7 Small-Space Makeovers

From galley kitchens to living rooms and bathrooms, these small spaces are begging for a redesign. Our before and afters capture the eye-catching results.

Before: Dark and Dated 1970s Kitchen

Passé cabinet doors and countertops give this galley kitchen a tired, dated look. The homeowners rarely use the double oven and would rather make that space more efficient with additional storage. The flooring is worn and the tile countertops are bland and boring. Designer Kenneth Brown cooks up a plan that involves a new finish for the existing cabinets, an inexpensive flooring solution and interesting use of color on the backsplash.

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Hip Kitchen
This kitchen is brought into the 21st century with a liberal use of color, as seen on the wraparound banquette and glass tile backsplash. Heavily varnished plywood squares used for flooring are an economical choice in a contemporary kitchen. Instead of all-new cabinets, Brown uses two different paint colors to give them a facelift. Concrete countertops complement the lively color palette. More makeover details.