When she left to visit her mother, he decided to take on an ambitious project—renovating their tiny five-square-meter kitchen entirely on his own. When she returned, she was completely stunned by the transformation. What had once been a cramped and outdated space had turned into a functional and stylish kitchen.
The kitchen was in poor condition, but he was determined to change that. He recorded every step of the process to capture the experience. The first step was to dismantle everything except for the sink and gas stove, which were still needed for cooking during the renovation. The plastic window had already been installed, making the process slightly easier.
One of the major tasks involved replacing the heating pipes and radiators throughout the apartment to avoid additional work later. Since he was a plumber, he saved money by only purchasing the necessary materials, and a welder friend helped with some of the installations.
During the renovation, he noticed the ventilation window was too low, so he adjusted its placement by creating an opening next to the pipe. After installing the stretch ceiling, aligning the range hood vent required extra effort, but the final result was perfectly positioned.
To keep the kitchen organized and efficient, the gas meter was installed behind the refrigerator, ensuring easy access while keeping it out of sight. A plasterboard panel covered a space that was once a doorway leading to the bathroom. Fortunately, the previous owners had already bricked it up, making it easier to even out the wall with drywall instead of traditional masonry.
Knowing his partner’s love for green, he chose this color for the walls, which complemented the natural light streaming through the window. The shade added warmth and vibrancy to the space. The limited space between the stove and sink—only five centimeters—was not an issue, as the countertop widened beyond the corner, providing more workspace.
To modernize the kitchen, he replaced the curtains with slatted blinds, allowing more light in and freeing up the windowsill. The glass cabinet doors were decorated with a star pattern, adding a unique touch to the design. The heating pipe, previously running along the wall, was raised and now blends seamlessly with the ceiling, making space for a sleek false ceiling.
Under-cabinet lighting was installed for both functionality and ambiance. Using a standard roll of LED strip and a diffuser, he secured the lights with double-sided tape and connected them to a switch. The lights, powered by 220 volts, required a specialized power supply to function properly. He chose simple white LEDs, which created a warm and inviting atmosphere without overwhelming the space.
This renovation, though small in scale, was a true labor of love, demonstrating how creativity and determination can transform even the most modest spaces. Every detail was carefully planned and executed, proving that with effort and thoughtful design, any kitchen—no matter how small—can become a beautiful and functional part of the home.