Small space kitchen design The kitchen in this charming 1940s Toronto bungalow was clean and white but lacking in the style and efficiency department. Moving walls and plumbing was out of the question, so this makeover involved a quick cabinet switch-out in the existing footprint. Thanks to some detailed advance planning, all of the work was done during the two-month period between when the homeowners got the keys to their new house and their move-in date. I began the design work by identifying problem spots in the before kitchen. The design decisions for the new kitchen all take their cues from the era of the house (paneled cabinet doors and glass knobs echo those in the rest of the interior), other elements in the home's architecture (the slate fireplace surround inspired the use of grey Carrara marble and black quartz) and the homeowners design preference (a fresh take on French bistro).Check out the before and after pictures of this mini kitchen makeover Before problems1 The tall pantry unit was interfering with the traffic flow through the door to the hall.2 The homeowners had been living in apartments with 24-inch-wide stoves for years and were ready to upgrade to standard 30-inch-wide cooking appliances.3 Stove was deeper than counter, awkwardly jutting into the space. 4 Short upper cabinets and a deep bulkhead meant storage space was not being maximized5 Existing pass-through counter was dated laminate and too high for standard-height stools.6 There was no dishwasher7 The valance over window was dated and made the ceiling seem lower.8 Cupboard for microwave wasted valuable upper cabinet storage space.9 Three different types of flooring were used in the entry, kitchen and hall resulting in a choppy look to the whole main floor.10 The unattractive view needed to be camouflaged.Next: Design tips for small kitchens >>Check out the before and after pictures of this mini kitchen makeover Photography by Donna Griffith Small kitchen design ideas Check out the before and after pictures of this mini kitchen makeover Design tips for small kitchens1 Research appliances before committing to your cabinetry configuration. 2 Choose appliances that are as unobtrusive as possible. Go for a cabinet-depth refrigerator (less than 27-inches deep), choose a wall oven and cooktop combo or a slide-in range rather than a free-standing range. You may even decide to go with a convection/microwave combo or a speed oven rather than a standard oven.3 Your appliances needn't all be from the same manufacturer – but if they aren't be prepared that there may be a slight difference in the finish.4 Over-the-range microwave and extractor fan combo appliances are great space savers but make sure they are installed at the correct height and try to have the fan vented to the outdoors if possible.5 If the walls come crumbling down when you pull out old cabinets then don't try a quick patch job. Completely demolish the damaged wall and re-drywall it – take the opportunity of an open wall to add insulation or update wiring or plumbing if need be.6 Donate old appliances that are in good working order to Habitat for Humanity or another worthy charity.7 Just because a kitchen is small doesn't mean it should be short-changed on style or performance. Many appliance companies are introducing smaller-than-standard European-style appliances to Canada due to the strong condo market. Small spaces offer the perfect opportunity to splurge on countertops or backsplash tile, since so little material is required.8 Ekeing out enough space for a bistro table for 2 to dine or even just a breakfast bar is a great idea for everyday convenience and for re-sale value.9 Buy a three-step kitchen stool and hang it inside a nearby closet to get access to high cabinets – don't stand on a kitchen or dining chair.Next: Design tips for open-concept kitchens & budgets >>Photography by Donna Griffith Open-concept kitchen design ideas & budget Open-concept kitchen design tips1 Choose cabinet hardware that works with the metal elements in the rest of the space. 2 Design the kitchen layout so that sightlines are attractive – employ window treatments, glass-front cabinets filled with pretty dinnerware, the range hood or tile treatments to create pleasing views.3 Choose lighting that isn't overly kitchen-y – such as chandeliers, lanterns or attractive pendants that echo the styles of lighting used in the living and dining zones.4 A nicely framed pass-through is a great way to open up a kitchen to other rooms without the hassle and expense of tearing down a wall.5 Vary counter heights so that you can't see kitchen messes at the sink, prep space or cooktop from the dining or living space.6 Use an extractor fan vented to the outside and/or a kitchen candle in a fresh citrus scent to banish cooking odours. You can also try simmering two cups of water, lemon slices, a cinnamon stick and a few cloves in a saucepan for 20 minutes.Budget EstimateRefrigerator: $1,000Dishwasher: $700Wall oven: $1,400Cooktop: $590Microwave/extractor fan: $500Cabinets (including hinges, doors, trim, end panels and toe kick): $1,290Cabinet knobs and pulls: $100 Countertops: $3,000Lighting: $235Faucet: $190Sink: $1,445Backsplash tile: $891Window Treatment labour only (homeowners used fabric they already owned): $200Paint: $200Breakfast bar: $300Demolition, cabinet, appliance, flooring and backsplash installation, labour, construction: $12,000TOTAL: $24,041Where they splurged: professional installation and labour, sink, counter, backsplash, breakfast barWhere they saved: cabinets, appliances, faucet, homeowners did their own painting, fabric for window treatment Check out the before and after pictures of this mini kitchen makeover Photography by Donna Griffith Before and after pictures The kitchen in this charming 1940s Toronto bungalow was clean and white but lacking in the style and efficiency department. Moving walls and plumbing was out of the question, so this makeover involved a quick cabinet switch-out in the existing footprint. Thanks to some detailed advance planning, all of the work was done during the two-month period between when the homeowners got the keys to their new house and their move-in date. I began the design work by identifying problem spots in the before kitchen. Small space kitchen design The kitchen in this charming 1940s Toronto bungalow was clean and white but lacking in the style and efficiency department. Moving walls and plumbing was out of the question, so this makeover involved a quick cabinet switch-out in the existing footprint. Thanks to some detailed advance planning, all of the work was done during the two-month period between when the homeowners got the keys to their new house and their move-in date. I began the design work by identifying problem spots in the before kitchen.