The kitchen may be considered the heart of the home, but in my case, it’s also at the heart of this DIY renovation. When I moved in, EVERYthing needed to be cleaned, upgraded, and replaced in some way. This whole kitchen renovation has been years in the making. Nearly everything I did in this room was done for the first time, with no prior experience. But sometimes all it takes is a little imagination, discovering some nifty new tools, and some elbow grease.
And sometimes, it also involves throwing tools or crying on the floor in frustration. But I got up and kept going, because that’s what’s important.
The end result feels like a breath of fresh air, with stainless steel appliances and a classic gray and white palette, allowing the natural light from a singular window to bring warmth and charm to this small kitchen layout.
Before: The dated kitchen- 1980s brown and yellow
I started by taking out the old and replacing with new appliances. The hood was replaced with a microwave installed over the range, and the upper cabinets were moved up to accommodate the size I needed. Later, the cabinets were painted in a two-tone style (white uppers, gray lowers), the floor replaced with laminate, and the trim painted white. The countertop was replaced with walnut butcher block, while the sink, window, and faucet got an upgrade as well. I also added a subway tile backsplash and a DIY striped faux Roman shade to the mix, and things are looking much cleaner, happier, and updated.
Kitchen makeover progress
white and gray cabinetry posts
- Cabinet Paint Prep and Color Scheme
- How to Prime Kitchen Cabinets (without Sanding!)
- Re-Hanging Cabinet Doors (without helping hands)
butcher block counter posts
- Adding the butcher block, parts 1 and 2
- How to Treat Butcher Block Countertops
- How to Protect Butcher Block Counters During Projects
tiled backsplash posts
- How to Prep Walls for Adding a Backsplash
- How to Install a Tile Backsplash
- What to Do with a Window Ledge When Tiling
- Extending Wall Outlets
coffee maker area posts
While there is still more yet to do, such as adding cabinet hardware and lighting fixtures, crown molding, and more, this room has come a very long way… enough to decorate this Christmas!
Kitchen window at Christmas
Other Key Posts in Kitchen Makeover History:
- Painting the original laminate countertop (as an experiment… and here’s what it looked like months later)
- Replacing the floor
- Fixing the Drywall
- Finishing the Wall Paint!
- Kitchen Details: The Sink
- Kitchen Details: The Faucet
For even more kitchen projects, click here.
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