Our Favorite Fixer Upper Kitchen Makeovers
No episode of Fixer Upper is complete without an epic kitchen renovation. Ready to transform your space like Chip and Jo? Grab ideas from the duo's best designs.
By:
Jessica Yonker
Show:
Fixer Upper
Kitchen Design, Fixer Upper Style
From cramped layouts to outdated fixtures, a crumbling kitchen is no match for Chip and Joanna Gaines.
The Suburban Bungalow
Newlyweds and coffeeshop owners Blake and Kimberly were delighted to find a home with a short commute to work. The exisiting kitchen, however, needed a little more pep in its step.
The Makeover
Chip and Joanna cut a wide archway to open up the kitchen and dining room, letting light flow throughout the space. They also created industrial-style open shelves made from plumbing pipes and reclaimed wood.
The Kitchen Island
The duo also gave the couple a completely custom kitchen island also fashioned from reclaimed wood and plumbing pipes to fit the rustic industrial-style theme of the rest of the kitchen. The best part? The island also has casters, making it mobile.
The Details
To keep the space bright, Chip and Joanna chose white subway tile for the backsplash, white cabinetry and an undermount sink, plus quartztite counterops that practically sparkle. See more from this episode.
The Shingle Shack
We love an all-white kitchen, but this family of four's space lacked personality, leaving it feeling cold.
The Makeover
Now that's more like it — new appliances, industrial pendants and updated cabinets give a distinctive look to this space. A brand-new island and bartop, plus a stunning marble tile backsplash, add a hint of color.
The Layout
Chip and Joanna removed a row of cabinets to open up the kitchen to the den. They also added a bar to make hosting family gatherings easy. See more from this episode.
The Unstately Manor
Homeowners Norris and Denitia Blount may have had very different styles in mind for their fixer upper, but they both did agreed on one thing: This kitchen had to go.
The Makeover
A fresh coat of paint throughout the space, white subway tile backsplash and updated fixtures brighten up the formerly dreary kitchen.
The New Bar
Chip and Jo made clever use of otherwise wasted space by extending the kitchen's new bar seating into the living room. We're big fans of the floating shelves, too. See more from this episode.
The Drab Ranch House
Jonathan and Amy Gulley were thrilled to see their newly updated Woodway, Texas, home. The old kitchen was cramped and dated, leaving barely enough room to cook.
The Makeover
Walls were removed to open up the kitchen, effectively tripling its size. New recessed lighting and pendants were added as well as new cabinets and wood flooring.
The Details
Other new features in the kitchen include white cabinets extending to the ceiling, concrete countertops, subway tile and an antique copper vent hood.
The Details
Modern accents, like the cement countertops and subway tile backsplash with a dark grout, contrast beautifully with the space's vintage look. See more from this episode.
The '80s Rancher
With a second baby on the way, this couple needed a kitchen to match their growing family.
The Makeover
Widening the entryway and taking the cabinets up to the ceiling worked wonders for this kitchen, making it feel much larger.
The Details
The black subway tile backsplash and wood-covered vent hood add unique charm to the family's new kitchen.
The New Breakfast Bar
The kitchen's new pass-through gives the impression the kitchen, living room and foyer are one contiguous space while also making room for a breakfast bar. The wooden barstools were custom made by craftsman Clint Harp who specializes in using vintage and reclaimed woods for his unique furniture creations.
The Sink
The new island features variegated granite countertops with a large farm sink — a welcome luxury for the expecting family. See more from this episode.
The Riverside Home
Though Allen and Gail Holt's eight children have mostly fled the nest, these two still wanted a home that could accomdate the whole family.
The Makeover
Outdated wood cabinets and laminate countertops were removed to make way for this more open, practical kitchen design.
The Details
A wood-wrapped vent hood tops off a new high-end gas range and stone tile backsplash.
The Built-In Storage
The kitchen island features built-in, adjustable shelves to give the space a little extra storage.
The Magazine Rack
One of the lower cabinets also comes with a built-in rack for cookbooks and magazines. See more from this episode.
The 1940s Vintage Home
A laundry room in the kitchen? Efficient? Perhaps. Practical? Definitely not.
