Before and After: HGTV’s “Flip or Flop” Transformed This Awkward Space Into an Airy, Beach-Themed Kitchen

When you live near the water and have the views to enjoy it, you’ve got to take advantage. In the latest episode of HGTV’s “Flip or Flop,” Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack stumble across a large property that needed a lot of work — but with promising oceanfront views, they took a chance by putting emphasis on the surrounding area and executing a beachy, boho-themed renovation.

Located in San Clemente, CA, the 2,700-square-foot home had five bedrooms and three baths, but the kitchen and living room area was a major reno priority. Upon entering the home, Moussa and Haack gravitated toward the floor to ceiling windows that revealed their oceanfront jackpot, but when they backtracked, the duo noticed the red and gold accents that adorned the space in all its dated glory.

The living room was almost a blank slate, minus the red walls and the unleveled flooring (which ended up costing a big chunk of change). Additionally, Moussa and Haack were pleasantly surprised when they discovered the beams were removable that made it possible to raise the ceilings, which removed any obstacle from blocking the oceanic views.

To put further focus on the outdoors, Haack played up a beach-focused style throughout the home, which shined in the living room through the neutral furnishings, wooden coffee table, boho-styled lighting fixture, and brand new hardwood flooring that dabbled into the kitchen.

The kitchen, on the other hand, was not as much of a blank canvas. Instead, it had an awkward assembly of mismatched upper and lower cabinets, which prevented flow from existing in the space (and we all know how important that is in a kitchen).

The team ripped out all the kitchen cabinets and added lower natural wood cabinets that complemented the floors, with a kitchen island to match. Instead of adding new upper cabinets, Haack opted for open shelving that played up the theme while creating an airy vibe. They installed quartz slab walls and countertops that brought texture into the space, then added a few rattan lighting fixtures to complete the beachy feel.

For watch the other room transformations and the renovation process at large, catch the episode on HGTV or Discovery+.

“Flip or Flop” airs every Thursday at 8/9 central on HGTV and Discovery+.