Do you have a small kitchen that needs a serious glow-up? Maybe you’re looking for simple, approachable design ideas that don’t require knocking down walls or blowing your budget. Same. This 56-square-foot small kitchen remodel has been waiting patiently for its moment, and I’m finally ready to bring it to life with fresh paint, modern touches, and smart design that works hard without feeling cramped.
We’re kicking off the One Room Challenge, an eight-week event where designers and DIYers take on a major home project and share weekly updates along the way. For us, that means finally tackling our downstairs kitchen, a project that’s been in limbo for way too long.
The backstory
Five years ago, I discovered a leak in this space that led to a full gut job. The drywall was replaced, the floors were redone… and then life happened. With bigger priorities (and a house full of kids to manage), the project stalled. But with our sights set on a major main kitchen reno in the near future, having a second fully functional kitchen is going to be a game-changer.
Week 1 progress: Clearing the slate
The good news? No demo required! The space is a blank canvas ready for install. But first, it needs some TLC — starting with clearing out old furniture and replacing the ancient fridge. The real excitement? Our new kitchen (mostly from IKEA — thank you, kitchen event sale!) arrives this week.
The vision: Bright, modern, and functional
Since the space is just 56-square-feet, the goal is to keep it feeling light and bright. My small kitchen remodel moodboard (see below!) reflects the vibe:
✔ Bright whites to open up the space
✔ Gold accents for warmth and elegance
✔ Butcher block counter tops for a natural, timeless feel
✔ Open shelving to add character and keep things airy
✔ Pot lights and a statement pendant light to create the perfect ambiance
✔ Closing the ceiling to make the space feel polished and cohesive
What’s next?
Before we get to painting, we need to close up the ceiling and install pot lights to brighten up the space. Once that’s done, it’ll be time to finalize a paint colour before the cabinets start going in!
I’ll be back next week with for Week 2 of the One Room Challenge — until then, I want to know: What’s your go-to paint colour for a fresh, bright kitchen?
Drop your faves in the comments!
For more behind the scenes content on our One Room Challenge adventure, make sure to follow along on Instagram!
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