When this Denver couple purchased their 1970s contemporary home, they knew the dated kitchen needed an overhaul. The layout was awkward and closed off from the rest of the main floor. Dark cabinetry and heavy tile created a gloomy vibe. Enter builder Chris Natale of Natalie Build, who helped transform the space into an airy, open hub for cooking and spending time together.

Introduction

Kitchen remodels can be daunting, but with careful planning and expert help, even the most dated and dysfunctional kitchens can be completely transformed. This 1970s Denver kitchen is a perfect example – its closed-off layout and dark finishes felt oppressive and depressing. By opening up the space, swapping in lighter cabinetry and tiles, and integrating the kitchen into the home’s main living area, builder Chris Natale has given this kitchen a fresh, contemporary look and feel. The remodeling process required creativity and skill to work within the home’s existing footprint while totally reimagining the aesthetics and functionality. The beautiful results were well worth the effort. This kitchen of the week shows how strategic renovations can modernize a space and better suit a family’s needs.

Analyzing the Existing Kitchen Layout and Finishes

The original kitchen suffered from an isolated, closed-off floor plan. Walled off from the rest of the home, the space felt small and restrictive despite its generous size. The traffic flow was also problematic, making the kitchen feel congested and crowded when the family was cooking and socializing. Beyond layout issues, the kitchen was styled in a distinctly 1970s aesthetic, with practical but outdated features:

• Dark wood cabinetry and heavy tile countertops contributed to a gloomy, cave-like ambiance.
• The cabinets lacked organizational functionalities like pull-out shelves and lazy susans. Storage was inefficient.
• Dated appliances and lighting added to the feeling of being stuck in the past.

While the kitchen was stuck in a prior era, the homeowners envisioned a lighter, more open and inviting space in tune with contemporary living. Chris Natale was tasked with taking this compartmentalized kitchen into the 21st century.

Restructuring the Floorplan for an Open, Modern Layout

Chris’s first priority was improving flow and opening up the kitchen to the living areas. Changes included:

• Knocking down walls to integrate the kitchen with the dining and living rooms.
• Adding a large central island. This became the hub of the new kitchen layout.
• Widening doorways and removing visual barriers. For example, a new wide doorway replaced a small opening to the dining room.
• Adjusting cabinet configurations to reduce bottlenecks and congestion points. Tall pantry units were moved away from high traffic zones.

Integrating the kitchen into the whole living space improved traffic flow and made the kitchen the natural focal point of the home. The open layout facilitated entertaining and family time. Removing walls opened sightlines and made the kitchen feel more expansive.

Choosing Materials to Lighten and Brighten

With the layout reworked, Chris turned his attention to the materials and finishes. The goal was to design a bright, inviting space using:

• White cabinetry to reflect light and feel fresh and contemporary. Glass cabinet doors also contribute to the light ambiance.
• Quartz countertops for an updated but durable surface. The white quartz complements the cabinetry.
• Large format stone-look porcelain tile flooring. The light gray tiles and thin grout lines enhance brightness.
• Oversized windows and glass doors to bring in natural light and connect the indoor kitchen to the outdoor patio area.

In addition to materiality, Chris selected high-end appliances in sleek stainless steel and a statement vent hood to add visual interest. New modern light fixtures and undercabinet lighting keep the kitchen bright around the clock. The lighting choices work with the lighter finishes to make the space feel expansive, unlike the former dark and confined kitchen.

Takeaways from this Impactful Kitchen Remodel

This kitchen remodel shows how reconfiguring layout, opening sightlines, and swapping in lighter finishes can utterly transform an outdated, closed-off kitchen. Key takeaways include:

• Evaluate how you use the kitchen. Remove walls to promote flow between kitchen, dining, and living areas.
• Maximize natural light. Oversized windows and glass doors add brightness.
• Select finishes in light colors like white cabintery and quartz. Use large format tile to avoid dark grout lines.
• Add visual interest with statement features like a gorgeous vent hood.
• Incorporate smart organizational features like pull-out cabinets.

With careful renovation and design expertise, the most lackluster kitchen can become the heart of a contemporary, functional home. This kitchen of the week went from isolated and oppressive to open and inviting thanks to a thoughtful remodel. The results reveal the tremendous impact the right layout and finishes can make.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Remodels

How much does an average kitchen remodel cost?

The national average for a major kitchen remodel is around $35,000, but costs can range dramatically based on factors like layout changes, material selections, appliance upgrades, and more. Expect to pay more for extensive structural changes.

What’s the best way to finance a kitchen remodel?

