators dated the space. Boring light fixtures and tiled floors lacked warmth and personality.

See the “After” photo in our Kitchen Makeovers photo gallery.

A distressed harvest table contrasts the sparkling chandelier and sconces.

A kitchen lighting system that layers an antique chandelier, antique wall sconces, pot lights mounted under the cabinets and a candelabra with taper candles is visually stunning but also allows the flexibility to create any type of mood. Herringbone patterned hardwood floors only add to the European country, luxe look. Framed French doors and leaded glass cabinet doors elevate the kitchen’s high style even more while milk stools used as seating around the harvest table keep it casual and comfortable.

View more French inspired interiors in our gallery.

For more island inspiration, see our Kitchen Tables As Islands photo gallery.

See our photo gallery for more fast decorating fixes.

A ruffled window valance reads as dated, rather than quaint.

“Our kitchen was original to the house, but the dark knotty pine cabinets along with the low-hanging fan and icky linoleum flooring had to go,” says Sherry Petersik, co-author of the popular blog, Young House Love. “And the ancient appliances? They were definitely overdue for an upgrade.”

See the “after” photo, plus the entire home makeover gallery.

Luminous light fixtures and a white and aqua colour scheme set a serene tone in this space.

“We totally gutted our kitchen and then brought in new hardwood flooring, clean-lined cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and granite counters,” says Sherry Petersik, co-author of the popular blog, Young House Love. “We also closed off the doorway on the right that once led to a formal dining room. That single decision earned us at least twice as much cabinet and counter space, along with a much more functional layout.”

See the “before” photo, plus the entire home makeover gallery.