As we previously mentioned, we recently took a whirlwind trip to New York City, and the highlight of the visit was meeting our new nephew. While we were spending time with him in his parents’ beautiful uptown co-op, we finally saw their newly renovated kitchen in person after months of planning and work.
The original kitchen was extremely small — a single short wall contained a modest, outdated stove and a tired-looking refrigerator. Storage was minimal: two base cabinets, one drawer, and a few upper cabinets. It was a classic tiny NYC kitchen configuration that felt cramped and impractical.
There was no dishwasher, which in Manhattan often seems like a luxury rather than a standard feature. But Katie and Martin had a clever plan: by reclaiming the empty wall across from the cramped kitchen, they could add an L-shaped run of cabinets and appliances. This change would dramatically increase storage, improve the work flow with a proper work triangle, and allow for the installation of a compact dishwasher — a game changer for city living.
The empty L-shaped wall once included a door to the bedroom that was relocated to make room for the new cabinetry and layout. With that change they had the space to rethink the kitchen’s footprint and functionality. The couple used a kitchen planning service to finalize the design, carefully balancing storage, appliance placement, and aesthetics to create a cohesive result that fits their space and lifestyle.
And here’s the old kitchen gutted and ready for reconstruction:
After working with a planning service similar to the one we used during our own renovation, they executed a full transformation. The finished kitchen feels larger, cleaner, and far more useful. The new layout includes an L-shaped cabinet run that nearly triples available storage compared to the original setup, making daily routines and entertaining much easier.
New taller upper cabinets provide extra room for dishes and pantry items, while moving the refrigerator across the room freed up space for a compact dishwasher — a small appliance with an outsized impact on convenience in a metropolitan apartment. Stainless steel appliances and granite countertops bring a contemporary, durable finish that elevates the entire space. Updated cabinet hardware and a gas range complete the modern look while improving usability.
One detail we particularly appreciate is the selective use of glass-front cabinet doors. Katie and Martin chose glass panels on two cabinets on each side of the room to break up the solid wood and create a lighter, open feeling. Glass-fronted cabinets can reflect light and visually expand a small kitchen; in our own home we love the way a single glass door mimics a window and brightens the room. Thoughtful placement of a few glass-fronted doors can be a subtle but effective design move.
The renovation accomplished what the couple set out to do: it increased storage dramatically, improved the kitchen’s function, and created a stylish, cohesive aesthetic that suits their uptown co-op. The compact dishwasher adds everyday convenience, the new cabinetry organizes the space, and the modern finishes give the kitchen a fresh, inviting feel.
If you have a tiny kitchen, consider whether expanding into an adjacent wall or reconfiguring doorways might create more usable space. Adding taller upper cabinets, introducing a compact dishwasher, and selectively using glass-front doors are practical strategies that can transform a small kitchen without overhauling an entire apartment. Has anyone else tackled a small kitchen renovation? Are you thinking about introducing glass-front cabinets or a compact dishwasher in your space? We’d love to hear how others have maximized functionality and style in tight urban kitchens — let’s discuss ideas and solutions.