Before And After: A Dreary Dated Kitchen Gets A Stunning, Modern Refresh

Between cabinets, appliances, floors, countertops, tiles, and soft furnishings, updating an outdated or dysfunctional kitchen can quickly become overwhelming and more than a little confusing. However, like with many DIYs and home renovations, looking at successful examples is a great way to break this process down into manageable steps and figure out the solutions that might work for you. One such example is the kitchen of TikTok content creator @lauramvila, which was recently redone with a tremendous amount of success.

This space originally felt boring, old-fashioned, and even a little bit grimy for a variety of reasons. The floor, for instance, was covered with oversized, beige-colored tiles that looked plain and cold, sucking the life out of the room from the bottom up. In addition, the white cabinets blended into the off-white walls, resulting in an uninteresting and uninspired look. Even the existing countertops felt out-of-date due to the darkly-colored, busy pattern, which felt more fitting for the 2000s than the 2020s. So, how was this kitchen successfully transformed into something not only fashionable and modern but functional as well? Well, it all comes down to the details. From built-in appliances to new flooring, seating, and taps, this kitchen renovation shows that the right changes can make all the difference. Let's dive into exactly what changes this content creator made to her kitchen to help you start thinking about 100 ideas for your kitchen remodel.

One key change that was made in this particular kitchen remodel, which resulted in a transformation to the overall effect of the room, was the addition of a seating nook. Previously, the space next to the main kitchen area was empty, causing the room to feel unbalanced and largely wasted. By asking her carpenter to install a square bench that fitted into the corner of the room, the homeowner was able to bridge the gap between the cabinets and the pantry while creating a sweet, comfortable seating area at the same time. In addition, the bench includes hidden storage underneath, allowing for easy access to everyday items while keeping them off countertops and helping to reduce visual clutter.

@lauramvila

I'll never skip an opportunity to share this transformation ⚒️ #kitchenrenovation #rennovation #homerenovation #kitchendesign #beforeandafter

♬ headlock x jinx from arcane – ZOMBIE

The other huge job in this renovation project, which had a huge effect not only on the look of the space but also the practicality of it, was the installation of panel-ready appliances. These are special devices such as dishwashers, refrigerators, or freezers that are designed to function behind cabinet doors or panels. To install them, you first have to measure your existing cabinets and countertops — or your new ones if you're planning to replace them — and find the appliances that will fit into your space. At this point, many homeowners then choose to employ a carpenter or cabinet maker to build the panels that will go over each appliance. This is because, in order to look sleek and effective, the measurements and installation need to be just right. So, those are the practical changes made to update this old-fashioned kitchen, but how was it then decorated to give it a beautiful, elegant finish?

Countertops are a vital part of kitchen design because they take up so much physical and visual space in the room. So, part of the reason this remodel project was such a success was that the countertops were swapped out with something that felt modern and fresh, thus translating that feeling into the rest of the space. Choosing a countertop color that gives your kitchen the right vibe can be difficult, and this content creator opted for a white and grey-brown natural marble that actually wasn't too dissimilar from the original countertop shade. However, the new marble looks much more contemporary and organic because it features a wide, loose structure in contrast to the tight, busy pattern of the previous brown countertops, which felt dated and heavy.

To support the new countertops and give the kitchen a polished feel, the homeowner then selected the paint shade Malabar by Sherwin-Williams for the cabinets, pantry, and dining nook seating. This light brown shade is similar to Dutch Boy's chosen paint color of the year for 2026 — Melodious Ivory — and is therefore very much an on-trend choice. In addition, the shade brings out both the lighter brown hues in the marble countertop and the warm, earthy feel of the new wooden flooring. This kitchen is a great example of how you can make a room feel sleek, coordinated, and intentional by carrying the same shade through all the built-in units and panelling. Finally, the content creator finished the look off by styling mixed wood tones in various furniture pieces and cutting boards on display. These serve to tie together the oak flooring, marble countertops, and paint colors to create a seamless, modern effect overall.