In celebration of this week’s organization focus, this remarkable makeover reminds us that organizing and planning go far beyond baskets and sorted socks. With thoughtful planning, budgeting, perseverance and hard work, a dark, dated room can be transformed into a beautiful, functional space. Morgan and her husband Kevin converted a paneled den into a bright, modern kitchen. The result is striking, and their planning strategies are practical — from daily Craigslist searches across a wide area to rethinking the kitchen’s placement for a better floor plan. Here is Morgan’s account of the project:
We bought our 1930s bungalow almost four years ago. It needed serious love, but we’ve enjoyed the renovation journey, tackling each room one at a time and doing the demo, design, and construction ourselves. We built the new kitchen from what used to be a den or TV room at the back of the house. Here’s a look at the den before we moved in three years ago:
That space is now a kitchen!
Overall, we estimate we saved 50–75% compared with hiring a contractor and buying everything new. We scoured Craigslist every day, often expanding our search radius to find good deals. We picked up a stainless refrigerator, a Viking range (we drove over 300 miles for that one), a range hood, dishwasher and sink at prices 40–80% below retail.
Because our 1930s home has traditional San Diegan Spanish-style architecture, we aimed for a contemporary kitchen that would complement the original character of the house. Above all, we wanted a fresh, modern space. It was incredibly rewarding to complete the work ourselves.
So that’s our new kitchen. We’ll enjoy this space for years to come — it was absolutely worth the effort. Hope you like it too! — Morgan
Thanks to Morgan and Kevin for sharing this inspiring transformation. They didn’t stop at converting a den into a kitchen; they’re also reconfiguring other areas of their home, including converting closets into a bathroom and continually refining their layout. Their process highlights key takeaways for any DIY renovation:
- Plan thoroughly: assess how a new layout will improve daily flow and use of space.
- Be resourceful: searching resale sites and expanding your search radius can yield high-quality items at a fraction of the cost.
- Do the work you can: tackling demolition and many construction tasks yourself reduces labor costs substantially.
- Respect the home’s character: choose contemporary updates that complement the original architectural style.
Now for the fun part—what’s your favorite element of this makeover? Some highlight the warm runner and the tile backsplash, while others love the large glass doors. This project shows how thoughtful planning and persistence can completely transform a space without sacrificing style or budget.