Top 5 Cool Kitchen Transformations Without a Designer

We present an amazing collection of kitchens that our heroes transformed without a designer. They independently planned every detail — from layout to small decor elements — and made their kitchens cozy, beautiful, and functional.

Video (55 minutes): Small Kitchen in a 1926 House

This vibrant and stylish kitchen was arranged by Dana Laba. They literally changed everything: walls, floor, window, and all plumbing. The corner cabinet was custom-made and has plenty of storage space. The duo of gray cabinets and terracotta walls created a very harmonious look: the tones balance each other beautifully and look quite striking. The worktop was extended to the windowsill and placed near the sink window. At first glance, it seems impossible, but on a compact kitchen, there was room for a built-in refrigerator, oven, cooktop, range hood, and even a washing machine.

Scandi Kitchen with Budget Solutions

The kitchen area of engineer Ekaterina Leonova is 5.3 sq. m. To slightly increase useful space and accommodate the refrigerator, the entrance from the hallway into the kitchen was moved to the common living room area. The apartment is gasified, so a sliding partition was made to separate the kitchen from the living room. Additional storage was organized in a small cabinet that serves as a mini-island. It includes a drawer and compartments, and the countertop became an additional working surface.

Cozy Retro-Style Kitchen

This kitchen was arranged by journalist Kristina Likhacheva with her husband, under a limited budget, without leaving the apartment. The kitchen was divided into several functional zones: a cooking area, dining area, and a relaxation zone with a sofa and armchair. Two types of finishing materials were used on the floor. In the wet zone — ceramic tiles that pair beautifully with the backsplash, and in the rest of the space, laminate was laid. White cabinet fronts were complemented with assorted crystal handles in blue. Accent elements included items in retro style: a blue refrigerator, oven, armchair, and pendant light.

Stylish Kitchen with Two Windows

Blogger Elena Nikolaeva decorated the kitchen in a Stalin-era apartment from 1953. For finishing and furniture, they chose white and gray — neutral colors that are organically enhanced with wooden elements. The cabinet was placed along two opposite walls, and a functional island was designed between the windows. They deliberately avoided bulky upper cabinets and replaced them with wooden shelves. An interesting visual effect is achieved by combining modern finishes, IKEA furniture, and vintage items.

Modern Black-and-White Kitchen

In her spacious kitchen, a specialist in the banking sector Polina Gerasimova used a classic combination of dark cabinet fronts, white tiles on the backsplash, and white countertops. This look appears very stylish and luxurious. She intentionally avoided upper cabinets to keep the space airy. The wall above the sink was enhanced with shelves made from natural wood, where she beautifully arranged decor and indoor plants — they transformed and enlivened the interior. Polina always dreamed of a large table, so a large island with a wine cabinet and storage appeared in the center of the kitchen.

Our heroes decided not to seek help from designers and, as you can see, they created amazing interiors with cool features. These kitchens are impressive in design and practical ideas.