Kitchen Refresh On A Budget

Small cost +  a little time and muscle = fresh updated look!   We went from a space that was sad and depressing to a bright and cheery kitchen that I now enjoy being in.

Our small 1950 kitchen when we moved in last year...  tired cabinets, beige tile and sparkly beige laminate.  We chose to take on some other more necessary  remodel projects for the first few years,  and since the kitchen is basically in good shape that remodel will be last.  It will be a total gut job eventually,  but not for at least 4 or 5 years.  In the meantime I need to at least want to be in there!

Quite honestly, I was cooking less and just didn't like to be in there, so it was a no-brainer to at least do some easy low cost updates to make it a space to enjoy.  The first step was the counter top update last spring. You can read the blog post about that process here.  

I purchased this tile paint product online and although it was super smelly (open the windows!), it only took two coats to make the beige tile and grout bright white!

Next was new hardware.  Cup pulls for the drawers, for a little cottage/industrial feel. Knobs for the cabinets doors meant filling in the current handle screw holes with wood filler.  That process took all of 5 minutes to fill them in, and an hour later sanded them smooth.  So easy!

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 The final change that made the biggest update bang for our buck was the cabinet doors! I removed the flat panel doors, then measured and marked for the opening that was going to be cut out.  I did add a small piece of trim inside the opening edge for a more finished look, and then used clear silicone to attach the glass before reinstalling the doors.  The cost here was less than $10 a door! Lastly, all the cabinets got a fresh coat of paint.

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It's finally a cheerful place to grab a glass of wine and do some cooking!  Not depressing at all, and for a very minimal cost.  The most expensive part of the process was the countertop product, but that being said, the entire process ~ paint, countertops, hardware, and glass was only around $400.   Even with the lack of counter space, and doors that won't quite close, this will last me for quite some time!