Options for financing a kitchen remodel include cash, home equity loans or lines of credit, personal loans, and credit cards. Shop around to find the best interest rates and terms. Many homeowners choose HELOCs to access funds while also keeping costs low.

Should I change my kitchen layout?

If your current layout causes bottlenecks, inefficient traffic patterns, or lacks connectivity to living areas, then altering the layout could be a smart move. An expert designer can help rework your layout to improve flow and sightlines.

Which materials stand up best to heavy use?

For surfaces that endure heavy use and traffic, durable options include quartz or granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and porcelain or natural stone tile floors. Focus on durability and easy maintenance.

Should I invest in high-end appliances?

Top appliances offer premium performance and durability. If you love to cook and entertain, pro-grade appliances are worthwhile investments that typically hold their value well. Shop sales and negotiate prices for the best deals.

Conclusion

This clever kitchen redesign proves the power of layout, finishes, and lighting in transforming outdated spaces. The homeowners collaborated with an experienced builder to create a kitchen that perfectly suits their needs and lifestyle. While renovations require effort, the payoff of enhanced functionality and aesthetics delivers enduring value and enjoyment. This kitchen makeover offers inspirational ideas for anyone undertaking their own remodeling journey.

Kitchen of the Week: Clever Redesign for a Cabinetmaker

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, so when a dated or dysfunctional kitchen brings more frustration than joy, a renovation may be in order. That was the challenge facing one Denver family, who purchased a 1970s contemporary residence but found the closed-off kitchen to be oppressive and outdated. By opening up the space, improving traffic flow, and selecting lighter finishes, builder Chris Natale helped transform this kitchen into an airy, welcoming hub for the household. This kitchen of the week reveals how impactful layout changes and material choices can utterly revitalize a kitchen to better suit modern lifestyles.

Assessing the Original Kitchen Design

Built in the 1970s, the original kitchen featured many hallmarks of that era. Yet for the new homeowners, these elements felt dated and impractical:

• The kitchen was walled off from adjacent living spaces, which limited natural light and made the room feel small and isolated.
• Dark wood cabinets along with heavy tile countertops contributed to a gloomy, claustrophobic ambiance.
• Storage space was inefficient and disorganized, with a lack of pull-out shelves or lazy susans in the cabinets.
• Appliances, fixtures, and hardware appeared stuck in the past.

While retaining the existing footprint, the homeowners desired a brighter, more open kitchen tailored for contemporary living. This required reimagining the layout and finishes while enhancing functionality.

Opening Up the Kitchen Floorplan

The top priority was improving flow bybetter connecting the kitchen to living and dining areas. Key changes included:

Knocking Down Walls

Eliminating partitions opened sightlines and made space feel more expansive. The kitchen became integrated with the rest of the home.

Adding a Central Island

The large island became the hub of the new open floorplan. It provides a gathering place and extra workspace.

Widening Doorways

Wider openings replaced small doors to encourage movement between rooms. For example, new French doors connect the kitchen to the dining area.

Adjusting Cabinet Footprint

Editing the cabinet layout reduced bottlenecks and congestion points. Tall pantry units were shifted away from high traffic zones.

Choosing Light, Bright Finishes

In place of dated, heavy finishes, the redesign focused on light colors and materials:

• White cabinetry reflects light and feels fresh, while glass-front upper cabinets maintain an open ambiance.
• Quartz countertops provide an updated yet durable surface that complements the lighter cabinets.
• Porcelain floor tile was selected for its durability, larger tile size, and barely-there grout lines that contribute to the light palette.
• Oversized windows connect the indoor kitchen to the outdoor patio area and flood the space with natural light.

In addition to the lighter finishes, Chris integrated high-end stainless steel appliances and a statement-making vent hood for visual punch.though

Key Takeaways from this Kitchen Remodel

This kitchen makeover shows how opening up a closed floorplan along with strategic finish selections can utterly transform an outdated kitchen into a contemporary gathering space. Consider these tips for your own kitchen refresh:

Focus on Flow

Evaluate how your family uses the kitchen. Remove walls to connect it better with living areas based on traffic patterns.

Embrace Light Finishes

Light cabinetry, counters, and flooring reflect light and feel fresh. Glass cabinetry maintains an airy ambiance.

Add Statement Features

A stunning vent hood or high-end appliances provide visual interest.

Maximize Natural Light

Incorporate windows, glass doors, and skylights to brighten up your kitchen.

With careful planning and design expertise like builder Chris Natale provided, even the most outdated, closed-off kitchen can become an inviting heart of your home through renovations. By opening up the space and selecting lighter finishes, this clever kitchen remodel serves as an inspiring example for anyone undertaking their own kitchen refresh.