Partial Kitchen Renovation Moodyville, North Vancouver
A partial kitchen renovation that kept the layout, upper cabinets and appliances, then transformed the room with new lower cabinet fronts, white quartz countertops, a full-height slab backsplash and new lighting.
- Cabinet refacing
- Quartz countertops
- Slab backsplash
- Lighting upgrade
Project story
A partial kitchen renovation in Moodyville, North Vancouver
The homeowners liked their layout, their upper cabinets and their appliances. What they wanted was a brighter, calmer kitchen. The original warm oak lowers and black quartz with heavy white veining made the room feel darker than the rest of their open living space.
Instead of tearing everything out, we kept what was working and replaced what wasn't. New lower cabinet doors and drawer fronts in a light, whitewashed woodgrain set the new tone. White quartz countertops replaced the black stone, with a waterfall end on the peninsula and a full-height slab backsplash behind the range and counters.
Lighting changed the room as much as the finishes. The old track lighting came down. Recessed pot lights went in overhead, LED strips now light the counters from under the upper cabinets, and a new pendant hangs over the dining table. We also built new cabinets on the back of the peninsula, adding storage facing the dining area without changing the layout.
A partial renovation like this keeps plumbing, appliances and most cabinetry in place, which is why it can change a kitchen's look so much without the cost and disruption of a full gut. This project came in at $24,000–$28,000 and took 10 days on site. For a complete kitchen, see our kitchen renovations in North Vancouver.
What we did
- New lower cabinet doors and drawer fronts in a light woodgrain finish, with the existing upper cabinets kept
- New cabinets built on the back of the peninsula for extra storage
- White quartz countertops replacing black quartz
- Waterfall end on the peninsula
- Full-height white slab backsplash
- Track lighting replaced with recessed pot lights
- Under-cabinet LED lighting
- New pendant light over the dining table
- New cabinet hardware and an integrated dishwasher panel
Before and after
Same layout, a completely different kitchen
The footprint, the range and the sink stayed where they were. The change comes from new cabinet fronts, lighter stone, a continuous backsplash and better light.
The peninsula
Before
AfterThe range wall
Before
AfterGallery
Explore the finished Moodyville kitchen
The neighbourhood
Kitchen renovations in Moodyville and Lower Lonsdale
Moodyville sits on the City of North Vancouver's waterfront, just east of Lower Lonsdale. It grew up around a sawmill founded in the 1860s, one of the earliest settlements on Burrard Inlet. Today it's a quieter residential neighbourhood of newer townhomes and low-rise buildings, a short walk from the shops, restaurants and transit of Lower Lonsdale.
Moodyville Park
The neighbourhood's green space on the east side, a few minutes from this project.
The Spirit Trail
The walking and cycling route that runs along the North Shore waterfront, just south of the neighbourhood.
The Shipyards and Lower Lonsdale
Restaurants, shops and the waterfront plaza a short walk west, along with North Vancouver's brewery district.
Lonsdale Quay and the SeaBus
The public market and the SeaBus to downtown Vancouver, a short trip from Moodyville.
Many homes in Moodyville and Lower Lonsdale are newer, with good bones and builder-grade or dated finishes. That makes them a strong fit for a partial renovation: keep the layout and the working parts, then upgrade cabinet fronts, countertops, backsplash and lighting. For bigger changes, explore our custom kitchen cabinets or our guide to kitchen renovation cost in Vancouver.
FAQ
Partial kitchen renovation questions
Common questions from North Vancouver homeowners who want a new kitchen without starting from scratch.
What is a partial kitchen renovation?
A partial kitchen renovation keeps the parts of a kitchen that still work, such as the layout, plumbing, appliances or some cabinetry, and replaces the rest. In this Moodyville kitchen, that meant new lower cabinet fronts, new countertops and backsplash, new lighting and extra storage, while the upper cabinets and appliances stayed.
Is a partial renovation cheaper than a full kitchen renovation?
Usually, yes. Because the layout, plumbing and many cabinets stay in place, there is less demolition, less rough-in work and less new millwork. This Moodyville project came in at $24,000–$28,000 and took 10 days on site, compared with $40,000–$80,000+ for a typical complete Vancouver kitchen. Every project is priced on its actual scope.
Can you add storage without changing the layout?
Often, yes. In this project we built new cabinets on the back of the peninsula, adding storage facing the dining area without moving any walls, plumbing or appliances.
Do you renovate kitchens in Moodyville and Lower Lonsdale?
Yes. QUAY renovates kitchens across North Vancouver, including Moodyville, Lower Lonsdale, Central and Upper Lonsdale, Lynn Valley, Edgemont and Deep Cove.
Is the work warrantied?
Yes. Every QUAY renovation is backed by a 365-day workmanship warranty.
Planning a kitchen update in North Vancouver?
Tell us what's working and what isn't. We'll help you decide whether a partial renovation or a full kitchen makes more sense for your home and budget.