We believe a house should evolve with a family’s changing needs, and this kitchen with its adjacent sitting area feels about as finished as anything in our home has been. Over the last two years this space has stayed remarkably steady. We swapped in my dream chandelier that resembles bubbles at a beach sunset and finally settled on seating that fits the nook perfectly. Aside from a few small accessory swaps (yes, including a new toaster we got for Christmas), it’s been blissfully consistent. (We photographed this room well before that toaster arrived—sometimes these posts take us a long time to write.)
Because our older kitchen posts don’t reflect these updates, this refreshed overview felt overdue. We hope sharing what works for our compact layout might help others with similar spaces—this room is highly efficient for our family. We use it constantly: mornings and evenings start and end here, kids hang out before school, we cook and eat meals, store cookware and serving pieces, and the adults can entertain here while the kids head upstairs to craft, play, or watch movies.
Video Tour
A video walk-through really helps you visualize flow and scale better than photos alone. Below is a video tour of our small kitchen and the connected sitting area. We finally landed on two loveseats for seating after experimenting with different layouts—those decisions were tricky because of that bedroom doorway and the front door cutting through the middle of the sitting area.
Note: You can also watch this video on YouTube.
A Truly Multi-Function Space
It’s cliché but true: the kitchen really is the heart of our home. It sits at the center of our floor plan and is where we gather at the start and end of each day—lounging on the sofas, playing a family game at the table, or sharing meals. This room also acts as our main entry, so there’s no formal foyer—everything from backpacks and jackets to laundry lives here. A porch off the kitchen stores outdoor cooking gear and our grill, and even holds a closed cabinet for shoes, making the porch an unexpectedly useful extension of the kitchen.
This space is a hard-working, flexible hub and we’ve learned to lean into that. It supports a lot of activities without feeling cluttered when organized thoughtfully.
Kitchen Before & After
We love a good before-and-after transformation. One of the first changes was turning a window into a door that opens to the functional kitchen porch mentioned above. Seeing the evolution from the original worn surfaces and awkward layout to how the space functions today is satisfying.
Here’s an after shot from the same angle:
When we first moved in we used temporary solutions while learning how we actually wanted to live in the space. Over time those early layouts gave way to a cohesive design that feels comfortable and practical today.
And the current setup:
We’ve documented several stages of this remodel, from initial impressions when we first toured the house through multiple iterations of layout and finishes. The changes feel meaningful because they reflect how we actually live here rather than following trends for the sake of it.
We Chose a Table, Not an Island
One intentional choice was opting for a dining table instead of an island. We’ve had island seating in past homes, but prefer chairs that let us face one another and linger longer at the table. Decisions like this are personal—don’t let trends dictate how you live. What matters is choosing solutions that suit your family’s daily routines, not what the market might consider fashionable.
A New Chandelier
We installed a glass bubble chandelier—found via Pinterest—that feels like a small luxury and ties the room together. The fixture casts a soft, warm glow and became the finishing touch that made the area feel intentional and complete.
We took these photos months ago and remembered the bouquet—rescued from a walking path near a wedding venue—and how it brightened the table. Fresh flowers make a big difference in photos and in real life.
Patience Pays Off
Many neighbors initially told us they couldn’t imagine making the house work. We were drawn to its potential and committed to making thoughtful changes rather than rushing. Small homes can feel larger with careful planning, measured changes, and time to see how a space actually performs. Our sitting area went through an awkward phase before we landed on the final layout, and it took a couple of years before we began a full kitchen renovation. Now, five years in, the space finally feels settled.
Our main piece of advice: give yourself permission to live in a space and learn from it before making major changes. Rushing a renovation can lead to choices that don’t reflect how you actually use a room.
Looking Beyond the Kitchen
One unique challenge is that the sitting area looks directly into our bedroom. To prevent an awkward sightline, we added storage and floating shelves so the bedroom reads more like an extension of the living area. The video tour above includes glimpses into the bedroom and custom built-ins and a DIY fireplace mantle we installed.
More On Our Kitchen Reno
If you want to dive deeper into the multi-year renovation, we’ve documented the full before tour, progress at several milestones, cabinet painting tips, organization strategies, and more. These resources show the step-by-step choices that turned an awkward, underused space into a functional central hub for our family.
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