As a food content creator, you can only imagine how much time I spend in my kitchen (hint: basically all day).
When Jeff and I got married in October of 2024, our townhome kitchen was about 20 years old and built with pretty cheap materials—it was time for an upgrade, especially considering I do food content full-time.
Coincidentally, our renovation took place the same week as our wedding, which was hectic but also exciting. We wanted to keep the design simple and timeless with clean white finishes, but also make sure it was nice and functional since we’ll likely be here for only a few more years before moving.
In this post, I’ll share the updates we made to the cabinets, countertops, and sink, along with some of my favorite kitchen products that make cooking and content creation even better.
Table of Contents:
The Kitchen Pre-Renovation
Before the renovation, our kitchen wasn’t exactly the ideal setup for a food content creator. Our countertops were a dull speckled gray, made from cheap material, and our cabinets creaked at even the slightest movement. I filmed most of my content on top of our chest freezer, using a 24×24 inch $10 bathroom tile from Home Depot as my backdrop. That little tile created the perfect illusion of crisp white countertops. But in reality, my actual kitchen was far from it.
The chest freezer also had another advantage—it was positioned right in front of our bay window, where the natural light was best. Good lighting is key for food photography and videos, so even though it wasn’t the most spacious setup, it worked. But as I created more content, the lack of counter space became more of a challenge, and I knew it was time for an upgrade.
Another issue was our cabinets. They didn’t go all the way up to the ceiling, which left an awkward gap. Since we live in a small townhome, we didn’t want to waste that space, so we used it for storage—but let’s be honest, it didn’t look great. The kitchen renovation was long overdue, and I was excited to finally create a space that was both functional and beautiful.
The Upgraded Cabinets
For our cabinets, we worked with Excel Cabinets. We couldn’t be happier with their work and the results of the kitchen. We researched several cabinet companies in our areas, and they definitely seemed the most honest and accommodating. Another reason we chose them was their ability to work within our price range while still delivering a high-end look. Kitchen renovations can get expensive fast, but they helped us stay within budget without compromising on quality. We got to customize everything—from the cabinet color to the handles (which were previously non-existent as you can see in the previous pictures). It truly made the space feel like our own. Additionally, the cabinets are soft close which I absolutely LOVE!
One of the biggest upgrades was extending the cabinets all the way up to the ceiling. Before, we had an awkward gap that we used for storage. It didn’t look good. Now, not only does our kitchen feel taller and more seamless, but we also have more enclosed storage without wasted space. Another great change was swapping some of our previously inconvenient cabinets for drawers, which made much more sense for our layout and how we actually use the kitchen.
Beyond the design, the quality of the materials was a huge selling point. The cabinets are made of real wood, which is durable, high-quality, and can withstand moisture. A must in any kitchen. It’s such an upgrade from what we had before, and the added functionality has made cooking, organizing, and filming so much easier.
Our Dekton Countertops
For our countertops, we worked with Cosentino. They’re a global, family-owned Spanish company known for high-quality surfaces for kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and even outdoor spaces. We specifically chose Dekton, one of their signature materials, because it’s incredibly durable and perfect for a cooking-heavy kitchen like ours.
What makes Dekton stand out is its heat resistance, stain resistance, and scratch resistance. These are must-haves for someone who spends a lot of time cooking. In fact, it’s so scratch resistant, that with the extra Dekton material our fabricators had, they made us cutting boards! So kind and thoughtful of them. Unlike other materials that can scorch or discolor if you place a hot pan directly on them, Dekton can handle high temperatures without damage.
It’s also non-porous, meaning it won’t absorb spills or stains. This is a huge plus when working with ingredients like soy sauce, turmeric, or red wine that can stain other surfaces.
Beyond functionality, we love how sleek and modern it looks. It gives our kitchen an elevated feel while being low-maintenance and easy to clean. Since I’m constantly working with food, having a countertop that can withstand daily use without showing wear and tear has been a game-changer.
The New & Improved Sink and Faucet
In the featured photo, you can see our old sink and faucet—it had a silver finish with a stainless steel, double-basin design. The divided sink drove Jeff and me crazy! It felt cramped and made washing dishes so much more difficult than it needed to be.
With our new sink, also pictured, it wasn’t divided in two. It was also significantly deeper, allowing more room for dishes. Probably one of the biggest non-aesthetic changes that I loved was that the sink is under-mounted. An under-mounted sink is installed beneath the countertop, creating a seamless look and making it easier to wipe crumbs and spills directly into the sink without any obstruction.
We worked with a company called Chariot Plumbing Supply & Design for our sink and faucet, and absolutely loved the results. Our faucet is a touch-activated model, allowing us to turn it on and off with just a light tap. We also installed a reverse osmosis system for purified drinking water and added a simple button for a more efficient garbage disposal system.
Because I am also sharing my favorite kitchen products in this blog post… one of my absolute favorites is my SimpleHuman automatic sensor soap pump. I didn’t expect it to become one of my favorite kitchen products, but it’s honestly made dishwashing so much easier. Not having to reach for the dish soap and pump it out by hand is a small convenience that makes a big difference. It sounds silly and definitely like a first-world problem, but it’s truly amazing.
My Top 6 Kitchen Products
Here, I have featured my top 6 kitchen products. It was hard to narrow it down to a top 6 but here it is!:
- Tiger Rice Cooker: Ensures perfectly cooked rice. It has multiple settings for different rice types, and a keep-warm function. You can also cook meat and vegetables with your rice as well! I have the 5.5 cup (makes 10-11 servings of rice).
- 360 Knife Block: My most complimented and eye-catching kitchen product. Convenient, organized storage for your knives, with a rotating design and a built-in sharpening mechanism to keep your blades in top condition.
- SimpleHuman Automatic Soap Dispenser: Touch-free, hygienic dispensing with a sleek, modern design, precise portion control, and a long-lasting rechargeable battery.
- Caraway Pan: Caraway is known for their non-toxic, non-stick cookware. This pan’s surface is made from ceramic, providing even heat distribution and easy cleaning that’s both durable and eco-friendly. My code KYRIETHEFOODIE10 can get you 10% off any of their products.
- Reencle Indoor Kitchen Composter: Efficiently transforms food waste into nutrient-rich compost in a compact, odor-free, and eco-friendly unit. Jeff uses the compost for his garden, but it can also be used for house plants, your lawn, etc.
- Balmuda Toaster Oven: Combines advanced steam technology to perfectly toast, bake, and reheat food, ensuring a crispy exterior and moist interior for an exceptional cooking experience. I love reheating pizza in it because it always tastes fresh!
Bonus Kitchen Product Favorite
SNAP Power outlets are an innovative solution for adding built-in lighting or USB charging to your existing outlets without the need for complicated wiring. These outlet covers are designed to replace standard faceplates, snapping into place easily while drawing power from the existing outlet connections.
What makes SNAP Power outlets especially appealing is their sleek, low-profile design and energy efficiency. The lights provide a soft, automatic nightlight that turns on in the dark, making them ideal for hallways, bathrooms, and kids’ rooms.
With an easy, tool-free installation process, SNAP Power outlets are a smart and practical upgrade for any home.
Kyrié is a half-Japanese food content creator and avid home cook who specializes in Asian cuisine, with a focus on Japanese. She loves developing recipes and sharing approachable yet authentic meals. When she’s not in the kitchen, she’s helping her husband Jeff tend to their garden, or on some artistic venture.
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