Ann Arbor Kitchen Connects Four Rooms
A completed Ann Arbor remodel united the kitchen, family room, guest bath, and powder room into a cohesive, modern open-plan space. The project focused on improving flow and usability for everyday life while maintaining a contemporary yet welcoming aesthetic. The renovation demonstrates how strategic layout changes can transform multiple connected spaces.
The project, undertaken by Ann Arbor-based Forward Design Build Remodel, addressed a layout the homeowners found dark and cramped. The original kitchen lacked the space for two people to cook together comfortably and was disconnected from the home's other living areas. To open up the space, designers removed walls that had separated the kitchen from the living room, dining room, and foyer. New, higher windows were installed to increase natural light, which also created space for additional perimeter cabinetry and counter space below. Key features of the new design blend mid-century and modern aesthetics. The kitchen includes two-tone cabinets, white quartz countertops with a waterfall edge, and custom-built "appliance garages" to conceal small appliances and keep surfaces uncluttered. This type of open-plan design remains a persistent trend, evolving to create "zoned" areas for cooking, dining, and living without using walls. Current trends favor minimalist, concealed storage and large islands to enhance the feeling of a larger, more social environment. The design and build firm, founded by Jef Forward, has operated in Ann Arbor for over 27 years. The company's stated philosophy is to create functional, beautiful spaces that reflect the client's personality through a collaborative design process. In the Ann Arbor market, the cost for a typical kitchen remodel in 2026 is projected to be between $45,000 and $130,000. Major and custom kitchen renovations generally start at $80,000 and can increase significantly based on structural changes and material selections.
