Small condos often have closets, narrow hallways, and partial walls separating the kitchen from the entry. As more homeowners look for open layouts, some find that removing one hallway closet can change the entire floor plan.
Reddit user u/rusted10 Remodeled his daughter’s condo by removing the entry coat closet, opening up two interior walls, relocating the refrigerator and remodeling the kitchen around the large island. New pantry cabinets replaced lost storage, creating a kitchen that feels larger without increasing the home’s footprint.
An entry wall keeps the kitchen out of sight
The original entrance draws attention to the blank walls rather than the kitchen. A coat closet occupied the corner next to the entrance, while the refrigerator was tucked inside a narrow alcove outside the dividing wall. Visitors entered through a hallway that provided little connection to the main living space.
The kitchen itself was based on old gray cabinets, dark flooring and limited work surfaces. Although the rooms were functional, the surrounding walls reduced daylight and created a series of narrow passages rather than one continuous living area.
A pantry cabinet narrows the entryway
A tall pantry cabinet next to the refrigerator extended the visual barrier created by the hallway closet. Full-height storage reaches to the ceiling, making the entrance to the kitchen appear more austere than the room behind it.
Removing this section became just as important as removing the closet. Relocating the refrigerator opened up enough space for continuous cabinetry on another wall while creating a larger entrance to the kitchen.
The demolition exposed the entire front wall
The first phase of demolition exposed the framing, electrical wiring, plumbing, and soffits that housed hidden utilities above the cabinets. Removing both walls revealed how much of the kitchen was separated from the entry.
The opening also established the future location of the island. Instead of facing drywall upon entering the condo, the line of sight will continue from the kitchen to the back window, making the footprint appear larger.
Removing the soffits increased the kitchen
After the demolition reached the ceiling, the original soffits disappeared and exposed the plumbing vents above the cabinets. Instead of rebuilding the boxed ceiling, the remodel left the ceiling plane open and prepared the walls for tall cabinetry.
The exposed framing also made it possible to re-route the wiring for the recessed lighting. The new ceiling height creates a strong vertical line throughout the finished kitchen.
Framing Define the New Island
Fresh framing marks the future island footprint while surrounding walls remain exposed for electrical and plumbing work. At this stage the remodel turns from demolition to reconstruction, the rotation becomes much easier to understand.
An open floor hints at an already finished workflow. The refrigerator, sink, and range no longer compete for the same narrow aisle, allowing each work zone to occupy its own section of the room.
The island became the center of the layout
White shaker cabinets introduce the new kitchen while the island begins to define the center of the space. The refrigerator moves into a wall of full-height cabinets, replacing the cramped alcove found in the original layout.
This island replaces most of the storage removed from the hallway closet. Base cabinets within the island provide hidden storage while preserving open circulation around each side.
A work triangle began to take shape
Butcher block countertops combine the refrigerator, sink and preparation area into one continuous work surface. A farmhouse sink sits beneath an exposed wall reserved for floating shelves, while the dishwasher sits next to the main cleanup zone.
A large island creates a second preparation surface without obstructing movement between the entry, kitchen and living room. Compared to the original floor plan, the new arrangement supports multiple people inside the kitchen at once.
Appliances complete the main cabinet wall
After installing the microwave, range, refrigerator, and sink, the kitchen begins to function as a complete workspace. White Shaker cabinets contrast with black hardware and stainless steel appliances, creating definition without introducing additional colors.
Butcher block countertops soften the white cabinetry while each work surface extends. Their continuous grain ties the sink wall, cooking area and island together.
Floating shelves replaced the upper cabinets
Instead of filling the wall with more cabinetry, three floating wooden shelves leave the backsplash visible and maintain an open look above the farmhouse sink. Black concealed supports give each shelf a clean profile without visible brackets below.
The textured white backsplash becomes part of the design instead of disappearing behind the cabinet. Open shelves also let natural light from nearby windows circulate across the wall.
Textured tile added depth
Large format white tiles with a wave texture replace the dark mosaic backsplash found in the original kitchen. A repeating surface captures light throughout the day and introduces depth without relying on dark color.
A black bridge-style faucet creates a contrast against the white sink and backsplash, while floating shelves continue the butcher block finish across the wall. Together these materials balance warm wood with painted cabinetry.
Butcher Block wraps the island
The finished island gets a thick butcher block countertop that extends beyond the cabinet base to create comfortable seating. The wooden surface reflects light and introduces warmth against the gray flooring and white cabinetry.
The island from this corner also serves as a transition between the entry and the kitchen. Instead of blocking movement, it defines the cooking area while keeping the floor plan visually open.
The open kitchen changed the first impression
A finished kitchen greets visitors immediately upon entering the condo. What once looked like a hallway now functions as part of the living area, with the island becoming the focal point instead of a former closet wall.
Recessed ceiling lights brighten each section of the room, while tall cabinets draw attention upward once the soffits disappear. The kitchen looks bigger because the walls no longer interrupt the view.
A closet shows before and after what changed
A side-by-side comparison highlights the biggest decision to remodel. Removing the hallway closet did a lot more than remove storage. It changed the entire organization of the condo by allowing the refrigerator to be moved, the island to fit, and the kitchen to face the entry.
According to u/rusted10, the remodel also included pantry cabinets to replace lost storage, tall upper cabinets after removing the soffits, butcher block countertops chosen to control costs, shelf brackets hidden inside the wall, and a farmhouse sink built into the revised upper cabinet to save money. The finished space shows how removing a hallway cupboard can reshape an entire kitchen without adding square footage.
Image credits: Reddit user u/rusted10 via Reddit.
