Kitchen cabinet space is at a premium in many houses. If you're struggling with how to add cabinet space, consider this before and after example.

Before the Kitchen Renovation

The house:

• Was 80-years-old.
• Had three bedrooms and one bathroom.
• Was on a small lot.

The bathroom was on the second floor and the owners wanted to add a powder room on the first floor, plus do a kitchen renovation to maximize cabinet space. The kitchen had a galley layout with two windows, a pantry, and a back door that limited wall cabinet space.

Home Improvement Options

The couple talked with their contractor about expanding the kitchen, but decided:

• The cost was too high
• There was not enough yard space for a usable addition.

They then turned their attention to the existing space, looking for ways to gain the kitchen cabinet space they wanted.

The Kitchen Renovation

The contractor devised a plan that included closing off the pantry from the kitchen and using that new wall space for cabinets. The pantry space in the wall would become a powder room that was accessed from the dining room on the other side. A pocket door would be added in the dining room for entry to the powder room.

Issues with Adding Kitchen Cabinets

The home owners were concerned about losing the pantry storage, but thought the plan solved several home improvement problems. It:

• Augmented wall and base cabinet storage.
• Increased countertop area.
• Added a much needed powder room.

Kitchen renovations often require lots of creativity. By thinking imaginatively this contractor solved several problems and created a workable and attractive redesign of a large section of the first floor.

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years.