This remodel, shared on Reddit by user Matt KosemReplacing the oak kitchen in the early 1990s with flat-panel IKEA fronts, dark quartz counters, tall cabinetry, new appliances and a large prep island completely changed how the narrow space worked.
The original kitchen already had generous cabinet storage, large windows and a functional footprint. But raised-panel oak doors, fluorescent lighting, laminate counters, wide upper cabinets and narrow walkways make the room feel dated and cramped.
Instead of keeping the kitchen divided into smaller sections, the remodel focused on opening up circulation paths, extending storage vertically, and simplifying nearly every surface throughout the room.
Original oak cabinets make the kitchen look heavy
Honey oak cabinetry was used on nearly every wall in the original kitchen, including the dining nook and sink wall.
Because the upper cabinets had decorative routed panels and dark trim, the room felt visually busy before adding anything to the counters. The old microwave wall and fluorescent hood area also created a heavy focal point around the cooking zone.
Window valances, wallpaper borders, laminate counters and small walkways push the kitchen deeper into the old closed layout.
Flat IKEA fronts eliminated the builder-grade cabinet look
The remodel replaced raised-panel oak doors with flat IKEA cabinet fronts in a soft beige tone.
That one change removed much of the shadow and depth that previously made the cabinetry feel bulky. Cleaner slab-style fronts also extended the cabinet walls vertically rather than breaking them into small decorative sections.
Homeowners noted that beige facades appear warmer in person and tend to shift more gray under current lighting.
Because the cabinet lines remain smooth and uninterrupted, the kitchen now reads as one continuous surface rather than multiple cabinet blocks competing against each other.
The large island opens up the entire center of the kitchen
The biggest change came from the layout itself.
Instead of having a narrow galley-style circulation path, the remodel introduced a large center island with seating and deep storage drawers below.
That shift completely changed how the kitchen operated. The center of the room now serves as a prep space, dining space, and gathering space instead of acting as a narrow passageway between walls of cabinets.
The homeowners specifically mentioned that the original layout felt like two narrow hallways next to each other.
Cambria Quartz replaced old laminate counters
The original kitchen used white laminate counters that blend into the backsplash and upper walls.
After the remodel, darker Cambria Quartz in Feldstone introduced a strong contrast throughout the room.
Darker surfaces sharpen the lighter cabinet fronts and create a clear separation between the island, sink wall and prep zone.
The homeowners also opted for thin-profile quartz counters inspired by European kitchens instead of thick traditional slabs. That slim edge helped the kitchen feel cleaner and less bulky overall.
New sinks and appliances sharpened the kitchen
The remodel replaced the old white appliances with stainless steel models throughout the kitchen.
A large farmhouse-style stainless sink turned out to be one of the sturdiest upgrades along the main wall. The large basin transformed the entire sink area from a small compartmentalized workspace into a continuous preparation and cleaning zone.
The new range, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator also introduced sharper lines against flatter cabinetry.
Instead of old black and white appliances visually blocking the room, stainless finishes now tie the entire kitchen together.
Tall cabinets change the height of the room
The original kitchen was often an eyesore with short cabinet runs, soffits and visual breaks.
After the remodel, tall cabinetry draws the eye up the entire kitchen wall. Around the refrigerator, pantry storage and upper cabinets now feel integrated into the architecture rather than attached to separate sections.
That vertical extension helped the room feel larger without dramatically expanding the footprint.
Black window frames replaced the entire sink wall
One of the strongest upgrades came from Windows.
The original kitchen used warm wood trim and old windows that blend right in with the oak cabinetry that surrounds them. After the remodel, the black-framed window presents strong contrast and sharp lines on the sink wall.
Because the surrounding cabinetry has become lighter and flatter, the windows now stand out instead of disappearing into the cabinet walls.
The remodel also removed much of the minor visual clutter from the original kitchen, including valances, wallpaper borders, ornate trim and routed cabinet details.
Although the space is narrow, the kitchen looks big
A remodel never relies on dramatic luxury finishes or oversized architectural additions.
Instead, the transformation came from simplifying surfaces, reducing cabinet detailing, improving circulation paths, and extending storage upwards rather than outwards.
The original kitchen felt cramped and fragmented. The new version feels quieter, cleaner and more connected to the surrounding living space.
The result looks closer to a modern Scandinavian-style family kitchen than an early 1990s oak layout.
All image credits go to the Reddit user @metcosemOn a Reddit thread.
