Modern European Style Kitchen Remodel: Before + After - Pennies for a Fortune (2024)

You guys!!!! I just finished my very first kitchen remodel for a client and it looks like a dream! If you’re into the modern European style kitchen aesthetic, you’re in for a treat! I’m going to share all the details and sources so you can get the same look – so get ready for some inspiration! Sources are all the way at the end.

To catch up on this remodel read this blog post and then come back to see the finished look!

The Dated 90’s Kitchen

Let’s take a look at where we started. My client bought this beautiful house but the kitchen was very dated with golden oak cabinetry throughout and it just looked and felt heavy. She wanted to reduce the number of upper cabinets and eliminate one of the walls to create an open concept feel. If we were going for a budget kitchen makeover I would have suggested removing some cabinets and putting a fresh coat of paint on the rest of them. But this was not a DIY kitchen remodel!

The Reveal: Modern European Style Kitchen Remodel

I can’t even believe it’s the same kitchen!! We removed the awkward china cabinet and a few uppers to make the kitchen feel light and airy. The small windows look intentional now! I also moved the sink from the front pony wall to the massive 11’ island – my clients were adventurous and chose a stunning Imperial Grey Italian Marble. The marble finish is leathered which means you can feel a lot more ridges and texture in the surface and it’s not reflective.

I wanted a grand looking vent hood with a lime washed finish and recessed niches on either side to store oils and vinegars. For the pot filler and faucet we chose a polished nickel finish which is so classy and pairs really well with antique brass knobs and drawer pulls. It gives it a unique historic feel which is so important when designing a European style kitchen. The husband has a more modern design style so I went with a shaker style and flat inset drawer panels for the cabinets. For a streamlined look on the back wall I continued the countertop as the backsplash and added a 12” deep ledge.

I’m always about adding fun little details that can really make a space feel unique. I did a little curved toe kick on the bottom of the cabinets and added a reeded panel on the upper most cabinets. That panel still has to be painted the same colors as the cabinets but it looks good au-natural as well!

Shop this Kitchen

Frequently Asked Questions about a DIY Kitchen Remodel

Now let’s get some commonly asked kitchen remodel questions out of the way!

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

Kitchen remodels can take a while! From several months to over a year if your appliances aren’t in stock. The design phase for this kitchen took about a month and when work started it took about 3-4 months for the contractors to wrap up this European kitchen remodel.

How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

My client had a budget of roughly $70k for the kitchen but that did not include any appliances, they used the original appliances that came with the house. It really depends on your budget because a kitchen remodel cost can be anywhere from a few thousand dollars to 10s of thousands! For a couple thousand dollars you can get a really high impact kitchen remodel on a budget by repainting the cabinets, adding new hardware, and replacing lighting. If you’re getting new cabinets and replacing countertops, the budget will be a lot higher.

How to pay for a kitchen remodel?

The ideal way would be to save up for one for a few months but it’s totally understandable to not have $20-30k just lying around to use all at once. Most contractors offer payment plans and taking on a personal loan could also be a good option – I know Discover bank offers personal loans for up to $40k and you can get same day approvals as well. Paying upfront for a kitchen remodel isn’t fun so most people work out payment plans.