As we previously mentioned, we recently took a whirlwind trip to New York City, the highlight being a visit with our new nephew. While we were there, we also had the chance to see Katie and Martin’s newly renovated uptown co-op kitchen in person after months of careful planning and a smart space rethink.
Katie and Martin had been working with a very small, inefficient kitchen for years. The original layout was essentially a single short wall with a tiny, outdated stove and a fridge that had seen better days. Storage was minimal—two lower cabinets, one drawer and a handful of upper cabinets—so they decided to reconfigure the space and make a big impact without expanding the footprint.
Manhattan kitchens rarely include a dishwasher, but Katie and Martin found an elegant solution: by using the empty wall across from the original cooking area, they added an L-shaped run of cabinets that nearly tripled their storage and created a practical work triangle. The new layout also allowed relocation of the bedroom door, opening up room for functional cabinetry where there had been blank wall space before.
Before demo, the space was gutted to make way for the new plan:
Working with a kitchen planning service helped them visualize the changes and execute them efficiently. The result is a bright, much more usable kitchen that makes the most of a modest Manhattan space.
The renovation includes taller upper cabinets for added storage and a smarter appliance layout. Moving the refrigerator across the room freed up space to tuck in a compact dishwasher—an invaluable upgrade in New York City. Stainless steel appliances and granite countertops lend a modern, durable feel, while updated hardware and a gas cooktop keep the kitchen functional and stylish.
One of the design choices we particularly like is the inclusion of glass-fronted upper cabinets on each side of the room. A few glass doors help break up expanses of solid cabinetry, reflect light, and create a sense of openness—almost like adding windows where there are none. In our experience, well-placed glass-front cabinets can make a kitchen feel brighter and more welcoming.
The end result is a metropolitan kitchen that gained significant storage, improved workflow, and a fresh contemporary look—all without changing the apartment’s footprint. It’s a practical example of how thoughtful layout changes and targeted upgrades can transform a tiny kitchen into a space that feels both roomy and refined.
If you have a compact kitchen and are considering a remodel, think about rearranging appliances to create a functional triangle, adding taller cabinets for vertical storage, and using a few glass-front doors to open up the visual field. And if you live in the city, a small dishwasher can be a game changer. Have you tackled a similar project or are you planning one? We’d love to hear about your ideas and experiences.