Long galley kitchens often suffer from the same problem. Cabinets line both walls, storage fills every available inch, and the builder-grade finish makes the room feel more practical than memorable.
Instead of updating some of the surfaces, the homeowners removed the original white kitchen and started over. In a remodel shared by an Instagram account @upperkirby_kitchenandbathThey remodeled the space with sage-green cabinetry, wood countertops, brass hardware, open shelving and a new backsplash while keeping the same basic footprint.
The layout remains recognizable, but almost every visible surface has changed. What once looked like a standard builder-grade kitchen is now designed with color, materials and custom details in mind, rather than stock finishes.
White cabinets line both sides of the galley
Extending from one end of the cabinetry room to the other, a narrow galley creates storage on either side of the layout. White raised-panel doors, gray laminate countertops and fluorescent ceiling fixtures define the original design.
Storage was never an issue. The challenge was that nearly every surface blended into the same builder-grade palette, leaving the room without a strong focal point.
The builder-grade finish continues around the sink wall
The sink wall overlooked the adjacent living room through a large pass-through opening. White cabinetry surrounds the workspace while laminate countertops stretch throughout the run.
Black appliances provided contrast, but few materials introduced texture, color, or visual interest to the room.
Sage green replaced white cabinetry
Custom Shaker cabinets replaced the original raised-panel doors throughout the kitchen. Sage green introduces color without overwhelming the narrow footprint, while crown detailing creates a more finished look at the roofline.
Natural wood countertops replace former laminate surfaces and establish a warm material palette throughout the room.
Open shelves replaced part of the upper cabinet run
Floating wooden shelves offer display space for dishes, cookware and decorative accessories. Removing part of the upper cabinetry prevents the kitchen wall from feeling crowded.
The white hexagon tile extends into the backsplash and creates a cleaner backdrop for the new material.
Tall cabinet towers reinforced the layout
Floor-to-ceiling cabinet towers frame both sides of the galley kitchen and create a more architectural look. Built-in microwave storage and an integrated refrigerator make surrounding cabinets feel designed for the space rather than installed in sections.
A recessed ceiling light also replaces the original fluorescent fixture and distributes light more evenly throughout the room.
Wood countertops changed the character of the kitchen
Wood countertops appear throughout the remodel and become one of the defining features of the finished design. Their natural grain introduces texture that was absent from the original kitchen.
The combination of wooden surfaces, painted cabinetry and stainless appliances creates a strong contrast throughout the room.
The sink became a functional workstation
A large workstation sink incorporates sliding accessories directly into the basin. A cutting board and prep insert allows tasks to be done within the sink area instead of on a separate countertop surface.
The upgrade improves performance by maintaining long uninterrupted stretches of workspace.
A decorative tile behind the range created a new focal point
The kitchen is centered around a decorative tile mural located behind the wall range. A brass hanging rail keeps utensils and cookware accessible while adding another material layer to the backsplash design.
Together with the curved glass hood, these elements establish a focal point that did not exist in the original kitchen.
Side-by-side photos show how much has changed without moving the walls
The galley footprint remains recognizable, but almost every visible surface was changed during the remodel. White cabinets, laminate counters, fluorescent lighting and builder-grade finishes gave way to custom cabinets, wood countertops, tile and brass cup hardware.
This project shows how a kitchen can look completely different even with the basic layout intact.
Sage green and wood finishes define the kitchen
Custom cabinetry, wood countertops, white hexagon tile, brass hardware and stainless appliances now serve as a unified material palette. The narrow galley layout remains, but the kitchen no longer looks like a standard builder installation.
What was once a white builder-grade kitchen now reads like a custom space designed around color, texture and craftsmanship.
All credit goes to Upper Kirby Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling /usacabinetstore.com. shared photos on @upperkirby_kitchenandbath.
