Madeira · Greater Cincinnati
Most Madeira homes were built before 1970, many in the 1950s. Plan a kitchen that makes a compact post-war layout work for the way you live now.
Homes & local context
Madeira’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan, adopted that August, says the vast majority of the city’s housing was built before 1970, with a core share from the “production 1950’s.” The 2019 plan put figures on it: 84% built before 1970 and 38% during the 1950s, in homes it called “typically efficient in size.” It also counted residential alteration and repair permits rising from 35 in 2016 to 69 in 2018 while demolitions fell from 34 to 21. The 2023 update reports that demolitions have slowed dramatically since.
Local source: City of Madeira · Comprehensive Plan, adopted August 2023 ↗
Our approach
If yours is one of Madeira’s 1950s houses, we’d begin with what the original plan gives you: the kitchen’s footprint, the walls around it and the rooms it touches. A compact kitchen can gain a great deal from one well-chosen change, such as opening to the dining area, moving the refrigerator or borrowing a closet. We’d look first at what the room can do within its existing walls, then at what a small bump-out or a reworked rear addition would add, so you can see what each step buys before deciding how far to go. If the house has already been enlarged or replaced, the conversation starts from that plan instead.
Design considerations
Use these starting points to explore your own room. We’ll help you compare the options with a plan and estimate.
In an efficient 1950s plan, every wall is already doing something. Full-height pantry cabinets, deep drawers in place of base shelves and a counter-depth refrigerator can recover storage without moving a wall. Decide early where the table or stools will go; in a small room, seating and circulation want the same few feet.
Opening the kitchen to the dining or living room changes how a compact house feels, and it also removes a wall of cabinets. A wide framed opening or a peninsula can connect the rooms while keeping upper storage on the remaining walls. Any wall you plan to move belongs in the permit conversation from the start.
A rear bump-out of a few feet can make room for an island or an eating area the original footprint cannot hold. Tie the new floor, ceiling and window heights to the older part of the house so the kitchen reads as one room. Setbacks limit how far out you can go, so look at the city’s tables first.
Scope & investment
In a 1950s house, scope usually turns on three questions: whether walls move, whether plumbing and gas stay where they are, and whether the room grows. Settle those before choosing finishes. Wiring, plumbing and subfloors of that age can need attention once the old cabinets come out, so leave room for what the walls reveal.
| Project level | Planning range | Scope to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $50,000–$70,000 | A fresh, functional update with practical cabinet and countertop selections. Best suited to a more straightforward project. |
| Mid-range | $80,000–$100,000 | More flexibility in cabinetry, finishes, storage, and design details, with room for selected layout changes. |
| Signature | $125,000+ | A more extensive renovation with greater customization and construction scope. |
These are approximate planning ranges, not fixed packages or neighborhood averages. Appliances and flooring are included in these planning ranges. Your room, selections, construction and any additional work determine the quote. We’ll confirm current pricing and inclusions during design review.
Design fees are separate from cabinetry, countertops, installation, and project management. We’ll explain the scope and fees in your Design Agreement before work begins.
Prepare for a design conversation
Measure the kitchen and note which walls are original, if you know. Photos of the adjoining rooms and the back of the house help, as do drawings from any past addition. Tell us what you would keep about the house as it is.
East Main can help with a full kitchen renovation, design and materials alongside your own contractor, or cabinetry and countertops for a focused project. We’ll clarify the scope and responsibilities before you order.
Local sources reviewed November 10, 2026. Historical sources retain their own dates; the planning suggestions are East Main’s editorial guidance.
Nearby guides: Indian Hill, Montgomery, Madisonville
Meet your designer
Start with a free design consultation to discuss your goals, inspiration, general budget, and whether East Main is the right fit. Detailed design follows under a paid Design Agreement.
Monday–Friday, 10 AM–5 PM
Walk-ins are welcome, with staff available to help. An appointment is recommended for personal design attention.
Explore the Oakley showroom ↗By appointment only
Showroom visits are by appointment only. Our designers set aside uninterrupted time for your project.
Explore the Cheviot showroom ↗