*We updated this post to add more photos and a short video, so if something looks new since you first read this, that’s why — you’re not imagining it.
We first shared this space three weeks after we moved in and now offer a six-month update. We still have long-term plans for the kitchen, but this is how it looks right now. Photographing a room as it changes is so rewarding—it’s fun to look back and see the evolution.
Since that early post, we made several inexpensive changes that have made the room much more comfortable and usable for our family. We made five small updates, painted the cabinets, and reorganized storage to fit a smaller kitchen footprint. Those simple improvements really added up.
We plan to fully renovate the kitchen eventually, but our updates have made the current layout pleasant enough that we’re in no rush. We like to live with a space for a while before committing to a major renovation — it helps us see what works, what’s needed, and what’s worth the investment.
You’ll notice a few changes in the photos: we moved a bookshelf, centered the table more in the room, and added new appliances. We found a secondhand appliance suite including a counter-depth fridge for a great price. The new stove feels like a daily luxury.
Previously we had a mismatched white stove and black dishwasher. Upgrading to matching stainless appliances not only looks better, it’s made daily life easier — the dishwasher is noticeably quieter, for example.
We moved one of our Ikea bookshelves closer into the kitchen zone to free up space in the sitting area and to balance the room around a more central table. We were careful to only keep this layout if it didn’t feel cramped — practicality is important to us — and after anchoring the shelf to the left wall and rehanging art, the layout passed the test.
The table looks close to the fridge from certain angles, but head-on you can see there’s usable clearance — not an abundance of space, but enough so the room functions well. The drawers beside the table still open and store our tools (because that’s who we are), while the shelves across the room hold pantry items.
When guests sit around the table the drawers are harder to access, but we rarely need tools while eating, so it hasn’t been an issue.
On the other side of the room the fridge protrudes a bit more into the space. The counter-depth fridge we bought will sit a bit further back and give more clearance, but surprisingly John loves the current setup because he can reach things from the table without standing up. Small conveniences can bring big joy.
The adjacent sitting area is a real bonus. When we want to lounge and watch a movie we head upstairs to the family room, but this informal zone is perfect for kids or guests who want to be nearby while someone cooks or cleans.
Moving the second shelf toward the kitchen freed up space for a small settee, so we now have seating for four. We could swap in a larger rug later, but we like the one we have for now. Here I am with the world’s cutest dog for scale.
We also added a new coffee table with brass hardware and generous hidden storage — two deep drawers that are perfect for winter hats, gloves, and tool batteries. It’s a subtle but very useful upgrade.
From certain angles the seating looks like it might block the door, but the layout allows plenty of landing space in front of the entry and the laundry closet doors still open easily.
Update: We filmed a quick walkthrough video so you can get a better sense of the space. It shows a few loops around the kitchen and sitting area.
In the video we briefly experimented with rotating the table base so the chairs sit differently around the pedestal. We tried both orientations and ultimately chose the position that makes it easiest to tuck the chairs in, though I still spin the table depending on my mood.
The six-drawer dresser under the window is essential. It stores everything we reach for when leaving or entering the house — leashes, sunscreen, sunglasses, chapstick — everything that keeps us organized.
Here’s the view from the bedroom toward the kitchen and sitting area, giving a better sense of circulation and spacing. We’ve left enough room to move through easily while keeping the area cozy and functional.
This little zone will continue to evolve. A floor lamp would brighten the reading area, and in time we might replace the settee with a larger chair-and-a-half or a small loveseat and larger art above it. For now, the current setup is comfortable and works well for our family.
Many of the main pieces in this room came from our moving pod: the Ikea bookshelves, the kitchen table and chairs, the armless sitting chairs, the rug, the entryway dresser, and much of our art and accessories. It’s satisfying to see how those pieces now feel like they belong here.
A few before photos show the transformation more clearly. The “before” kitchen felt darker and more closed-in, and the current arrangement is brighter, more functional, and better suited to our daily life.
If you have questions about details like the bulkheads or refinished floors, we’ve documented those projects elsewhere. For now, I’m going to see if I can catch John’s “ketchup arm” on camera — it’s the small conveniences that make a house feel like home.
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through certain links on our site at no additional cost to you.