The 100-Square-Foot Kitchen: Farm Style With More Storage and Counters
See how a smart layout, smaller refrigerator and recessed storage maximize this tight space
Our 100-Square-Foot Kitchen series profiles kitchens that measure about 100 square feet, one of the most common kitchen sizes in the U.S., according to Houzz data.
Dysfunctional doesn’t begin to describe the original kitchen in this 1920s home in St. Paul, Minnesota. One small wall of cabinetry and a sliver of a countertop were all that was available in terms of storage and prep space. Plus, three entry doors chopped up the walls and made adding cabinets nearly impossible. Not to mention that the refrigerator and range jutted into the room, making the traffic path through the space look like that of a bee that had sipped too much picnic beer.
Dysfunctional doesn’t begin to describe the original kitchen in this 1920s home in St. Paul, Minnesota. One small wall of cabinetry and a sliver of a countertop were all that was available in terms of storage and prep space. Plus, three entry doors chopped up the walls and made adding cabinets nearly impossible. Not to mention that the refrigerator and range jutted into the room, making the traffic path through the space look like that of a bee that had sipped too much picnic beer.
BEFORE: The kitchen had been in its original configuration since the house was built about 1920. A cast iron sink hung from one wall; a cabinet and fridge, which stuck into the room, occupied another wall; and a range sat against another. There was no dishwasher.
Three doors into the kitchen wasted valuable storage space. The homeowners had brought in the wood island for a counter surface, but otherwise the space functioned poorly for prepping and cooking meals.
Three doors into the kitchen wasted valuable storage space. The homeowners had brought in the wood island for a counter surface, but otherwise the space functioned poorly for prepping and cooking meals.
AFTER: Designer Brad Belka had the kitchen gutted to the studs. He then closed off the door leading to the dining room to get another corner for storage. While there wasn’t room for an island, the U-shape layout maximizes counter space.
The original windows sat too low to allow cabinets and countertops beneath them, so Belka put in shorter windows and positioned a new apron-front sink beneath them.
Custom cabinets offered the homeowners the most flexibility. “It adds cost, but in a small space, it goes a long way to getting you what you need,” Belka says. Painting them white helped brighten the room and bounce around light. “A dark kitchen in this size space would feel a little bit oppressive,” he says.
A counter-depth refrigerator, 24 inches wide and deep, saves space. Open shelves display the homeowners’ pottery collection.
Countertops: soapstone; sink: WH3018, Whitehaus; faucet: Savile, Delta; fridge: CP171SS, Summit; dishwasher: SHE43RL5UC, Bosch; lighting: custom
The original windows sat too low to allow cabinets and countertops beneath them, so Belka put in shorter windows and positioned a new apron-front sink beneath them.
Custom cabinets offered the homeowners the most flexibility. “It adds cost, but in a small space, it goes a long way to getting you what you need,” Belka says. Painting them white helped brighten the room and bounce around light. “A dark kitchen in this size space would feel a little bit oppressive,” he says.
A counter-depth refrigerator, 24 inches wide and deep, saves space. Open shelves display the homeowners’ pottery collection.
Countertops: soapstone; sink: WH3018, Whitehaus; faucet: Savile, Delta; fridge: CP171SS, Summit; dishwasher: SHE43RL5UC, Bosch; lighting: custom
AFTER: Belka closed off the doorway to free up the corner for more cabinet storage. A pass-through allows the homeowners to hand plates through to the dining room. The upper cabinets are backless, allowing access to dishes and liquor bottles from both rooms.
A rollout garbage can sits next to the sink. Slots on the toe kick and cabinet doors beneath the sink vent heat from a radiator. The pass-through doors echo the design detail.
Ripping up four layers of linoleum revealed the original wood floors.
White tile: Matte in designer white, 3 by 6 inches, American Olean; decorative tile: handmade, Clay Squared to Infinity; range: dual fuel stainless steel, KitchenAid
A rollout garbage can sits next to the sink. Slots on the toe kick and cabinet doors beneath the sink vent heat from a radiator. The pass-through doors echo the design detail.
Ripping up four layers of linoleum revealed the original wood floors.
White tile: Matte in designer white, 3 by 6 inches, American Olean; decorative tile: handmade, Clay Squared to Infinity; range: dual fuel stainless steel, KitchenAid
A pantry cabinet recessed in the wall holds canned goods and other nonperishables.
Two drawers on top of the counter offer additional storage and, now, a platform for a microwave and toaster oven (not seen in photo).
Details
Walls moved: No. One doorway was made wider, and another was framed up and closed off. Also, a hole was cut into the side of the house to vent the range.
Plumbing moved: Yes. All new plumbing and electrical was brought into the space. An open, unfinished basement made the work relatively easy.
Other professionals hired: Designer and general contractor
Duration of project: Three months of planning; three months of construction
Lived in during remodel: Yes. Belka helped set up a makeshift kitchen with a hot plate and microwave that the homeowners could use during construction.
Savings: The homeowners did the painting themselves.
Cost Breakdown
Construction: $48,000
Appliances: $3,000
Design fees: $4,200
Total: $55,200
Next: See a fully loaded 100-square-foot kitchen without clutter
Your turn: Do you have a 100-square-foot kitchen? We’d love to see your “before” and “after” photos in the Comments below.
More
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
10 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Kitchens
Find a kitchen designer near you
Details
Walls moved: No. One doorway was made wider, and another was framed up and closed off. Also, a hole was cut into the side of the house to vent the range.
Plumbing moved: Yes. All new plumbing and electrical was brought into the space. An open, unfinished basement made the work relatively easy.
Other professionals hired: Designer and general contractor
Duration of project: Three months of planning; three months of construction
Lived in during remodel: Yes. Belka helped set up a makeshift kitchen with a hot plate and microwave that the homeowners could use during construction.
Savings: The homeowners did the painting themselves.
Cost Breakdown
Construction: $48,000
Appliances: $3,000
Design fees: $4,200
Total: $55,200
Next: See a fully loaded 100-square-foot kitchen without clutter
Your turn: Do you have a 100-square-foot kitchen? We’d love to see your “before” and “after” photos in the Comments below.
More
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
10 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Kitchens
Find a kitchen designer near you
Size: About 100 square feet (about 9 square meters); 10½ by 9½ feet
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Cost: $55,200, including construction, appliances and design fees
Special features: Custom cabinets, pass-through to dining room, recessed pantry storage
Designer: Brad Belka of David Heide Design Studio