A Budget Friendly DIY Kitchen Update

Remodeling and updating a kitchen can take a lot of work and even more money but I was able to update my kitchen in a few weekends and on a great budget.  Walking into my kitchen now feels like a whole new space!  Sharing my budget friendly DIY kitchen update so you can do the same!!  

A Budget Friendly DIY Kitchen Update

Earlier this year, I set my intentions of sprucing up a few spaces in my home that I felt needed my own design after going through a divorce.  The areas that I really wanted to focus on were my bedroom and my kitchen…then COVID hit.  In March, with the help of my mom, I was able to do a budget friendly weekend remodel of my bedroom.  I am so thankful for the amazing update we did on my bedroom, it is truly a space I can rest and relax in now.  

Up next on my list of home updates was my kitchen.  This house was built in 1981 and the kitchen has not been touched except for the dark red paint job, new light fixtures and brown/sand counter top paint.  I knew I wanted to brighten up this space and give it a good Farmhouse chic look.  

 

The Before and After: My DIY Wish List

Before I started my project I knew I should write down my end result wish list.  I knew I wanted a lighter counter top but not too white, white paint on the wall and white cabinets.  I also knew I wanted to update the hardware on the cabinets and remove the old blinds from the window.  

Before jumping into the harder parts of this DIY project, I painted over the dark red paint on the walls of the kitchen.  I painted a crisp white – it took three coats of paint to get that red out of the kitchen! While this was a simple step, this step really helped open the space and add some brightness to the kitchen.  I was excited to jump to the next step!  

Updating Your Kitchen Counter Tops 

Years ago, we painted our brown laminate counter tops with the Giani Counter top paint in Sicilian Sand.  This paint kit was super easy to use and updated our kitchen overnight and it really held up well.  I knew that I wanted to update the counter tops again but in a white kit.  I ordered the Giani Counter Top Paint Kit in White Diamond.  

The whole idea of this kit is to give your counter tops the look of granite without the price of granite.  People were always so surprised when I told them that our counter tops were painted!  The kit works!  For $80.00 I could not complain!  Keep this in mind when doing your budget friendly kitchen update!

This kit is super easy to use.  Simply tape off the counter top using painters tape and follow the instructions.  I am no artist so when you get nervous about what your painting will look like, do keep that in mind…I am not a painter or an artist and I believe my counter tops turned out great.   Giani Countertop Paint Kits include everything you need to upgrade your kitchen or vanity, and paint your counter tops to look like granite.

Steps For Using Giani Counter Top Paint Kit:

1. Prep counter tops – clean and dry and tape
2. Paint on black primer – let dry
3. Using sponge and the 3 different paints create your granite pattern – let dry 
4. Roll on Glitter Top coat – let dry 

SO EASY!!!  And because you are using a sponge paint technique you can cover any mistakes you might notice.  

 

White the color of the counter tops does not exactly match what the box shows, I am pleased with it.  The addition of the blueish grey tones really complemented the space in my opinion.  If you are looking for a more white counter top you will need to limit the grey paint and use more of the white.  

Once the counter tops were done I knew that the next task would be the hardest and longest – cabinets!!  For this step, I asked my mom for help again.  We tackled this job while the kids were with their dad on a little staycation in the mountains for a week.  This allowed me to put the items from my cabinets in the living room and not have to worry about the kids while completely making a mess in my kitchen!  

Updating Your Kitchen Cabinets

I did a lot of research on the best way to simply paint your kitchen cabinets and one of the biggest complaints that people had was the sanding of the cabinets.  It takes a lot of time and energy, I was not excited about that part.  But then I found the rustoleum cabinet transformations kit at Home Depot!  

No sanding necessary.  Instead there is a step that deglosses the cabinets.  This cleans the cabinets but also removes some of the gloss and stain from the cabinets.  Way faster than sanding!  Since we are talking about a budget friendly kitchen update this particular cabinet paint kit was $85.00…I did end up needing to use 1 1/2 kits due to the dark finish on my cabinets.  

Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets

Using this kit was fantastic.  My only complaint was that I needed to do 3 coats rather than the 2 in the instructions which meant I needed to open the second kit I bought.  

Steps For Using Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations Kit

1. Wash cabinets, drawers and frames with soap and water.  
2. Number each drawer and door. 
3. Remove all hardware and remove drawers and doors. 
4. Use the deglosser on frame, drawers and cabinet doors. 
5. Paint 2-3 coats of paint on frame, drawers and cabinet doors – pay attention to dry time.  
6. Carefully paint on a light coat of the top coat.  
7. Add new hardware and secure doors. 

As you can see, there are a lot of steps but if you follow the directions you will complete this transformation with no issues.  A lot of reviews said this was a weekend project but due to the drying time I do not believe that is possible.  Give yourself some extra time to complete this project.  My mom and I came up with a plan of attack before starting and I think that is the best thing to do.  Every kitchen is different, there is no right or wrong way to do this but to maximize your time and space it is a benefit to come up with a plan before taking down those cabinets!  

Tips When Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets

I am not an expert but I think after doing a project like this, it can be helpful to share my thoughts and tips.  

• Do one section at a time – we started with all of the bottom cabinets and drawers first. 
• Find a space that you can spread out – we did all of the painting (except for the frame) in my garage.  We used new drop cloths to make sure we had a clean, dust free space. 
• Take your time when painting – you will see brush strokes. 
• If you plan on replacing hinges – it might be easier to spray paint or paint your old hinges rather than trying to find new ones.  I spray painted the hinges but bought new drawer pulls.  
• This is not a weekend project…it took a full 4 days of work.  The dry time and flipping cabinet doors is what takes the longest.  
• Invest in good paint brushes. 
• Create a rack that your cabinets can rest on – we used old pieces of 2x4s – this keeps the doors lifted off of the ground. 

The Finished Product!

Once those cabinets and new hardware were up in the kitchen I was in love.  The space is so bright and looks super modern and updated.  I love the contrast between the white cabinets and the grey/blue counter tops. I know my mom and I were exhausted after this project but man, I have to say, we did pretty fantastic!  

Having this new space gives me a lot of joy.  I love waking up every morning and walking into my kitchen to make my coffee and I know that this space will lead to even better food and recipe projects on my website as well.  No more yellow and orange glow in those photos!! 

Let’s Talk About Money

A typical kitchen remodel can cost thousands of dollars.  I did not have that kind of money to achieve my updated, bright farmhouse inspired kitchen but with less than $1000.00 I created a great updated space!!  Yes, it took a few weeks to complete but it was doable and there was only one week that my kitchen was not usable.  

Let’s break it down!

Wall Paint – $30.00
Counter Top Paint Kit – $80.00
Cabinet Paint Kit – $170.00 (two kits)
New Hardware – $90.00
Random Supplies – $100.00
New Kitchen Mats – $45.00
Canisters – $35.00
Utensil Holder – $15.00

Total Spent = $565.00

Next Projects?

For 2020, I believe I am maxed out on projects but 2021 is looking pretty fun too!  

• A patio addition in the backyard
• Fixing the downstairs bathroom ceiling – pipe leaking that led to damage.  SUPER!
• Painting the living room and getting new couches – painting the living room also means painting all of the hallways and stairwell!  
• Having the outside of the house painted. 

 

WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AT HOME THESE DAYS?

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