Partner Spotlight
Johnson Architecture
Johnson Architecture, founded in 1994, is a full-service firm specializing in architecture, planning, and interior design. With a strong commitment to preservation, JAI is a proud supporter of Knox Heritage, with team member Jimmy Ryan serving on the board of directors and as Vintage Properties committee chair. The firm’s passion for restoration and renovation is evident in its projects, whether residential or commercial, as it strives to honor the past by revitalizing historic spaces for the future.
DESIGNING KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS IN HISTORIC HOMES
Contributed by Jimmy Ryan
When our designers renovate and restore historic homes, a top priority is updating kitchens and bathrooms to meet modern standards. One of the biggest challenges in designing a functional kitchen within a century-old footprint is maximizing wall space, storage, and counter space while working around existing doors, windows, and travel paths. The same challenge applies to bathrooms, as many historic homes were originally built with just one small, cramped bath. A question we often hear is, “How do we make it all fit?”
While every home is unique, and homeowners have their own goals and vision, we rely on a few key design strategies that can be applied to any project. These techniques help create functional kitchens and bathrooms while preserving the home’s historic integrity. To illustrate these ideas, we’ll use a modest 1920’s Craftsman bungalow as a case study.
1. REASSESS DOORS, CASED OPENINGS, AND WINDOWS
One of the simplest ways to improve a kitchen’s functionality is by evaluating whether existing doors, cased openings, or windows still serve the space. Small adjustments—such as sliding a door, reversing its swing, or removing a redundant opening—can dramatically enhance flow and efficiency.
In the case of the Craftsman bungalow, the original kitchen layout had been heavily modified over the past century. Initially, it was separated from the dining room by a solid wall with a single doorway.
During the renovation, removing multiple layers of old flooring revealed evidence of a built-in hutch that once occupied this wall, facing the dining room. If the wall had remained intact, we would have explored preserving the separate kitchen layout to maintain the home’s historic integrity.
However, since the homeowners wanted a more open floor plan, we identified a doorway from the adjacent hallway that was no longer necessary. Closing off this opening created a continuous 14.5-foot wall — ideal for anchoring the kitchen with floor-to-ceiling storage, a sink, a dishwasher, and modern appliances such as a built-in oven and a recessed refrigerator.
Because the house is clad in brick, relocating exterior windows and doors wasn’t feasible. Additionally, the existing kitchen window had a low sill, making it impractical for countertop placement. To optimize the layout, we slightly shifted a cased opening into the laundry room, creating additional cabinetry space while maintaining a smooth transition between rooms. This shift allowed for a freestanding pantry cabinet, centered on a large island. To further define the kitchen and dining areas, we designed a large, cased opening, allowing each space to retain its distinct identity while still providing the openness modern families desire.
2. BORROW UNUSED SPACE FROM ADJACENT ROOMS
When evaluating an existing floor plan, take inventory of wasted space in adjacent rooms. Often, borrowing a few square feet from a neighboring space can significantly improve functionality while maintaining the historic integrity of the home.
In our bungalow case study, there was only one original bathroom, which had been modified multiple times over the years. Though the original cast-iron tub had been in place since the 1930s or ’40s, it likely replaced an earlier clawfoot tub. As a result, the 66-inch tub left an awkward gap between the bathroom and kitchen—just enough space to borrow for a full-depth refrigerator that appears to be counter-depth. Since full-depth refrigerators are more affordable and offer more cubic feet of space than counter-depth models, this was a practical and cost-effective solution.
The main bath’s layout also felt cramped at the entry, with a pedestal sink providing minimal counter space and storage. While incorporating a new closet in the adjacent bedroom, we were able to borrow five square feet for a toilet alcove, making the bathroom feel larger and more functional. This adjustment also created an opportunity to add a built-in bookshelf to the bedroom, positioned behind the toilet alcove. Additionally, reversing the bathroom door swing and positioning a larger vanity to the right further improved the layout, keeping the toilet out of sight upon entry while maximizing usability.
3. RECONFIGURE SERVICE SPACES TO MAXIMIZE USABILITY
Many historic homes feature closets that are too shallow for functional hanging storage or have other outdated service spaces that no longer meet modern needs. Reconfiguring these areas can unlock valuable square footage for more essential functions.
In the Craftsman bungalow, two back-to-back closets and a narrow stairwell leading to a partial basement were no longer an efficient use of space. Originally, in the early 20th century, the house was served by a coal-burning furnace, requiring manual refilling and easy indoor access. However, since the home now has a gas-burning furnace and the basement is accessible from the exterior, the homeowners opted to reclaim this 72- square-foot area to create a primary suite bathroom and walk-in closet.
Since removing the stairwell required restructuring the floor, a zero-entry curbless shower was easily integrated into the design. Additionally, an original casement window from the main bath was repurposed within the new bathroom floor plan. To maintain historic integrity, original doors and door frames were also salvaged and reused for the new closet and bathroom, ensuring a seamless integration of these updated spaces.
By keeping these changes within the confines of existing service areas, the historic integrity of the adjacent bedrooms and hallway remained intact. Additionally, the wide hallway allows for future flexibility, accommodating a new stairwell that could one day lead down to the basement or up to a future attic renovation.
4. REPURPOSE HISTORIC ELEMENTS TO TELL A STORY
An overarching design strategy in historic renovations is the reuse of original elements, whether salvaged from the renovated home or sourced from architectural salvage shops.
In the Craftsman bungalow, special care was taken when removing doors and trim, ensuring they could be reused elsewhere in the home. During the main bath renovation, an existing medicine cabinet was uncovered. Though it wasn’t salvageable, it inspired the incorporation of a similar built-in medicine cabinet found at a local salvage shop.
To seamlessly integrate the kitchen into the home’s historic fabric, we envisioned the island as a piece of furniture. By chance, at a local salvage shop, the homeowner discovered historic woodwork that had once been used in booths at a saloon called “Patrick Sullivan’s.” These panels were repurposed into the sides and back of the freestanding kitchen island, weaving local history into the home’s new design.
Finally, when it came to the bathroom vanity, the homeowner chose to repurpose a 100-year-old dressing vanity from Scotland. The oak top was transformed into a lower shelf, while a remnant piece of Nero Marquina marble was paired with a vessel sink for a custom vanity top. The original Scottish dressing mirror was also incorporated as the bathroom mirror, adding a unique and historically rich focal point to the renovated space.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Updating kitchens and bathrooms in historic homes presents unique challenges, but with thoughtful design strategies, it’s possible to create highly functional spaces while preserving the character and history that make these homes special. By reassessing existing openings, borrowing underutilized space, reconfiguring service areas, and creatively repurposing original elements, homeowners can enjoy modern conveniences without compromising their home’s historic charm.