Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

Small country single-wall home bar in Austin with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, white benchtop, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

The newly created dry bar sits in the previous kitchen space, which connects the original formal dining room with the addition that is home to the new kitchen. A great spot for entertaining.

Design ideas for a transitional single-wall home bar in San Francisco with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, black splashback, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Home Bar
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern single-wall home bar in Austin with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, ceramic floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a small transitional single-wall home bar in Columbus with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, vinyl floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

This beverage center is located adjacent to the kitchen and joint living area composed of greys, whites and blue accents. Our main focus was to create a space that would grab people’s attention, and be a feature of the kitchen. The cabinet color is a rich blue (amalfi) that creates a moody, elegant, and sleek atmosphere for the perfect cocktail hour. This client is one who is not afraid to add sparkle, use fun patterns, and design with bold colors. For that added fun design we utilized glass Vihara tile in a iridescent finish along the back wall and behind the floating shelves. The cabinets with glass doors also have a wood mullion for an added accent. This gave our client a space to feature his beautiful collection of specialty glassware. The quilted hardware in a polished chrome finish adds that extra sparkle element to the design. This design maximizes storage space with a lazy susan in the corner, and pull-out cabinet organizers for beverages, spirits, and utensils.

The natural walnut wood creates a gorgeous focal wall, while the high gloss acrylic finish on the island complements the veining in the thick natural stone countertops. The navy finished bar lends a nice pop of color in the space.

Beautifully designed kitchen bar with antiqued glass front on upper cabinetry. Designed and styled by Gracious Home Interiors in Charlotte, NC.
This is an example of a small contemporary single-wall home bar in Charlotte with no sink, blue cabinets, white splashback, laminate floors, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Transitional single-wall home bar in Los Angeles with no sink, blue cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mirror splashback and blue benchtop.

Created space for a wall mounted TV as well as additional wine storage. Finished with some glass cabinet doors with gold accent hardware.
Photo of a mid-sized modern single-wall home bar in Dallas with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Corner area of this house that is used for a dry bar and sitting area, next to a beautiful and orignal fireplace. The dry bar has two under counter fridges with a tower and glass display. Floating shelves with a picture light over head that ties in with the kitchen picture light.

Design ideas for a transitional single-wall home bar in Boston with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Small modern single-wall home bar in Philadelphia with no sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Elegant home cocktail bar in kitchen with full height wine refrigerator for convenient in-home entertaining. Norman Sizemore photographer
Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped home bar in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a small eclectic l-shaped home bar in Raleigh with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, travertine splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern single-wall home bar in Chicago with no sink, open cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, light hardwood floors and grey benchtop.

Inspiration for a small transitional galley home bar in New York with blue cabinets, wood benchtops, light hardwood floors and blue benchtop.

Large transitional single-wall home bar in Chicago with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors and white benchtop.