Small kitchens have to work harder than big ones. Every foot of counter, every cabinet door and every light has a job to do. This accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Austin’s Zilker neighborhood is a good example. The kitchen was old, dark and outdated, and the owner wanted something modern that would stand out and really pop, without making a small space feel crowded.
Before: an outdated kitchen in a tired unit
The kitchen was part of a bigger problem. The whole unit was showing its age, so the kitchen couldn’t be done on its own. We took the entire ADU down to the studs and rebuilt it: new insulation, a new roof, new windows and new doors, along with the new kitchen and bathroom. Starting from bare framing gave us the freedom to rethink how the kitchen was laid out instead of just swapping finishes.
The old layout didn’t invite anyone in. A large pantry took up a big piece of the room, and the refrigerator sat in a spot that made the space feel closed off.
The goal: modern, bright and a little bold
The owner wanted a modern kitchen that felt special, not a builder-basic box. It also had to make sense for an ADU: open, easy to move around in and welcoming to anyone staying there.
What we changed
- A more inviting layout. We reworked the floor plan so the kitchen opens to the living area instead of closing it off.
- A new island. The island adds prep space, storage and a place to sit, and it gives the room a natural center.
- Pantry out, walnut shelves in. We removed the bulky pantry and installed warm walnut floating shelves. They keep everyday dishes within reach and break up the light cabinets with natural wood.
- A plaster range hood. A smooth plaster hood over the range is the focal point of the room and gives the kitchen its modern look.
- New recessed lighting. New recessed can lights brighten the whole kitchen evenly, which matters in a smaller space.
- A new spot for the fridge. Moving the refrigerator opened up the layout and made the work area flow better.
Light shaker-style cabinets, brass-finish hardware, a brass faucet and a pot filler over the range tie the look together, and the stainless appliances keep it clean and modern.
Timeline, permits and budget
The kitchen portion took about 8 weeks, as part of the larger whole-unit remodel. Because the project changed the layout and went down to the studs, it was fully permitted. Permits aren’t always needed for a kitchen update, but when they are, we handle the blueprints and permits for you. The budget for this kitchen was about $55,000. Kitchen updates start around $10K, and full kitchen remodels typically run $40K and up depending on layout changes, finishes and how much of the space is being rebuilt.
The result
The finished kitchen feels bigger than it is. The island anchors the room, the walnut shelves and plaster hood give it personality, and the new lighting keeps it bright from end to end. It’s the modern kitchen the owner wanted, built to fit the way an ADU is really used.
If you’re weighing a bigger kitchen with a large island, our Westlake kitchen remodel shows how we opened up a full-size layout. And if you’re planning a new unit or a gut remodel like this one, see our ADU and room additions page.
Planning a small kitchen?
A few things we keep in mind on every small or ADU kitchen:
- Make storage earn its space. A big pantry can eat a small room. Open shelves and well-planned cabinets often hold what you need without boxing the kitchen in.
- Size the appliances to the room. Pick a range, fridge and dishwasher that fit the space and the way you cook, and plan where each one goes before anything is built.
- Light it in layers. Evenly spaced recessed cans, plus under-cabinet lighting where you work, keep a small kitchen from feeling dim.
- Get the layout right first. Where the fridge, sink and range sit decides how the kitchen feels to use. Moving one of them is often worth it.
We also remodeled the bathroom in this same unit. See the Zilker ADU bathroom remodel.
Want to see more of our work? Visit our kitchen remodeling in Austin page for project photos, pricing guidance and answers to common questions.