The Makeover
Chip and Joanna got rid of the washer/dryer combo to make way for more counterspace and new appliances. Light gray walls and a subway tile backsplash replace what was once peeling floral wallpaper and pink walls.
The Dining Space
The new layout opens the kitchen to the dining area, allowing natural light to spill into the entire room via windows and newly-installed French doors.
But What About the Laundry?
Don't worry — Chip and Joanna gave the homeowners a brand new laundry room outside the kitchen. See more from this episode.
The Overgrown Ranch
Tired of city life, Paul and Deanne king wanted to turn this old ranch home into a country getaway.
The Makeover
Joanna and Chip completely transformed the dated, dark space. The gorgeous new kitchen features brick walls througout, black granite countertops, industrial pendants and a custom-built island.
The Hidden Charm
Furniture artisan Clint Harp fashioned the island's surface out of shiplap salvaged from one of the home's original walls. See more from this episode.
The New Beginning
After a difficult divorce, Karla settled on a fixer upper right next door to her best friend. With dark burgundy walls, dated cabinetry and a cramped layout, the kitchen was anything but ideal for this single mom and her young son, Preston.
The Makeover
How's that for a fresh start? Chip and Jo took down walls, added brand new cabinetry and gave everything a coat of white paint to brighten up the space. The new island creates the perfect spot for Preston to hang out while Mom cooks.
The Details
A Moroccan tile backsplash, Carrara marble countertops and a farmhouse sink add charming character to the white space. See more from this episode.
The Hunt for French Country
Jeff and Michelle Sanders made the decision to leave the home they raised their children in to be closer to friends and family. Chip and Jo convinced the couple they could infuse French country-style into the Texas home.
The Makeover
Chip and Joanna reconfigured the kitchen's layout, removing a formal dining room in the process, to take advantage of a large picture window and create space for a long kitchen island. The old tile floors were replaced with wood and the cabinetry was also updated. The new light fixtures also give the space the French flair the couple were looking for. See more from this episode.
The Messy Mid-Century Modern
Jill and Josh Barrett were on the search for a unique home, and found it in this 1959 modern home. With its box-like enclosure and awkward placement, the kitchen was a visual intrusion within the larger living space.
The Makeover
Knocking down walls made room to give the kitchen the sleek, open layout it deserved. The new flow of natural light throughout the space allowed Joanna to make a bold choice of black cabinetry with brass hardware. A marble backsplash, countertops and and a waterfall edge island keep things nice and bright.
The Kitchen Island
The island also features bench seating topped with plush white rugs to soften up all the hard lines in this modern kitchen.
The Coffee Nook
Another perk to opening up the kitchen? Chip and Joanna were able to create this stunning coffee nook with a view. New windows and glass doors were added to this corner space adjacent to the kitchen. The floating bar top with bar stool seating is the perfect spot for morning coffee and savoring the view. See more from this episode.
The Faceless Bunker
Teresa and Steve Fuchs spent years living on an island in the Pacific, and wanted a home that matched the beach vibe they were used to. The original kitchen had a tight layout that didn't fit the rest of the home's open design.
The Makeover
Joanna recommending taking the kitchen to the next level, literally: The kitchen was moved to the upper floor, giving it an open, central location in the home.
The Design
Wood-wrapped support beams provide a welcome contrast with the kitchen's white cabinets and light granite countertops
The Backsplash
Mosaic tile in shades of turquoise and green fit the bill for the coastal theme the couple was looking for.
The Butler's Pantry
Back downstairs, the couple was also given a sleek addition to their space—a former mudroom was converted into this butler's pantry with barn doors painted in a beachy blue. See more from this episode.
The Mid-Century Ranch
Justin and Isabella Reed also wanted to go the French country route. They saw the potential in this Waco, Texas, ranch home and had room in their budget to give the large but dated kitchen an overhaul.
The Makeover
The duo brightened up the kitchen with new white and gray custom cabinetry, twin chandeliers, white stone countertops and a subway tile backsplash. They also added a butler's pantry that hides behind an antique wooden door. See more from this episode.
