before and after, cheap on the fly kitchen makeover

last year

This was under 1,000 if you don’t include all new appliances (we’ll use those in our real remodel). We are planning a total gut of the kitchen, but my kids are small and I work nights and can’t handle the disruption right now. So i did this myself to just see if I could make it livable. I really did not want to spend much money or time on it. It was kinda unplanned. I started with peel and stick on the floor and then did the backsplash. Then decided to just paint the cabinets a fun color. This is by no means my dream kitchen. But it’s definitely a more pleasant place to pack my kids’ lunches. I’m still debating on either painting the counter (though I read you can’t use the counter for awhile) or covering with contact paper.

Cost breakdown-
Appliances- 6000ish
Floor tile- 60
Backsplash- 157
Paint and primer and supplies- 200
Cabinet hardware (still not all on)- 65
Over head light- 130
Can light converter and light- 25+35
Kitchen faucet- 85 + 40 for air gap and garbage disposal button

$797 without appliances. $6797ish including them.

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Comments (17)

sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
last year
I like the cabinet colors! The new appliances make everything look much nicer & up to date.
herbflavor
last year
Well this is refreshing. so glad you had the time to do all this. you sound busy and its a more upbeat spot now. I think I'd leave the counter. I like the bit vintage vibe of that formica block look. Prop up some wood cutting boards or place some small wicker baskets over on the left of stools and you'll be good. dont over do in this space. in older kitchens I tend to think the newer appliance replacement w a cohesive look goes a long way...nice you had the budget for that.
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Nosoccermom, I will give you a couple of tips from my limited experience. Make sure you spend the time to fill holes and dings with wood putty before painting. Each little blemish will show up much more after painting than in the original wood appearance. You need a really good paint brush - my favorite is the Purdy Clear Cut. I don't know why I just liked it in my hand. Also, I used a small fine roller from Seven paints - I did not like how a sponge roller looked. After a year +, the upper cabs still look like new but the lowers definitely have little dings that need to be touched up. So make sure you keep some extra paint! We used a clear silicone(?) on our seeded glass inserts. Hope this helps a little. If it seems daunting - it is daunting. This was a big project IMO. :) Here is a link that might be useful: this old house - how to paint your cabinets
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Have been thinking about your light fixtures. The one over the kitchen area is the equivalent of a ceiling fixture, but on a chain, right? I suggest that it spread sideways more, cover more realestate of the air if that works for you. [I also suggest that there be a piece of art riding high on the walls so that you bring eyes up to that fab vault.] Not sure if you are looking to replace the fixture over the table also. It's the currently unfashionable shiny brass, but it's also "important" enough to be a thing unto itself and something you might not want to replace. A gutsy person might find a way to remove glass, refinish it in a darker finish, and replace glass again, but not sure if that's a good thing. You didn't give us much help on your design direction, so have picked up on the ideas above. I looked at Overstock for a dark finished metal. These are roughly in your affordable range and generally have some drama. This exercise was very educational. And then there's this one in the Open box outlet at Lamps Plus (for $99.86 each, two available): http://www.lampsplusopenbox.com/31902.htm Elk lighting makes this one, which has some movement and drama: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/chandeliers/elk-lighting-5-light-elysburg-chandelier_g290271.html?isku=2693627 There's lots more out there awaiting your spending hours on the Internet...Have fun stormin' the castle.
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Alicia
Original Author
last year
Thanks sultry_jasmine_nights and herbflavor ! The cabinets were definitely the most tedious part. I cleaned, sanded, and primed. Luckily they are slab fronts, so the roller did the trick. I did it over about 5 days, 2-3 hours a day.
wannaknow2
last year
Nice job! You were able to do so much with what you had, as well as bring your vision to fruition.

I am not sure that painting the countertops would be safe, or if they would stand up to being washed as often as they need. If contact paper developed holes from a sharp object or was worn thin or through from being cleaned, you couldn’t fix it without replacing an entire area. Besides being more practical, your current counter looks nice with your new color choices.

You have worked hard and accomplished so much. Now is the time to enjoy it! Thanks for sharing with us.
morz8 - Washington Coast
last year
Your kitchen looks cheerful, fun - you've done a great job for someone so busy.

I'd let the countertops go as is and not attempt a harder-to-clean temporary fix. You've already brightened things up considerably, enjoy your efforts and do not make more upkeep for yourself!
Alicia
Original Author
last year
Thank you! I think you are both right. Trying to update the counter cheaply doesn’t make much sense.
ellaphant
last year
This update is fabulous!! Thanks for sharing! The laminate butcher block countertop looks great in your pics and appears appropriate for the era of the house.
Elaine Kroeger
last year
I like the light fixture with the flooring. A dash of mid-century inspiration!
iroll
last year
You got a lot of bang for your buck, this is a great transformation! I agree with keeping the counter as is for now, it looks like it belongs.
chestnut3
last year
This looks so good! I agree with the others: leave the counters as they are. If I may offer one suggestion it would be to paint the window trim. You could paint it the same color as the cabinets or stain it darker like the dark brown trim on top of the cabinets. But even without doing that you did a great job!
JDMCCL
last year
Great job!!! So colorful
mama goose_gw zn6OH
last year
Very nice, and great mileage for the $1000. That's one of my favorite shades of green for cabinets.
Alicia
Original Author
last year
Thanks all! @chestnut3 I’ve been thinking about that too. The window trim is the same throughout the house. I was debating on painting all the trim in the house white. Not sure though.
mxk3 z5b_MI
last year
Very nice refresh! It's upbeat and cheerier - good job!
ShadyWillowFarm
last year
Love it!!! Very fun and cheerful; I can just see a few kiddos sitting at the bar in their pj’s waiting for pancakes!!
rebunky
last year
Amazing DIY job! Love the green!
Alicia
Original Author
last year
Thanks all! I wasn’t sure if I was wasting money trying to put lipstick on a pig. But it felt nice to have coffee in it this morning! I think I’m feeling proud it! Lol

before and after, cheap on the fly kitchen makeover

Comments (17)

sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)

herbflavor

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before and after, cheap on the fly kitchen makeover

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