IKEA Cabinets Help Transform a Dark, Awkward Kitchen into a Chef's Dream

Interior decorator Katie Woodman and her husband renovated the kitchen in their 1970s split-level Colorado home, which was walled off, poorly lit, and had dated finishes. They removed walls, improved lighting, and installed IKEA cabinets to create an open, functional space. The renovation addressed layout, storage, and brightness, turning the room into a chef's dream.

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The couple's 1970s split-level home in Ft. Collins, Colorado, boasted charming features like a solarium and vaulted ceilings, but the kitchen suffered from cramped soffits, limited light sources, and dated brown-and-green granite surfaces. After initially painting the dark walnut cabinets white as a quick refresh, they decided within a week to pursue a complete renovation instead.

Working in phases while residing in the home, the pair handled much of the labor themselves and reserved contractor help for major structural work. The redesign rotated the