Orchestrated by talented architects, these renovation projects offer a skillful balance between functionality and creativity. The proof is in these 7 exemplary kitchen transformations.
An inexhaustible source of inspiration, the kitchen is constantly being reinvented by architects and decorators curious about the taste of the moment. Beautiful, functional and above all convivial, it redefines the contemporary art of living thanks to new materials, vibrant colors and shapes that are less apprehended, becoming a more than central piece with a halo of functionality. How to give your old kitchen a makeover? How to make your kitchen more modern? Here are our most beautiful kitchen makeover inspirations.
Before the makeover: a dilapidated premises
A run-down premises that had not been maintained for years, the premises were used as storage space. Spotted on Houzz.fr, Nicolas Payet, interior designer at the head of the Marn Deco agency, was able to revamp this 13 m2 studio, giving it back all its functionality. Although the area is small, the owners wanted to be able to cook and eat on site.
After a makeover: an ultra-colourful long kitchen
Now, the kitchen extends over a full wall with the dining area in a row. Oak veneer furniture has been selected for its warm appearance, here enhanced by a white quartz worktop. In addition to the striking colorama mixing wine lees and Klein blue, the graphic rendering was one of the cornerstones of the project, which emphasized the rounded shape, the ultimate trend of the moment.
Before a makeover: an overcrowded kitchen
Nestled in a historic street of the capital, this 35 m2 apartment offers a beautiful harmony between old and modern thanks to the wise eye of the Holborn agency. Before the work, the kitchen suffered from a lack of openness to the adjoining rooms. The renovation got the better of the partitions but also the built-in furniture and the XXL sink.
After a makeover: a contemporary kitchen with plenty of storage space
Taking advantage of the high ceilings to maximize storage, the architects at the head of the project concentrated all the storage on a single wall. The result is a compact black kitchen surrounded by white cupboards modelled from standard IKEA cabinets, behind which are hidden dressing rooms, kitchen cupboards, refrigerator, washing machine and cleaning utens. Striking aesthetics and ingenious functionality.
Before a makeover: a poorly arranged kitchen
Initially, a new but charmless apartment, which was sorely lacking in storage space and which above all did not correspond to the taste of the young owner. In the picture, a non-existent dining room leaving a bare wall simply studded with chrome wall lamps, an unwelcoming bar and a kitchen that protrudes into the hallway. Everything had to be reviewed.
After: a fully equipped kitchen
Completely redesigned, the kitchen has changed its place to gain in functionality. The load-bearing wall has been extended to increase storage space and allow the creation of a separating bar. Chosen in an almond green that blends in perfectly with the décor, the IKEA 'Kallarp' kitchen has all the necessary equipment. A final detail at ground level: to avoid a clear demarcation between the kitchen and the rest of the room, interior designer Margaux Carnevali, head of NEVA Architecture Intérieur, opted for a gradient in favour of delicate inserts in the parquet floor.
Before a makeover: a dark and cluttered U-shaped kitchen
Dark and cluttered, this apartment installed in a residence from the 60s had not changed for several decades. Too narrow, too faded with unattractive colours and an old-fashioned floor, this U-shaped kitchen was accompanied by a pantry. For the architect Camille Hermand, it was obvious to revise the whole in order to create a bright room.
After a makeover: a modern and bright parallel kitchen
After the work, the horizon is cleared thanks to a linear of light furniture. The U-shaped kitchen loaded with wall units has been abandoned in favor of a parallel kitchen that is easier to use and much better suited to this long space. Blond wood, brass accessories, terrazzo-effect tiles: all these aesthetic choices help to create an atmosphere that is not only attractive but also rooted in the era.
Before a makeover: an ageing space
Uninhabited for several years, this small apartment had outdated fittings. Here we can see the entrance hallway leading to the kitchen and the bathroom from the living room. the architect Olivier Lekien has succeeded in transforming this 33 m² studio into a warm two-room apartment where softness and poetry are the answer.
After a makeover: a kitchen with soft colours
To optimize the volumes of this small apartment, the old kitchen and the sleeping area have been swapped, opening the stove area to the living room. Originally, the oak parquet floor has been completely restored to preserve the soul of the place. Made of white lacquered MDF, the kitchen plays the card of calibrated harmony thanks to a warm terracotta that dresses an open niche and the splashback, creating a fresh décor haloed with softness.
Before the makeover: a non-existent kitchen
Spotted on Houzz.fr, Claire Bourguignon and Ophélie Charmont of C&O Studio have remodelled this 72 m² Haussmannian apartment with an elegant play of chromatic contrasts. Originally located near the sleeping areas, the kitchen was removed and moved to the living-dining area for more functionality on a daily basis.
After a makeover: an ultra-functional open kitchen
Result? An atmosphere that is both contemporary and vibrant. Dressed in peacock blue and white fronts in the upper part, the open kitchen offers an exciting combination of colours and seductive details. To delimit this space, the duo of interior designers chose tiles with black and white geometric patterns. Combining light wood and bright orange, the dining area imposes an elegant atmosphere with contrasts.
Before a makeover: a faded kitchen
Distorted by unsuitable coatings and faded by the years, this 78 m2 renovated by the interior designer Camille Hermand had a well-hidden potential that was just waiting to be exploited. With its splashback and white tiles in the style of a doctor's office, this kitchen was part of the fabric of the place located at the antipodes of charm and conviviality.
After a makeover: a beautiful wooden kitchen
Despite its space-saving nature, the open kitchen is not suitable for all configurations. To take advantage of sufficient volume on the living room side, the architect wanted the original kitchen to retain its original place and therefore remain isolated. Special mention for the terracotta tiles, the wood finish of the IKEA furniture and the black granite worktop from Zimbabwe which contribute to giving it a chic and exotic country look.