Small Kitchen, Reconsidered.
Updated: 4 days ago
When we purchased our 1911 home in Durango, Colorado, the kitchen was doing more than its fair share of work. There was a washing machine next to the sink, very little
usable preparation space, and nowhere to comfortably gather. Our approach to this small kitchen renovation began with one thing we knew we wanted to preserve: beautiful natural light.
The kitchen occupied the newer portion of the house, an addition constructed in the 1950s. While the original rooms lent themselves to more traditional details, the addition offered an opportunity to introduce a slightly different design language. We wanted the kitchen to acknowledge that midcentury history without feeling like a period recreation.
Working with what was already there
One of our first decisions was to preserve as many windows as possible. In a relatively small kitchen, natural light makes an enormous difference, and we didn't want to sacrifice it for additional cabinetry.
Instead, we introduced floor-to-ceiling alder cabinetry along the main wall, creating significantly more storage without expanding the footprint. The warm wood became the dominant material in the room, bringing texture and depth to an otherwise simple palette.
We also added an island and a dedicated dining area surrounded by windows. These changes gave the kitchen something it had been missing: places to prepare food, sit down and spend time together.
Small Kitchen Renovation: Making Every Surface Count
One of the most practical decisions was choosing an induction cooktop.
Unlike a conventional gas burner, the flat induction surface can double as additional counter space when it's not in use. In a compact kitchen, that flexibility matters. We could set down bowls, arrange ingredients or use the surface for preparation without navigating raised burners.
Induction also offered faster heating, particularly useful when cooking at Durango's higher elevation, where water takes longer to boil.
It's a small example of how we approached the renovation: looking for decisions that would make everyday life easier without adding unnecessary complexity.
A restrained material palette
Because the room was compact and the cabinetry was visually substantial, we kept the surrounding finishes light.
Pale quartz countertops and glossy Fireclay ceramic subway tile in Hood River create a quiet backdrop for the alder. Their subtle surfaces reflect the natural light without competing with the grain of the wood.
Brass-toned cabinet hardware and a matching faucet introduce a little warmth, while a deep farmhouse sink adds utility.
Over the dining area, a George Nelson Bubble pendant brings a distinctly midcentury note. Its soft shape contrasts with the straight lines of the Shaker cabinetry and gives the room a sense of balance.
A kitchen made for living
The finished kitchen isn't particularly large, and that was never the goal.
What changed was how the room functioned. Storage became more intentional. Preparation space increased. The dining area became part of the kitchen rather than an afterthought.
Most importantly, the room retained the quality that drew us to it in the first place: light.
For me, this renovation was about understanding what the house already offered, then making a series of practical and material decisions that allowed it to work better for the way we lived.
