Learn Our Approach This Ranch Home Kitchen Remodeling Project

View the Before and After Pictures of A Ranch Home Kitchen Remodeling Project

Our ranch home kitchen remodeling transformed this typical 1990s kitchen into a cheery, open coastal style.

Our clients Li and Vikan are empty nesters living in Brooklyn, WI. They came to us seeking a kitchen remodel for their 1990s ranch-style home. Their existing kitchen was a reflection of the 90s style. It was dark and lacked proper task lighting.

The couple had clearly defined goals for the ranch home kitchen remodel. They wanted their new kitchen to have ample lighting, a designated prep space, a smaller range, and proper range hood ventilation. Ultimately, they sought a kitchen that was not only functional and beautiful but also a cohesive design to tie in the adjacent dining and living rooms.

Discover how our approach transformed their dream kitchen into a perfect, open, functional, and aesthetically beautiful space.

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Before Kitchen Remodel

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After Kitchen Remodel

Opening the Existing Space

The existing kitchen had a small wall separating it from the laundry room entry, which made the space feel small. There was a skewed kitchen island in the center of the space and an awkward multi-level countertop in the opening to the living room. The existing cabinetry was solid oak and in good condition.

In our original design, we considered using new custom cabinetry throughout the space. However, the existing cabinetry was in such good condition that we decided to incorporate some of the existing pieces into our design.

Combining Old and New in Our Ranch Home Kitchen Remodeling

During the design process, we decided to reuse the existing base cabinets and one tall cabinet. This helped prevent excess waste and ensured we kept the project on budget. As a bonus, the natural wood brought a warm feel to our design. We incorporated the existing oak base cabinets into our design. We relocated the island cabinets to the perimeter to replace the original range. We also kept one original tall cabinet in our design.

One of the couple's original goals was to maintain the prep space that the existing island provided. They wanted us to incorporate a mobile island into the design. Our idea was to create an open island with a butcher block countertop. This allows our clients to use the island in place or pick it up and move it if needed.

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Before Kitchen Remodel

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After Kitchen Remodel

Our Amish cabinetmaker built the custom upper cabinets. We painted them a rich pale blue to add a coastal element and a beautiful pop of color. Next, we replaced the old laminate perimeter countertops with Linnstone Quartz countertops in Golden Punaluu color. This brightened the space and added a level of functionality. The golden veining in the quartz perfectly complements the warm oak base cabinets.

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On the opposite side of the room, we eliminated the awkward double-height countertop and created a new counter-height seating area. This design element ties the living room space into the kitchen, providing seating for intimate dinners and entertaining family and friends. It also makes the space feel considerably larger and more cohesive.

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On the opposite wall, we created a food center that features a pantry with pull-out trays, a fingerprint-resistant, counter-depth French-door refrigerator, and a drop zone complete with open shelving to display favorite pieces. Behind the GE 30-inch Smart slide-in fingerprint-resistant front-control induction and convection range, we installed a new light-colored hexagonal backsplash from 21st Century Tile. This ties in perfectly with the gold veining on the countertop and the warmth of the oak base cabinets.

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Before Kitchen Remodel

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After Kitchen Remodel

Creating a More Functional Lighting Plan

One of our client's key goals was to brighten the entire kitchen and incorporate a more functional lighting plan. First, we installed can lighting in the ceiling. Next, we hung decorative lighting throughout the space, including 3 mini-pendants over the peninsula dining area and two large Innovations Lighting Edison Collection pendant lights over the island. Our lighting plan offers ample task lighting, ambiance, and eye-catching visual detail. To complete our lighting design, we placed LED strip lighting under each of the upper cabinets.

Meeting All of Our Clients’ Goals

From the original dark, awkward kitchen, we transformed the space into a bright, open-feeling coastal design. With two-toned cabinetry and bright quartz countertops, the space is more functional, feels larger, and captures the coastal feel our clients were seeking. Our design ties the entire living space together, creating a more cohesive space.

Our ranch home kitchen remodeling meets all our clients’ goals, providing them with a warm, functional space perfect for entertaining family and friends. Liz and Vikan can now enjoy their bright new coastal kitchen with its beautiful, coastal aesthetic!

Are you considering a kitchen remodel or any other home improvement projects? Whether a kitchen remodel, a bathroom update, or any other project, let us help you create a new look and design for your home! If you live in the Greater Madison area and need a contractor for your kitchen remodeling project, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Are you ready to learn more? We are always happy to answer your questions.