Kitchen Makeovers

Learn how one homeowner and a creative friend completely transformed this kitchen for $2,300.

• See the complete makeover on SouthernLiving.com.

This kitchen had assets -- well-made cabinets, vintage tile countertops, and a generous layout -- but they were hidden by layers of aged grout, worn paint, scuffed linoleum, and cutesy detailing.

A new island, covered in stainless steel and painted with bright orange auto body paint, makes all the difference. Other fixes included removing the wooden window scallop, replacing the knobs with metal handles, and covering the cabinetry with white marine paint.

• See the complete makeover on Sunset.com.

Got kitchen cabinets that are in good condition but are boring? Here's a way to refresh your room's look.

• See the complete makeover on MyHomeIdeas.com.

See the refreshing results of the cabinet makeovers.

• See the complete makeovers on MyHomeIdeas.com.

The tragic flaw in this big kitchen was the lighting -- fluorescents set in a dropped ceiling.

Recessed lighting and a new, 9-foot gypsum drywall ceiling was just the start. New tiles, flooring, and paint complete the picture.

• See the complete makeover on SouthernLiving.com.

The original kitchen in this condemned beach shack in Venice, California, was a cramped, haphazard jumble. The young owners had major budget constraints but believed in finding creative ways to make the most of what they had.

Out went the old mold -- and fire-damaged interior walls -- and in came space-saving wood cabinets, contemporary fixtures, and lightweight concrete countertops. The owners did most of the work themselves, turning a ruin into a neighborhood showpiece.

• See the complete makeover on Sunset.com.

Research is the first major step in remodeling your kitchen. Gather ideas from your favorite magazines, books, Web sites, and dealer showrooms. Once you have a folder of ideas, it’s time to do a reality check on needs versus desires.

• See all of the tips on MyHomeIdeas.com.

The goal of this remodel was to transform a bland, U-shaped space into a brighter, more contemporary kitchen where the family could gather and entertain without going beyond the room’s footprint.

White Shaker-style cabinet fronts are a bright foil for the vibrant glass-tile backsplash. New niches display cobalt bowls. A two-toned, two-tiered concrete counter -- pale green above and charcoal gray below -- adds sleek style to the work and serving spaces.

• See the complete makeover on Sunset.com.

This kitchen was dingy and dark; its wood cabinets were equally matched by surrounding brown (brown!) appliances that barely worked and plain-Jane linoleum floors. And then there was the red floral wallpaper.

See this homeowner's great choices, from an aged stucco treatment on the walls to alder wood cabinets and porcelain floors.

• See the complete makeover on SouthernLiving.com.

Custom cabinetry with fine detailing gives the new kitchen architectural "bones" and traditional charm. White ceramic subway tile on the backsplash and an ogee edging on the solid-surface countertops are classic; stainless steel appliances are a nod to the new.

• See the complete makeover on MyHomeIdeas.com.

Every kitchen needs an occasional update. Maybe the space isn’t working for a changing family. Perhaps you’re tired of the noisy dishwasher or the oven that heats unevenly. But, before you proceed consider these planning checklists for the best return on your dollars and your dreams.

• See all of the tips on MyHomeIdeas.com.

Before the remodel, this circa-1900 San Francisco home had little connection with the outdoors. Most prospective buyers had walked in, looked around in disbelief, and left.

Light-reflecting flat white paint now covers old paneling. Floor-to-ceiling French doors open an entire wall to the small deck. A wood table and benches mixed with metal dining chairs create a relaxed look. A marble backsplash and wood display shelf make the kitchen handsome enough to entertain in. And the breakfast bay acts as a daylight-catcher that brightens the rest of the kitchen.

• See the complete makeover on Sunset.com.

See these inspiring makeovers that take place within each home’s existing floor plan. The creative repurposing of space transforms these rooms from dull and outdated to just like new.

• See more remodeled kitchens on MyHomeIdeas.com.

See how we took on the challenge of transforming an outdated kitchen from cluttered to classic -- with less than $400 to spend.

The homeowners were so happy with the finished project that they bought a new dishwasher and microwave to complete the new look. Mission accomplished!

• See the complete makeover on MyHomeIdeas.com.

Food tastes better when it’s made in a pretty space. Now there’s no official study backing that statement, so you’re just going to have to trust us. But have no fear: You, too, can get a gorgeous look. Kitchen designer Cyndy Cantley of Birmingham shows us a makeover project that’s near and dear to her heart -- her very own kitchen.

Cyndy Cantley’s design secrets transform this kitchen into a showstopping space. Follow her helpful hints to take your kitchen from dated to dazzling.

• See the complete makeover on SouthernLiving.com.

As is typical of turn-of-the-century Victorian homes, the original kitchen was just an empty room, with the sink relegated to a separate annex. Needless to say, it was an inconvenient setup. A tall cabinet was the only built-in.

To achieve vintage charm with modern function, the homeowners chose state-of-the-art components designed, whenever possible, in turn-of-the-century style.

• See the complete makeover on MyHomeIdeas.com.

This 12- x 13-foot kitchen was walled off from the adjacent dining room, which had a beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay. A jumble of work surfaces made cooking prep and socializing difficult.

Now it’s a warm and inviting place to cook and hang out with friends. A bigger opening and hardwood floors connect the room with the rest of the house.

• See the complete makeover on Sunset.com.