Small Budget Kitchen Remodel Before and After
If the budget doesn’t allow for a full fledged kitchen renovation, have no fear! This small budget kitchen remodel before and after shows you can make over a kitchen – and make it fabulous! – for under $200.
How to do a Kitchen Remodel Before & After On a (tiny!) Budget
1. Take a good look at how the “Before” looks and functions. Here are the details of our kitchen space before the budget friendly remodel:
The big kitchen space in our old historic farmhouse had lots of potential when we first moved in. The view out the window of the ocean was breathtaking. But inside? It looked and felt sad. Just. sad.
The layout was awkward, old plywood cabinetry was perched on top of newer European cupboards, and there was wasted space everywhere.
2. Do what you need to do to create a more pleasant space while you figure out more major updates needed. For us, painting the old kitchen’s walls was a quick, temporary fix
Although it was a strange hodge podge of elements, we first painted the upper cupboards white, the walls candy apple green, and lived with that for a few years.
And for those of you who wonder who picked out that wild color – it was me, and I loved it at the time!;) The gray sky weather really affected the paint colors inside the house, and that color that looks real wild in the pictures actually felt very cheerful and pleasant to me in real life.
3. Sometimes REMOVING something from the room can make it better, and this budget friendly kitchen remodel started by removing cupboards!
One night on a whim, we made the decision to go ahead renovating this space with as much creativity as we could come up with ~ since our budget was basically non-existent!:) It started by ripping out some of the old plywood cupboards.
Once the cupboards were ripped out, we knew we were committed! Throughout the entire process we tried to focus on making the most of what was already there, re-purposing items we already had, and sourcing out specific items we needed at thrift stores.
Here are the inexpensive kitchen make over ideas included in this kitchen makeover remodel:
1.We removed the doors on the upper cupboards and added shelves and crown molding above them.
The largest part of the budget ($100) was spent on building materials for the upper cabinets. it was definitely a high impact change for low money! We think it was money well spent.
2.Painting out the wood strips of the European cabinet doors and adding handles made them much more modern and up-to-date looking.
Rather than rip them out, we gave the melamine kitchen cabinets a makeover.
3. We searched out thrift stores and sale items for creative ways to DIY elements we needed – like a light fixture above the sink.
This thrift store light was spray painted to give an old farmhouse feel to the space. A really inexpensive blanket from Ikea became curtains for the sliding door and a small curtain above the kitchen sink.
4. By sourcing out discount cabinets, we were able to utilize former un-used square footage.
On the other side of the room used to sit an empty wall. Then we added a very functional (but admittedly strange!) concoction of cupboards (without doors!) that we scored at the local ReStore.
4. Unusual and “out of the box” ideas – like fabric cabinet curtains, gave the space a handmade farmhouse feel – and didn’t cost much money!
(Click here to see how to make these cabinet curtains!)
5. Thick, beadboard wallpaper created an interesting back splash idea that tied in with the overall look of coastal farmhouse.
Here are instructions of how we installed the Beadboard wallpaper .
6.A fresh coat of Benjamin Moore’s Gray Cashmere paint completed the look of this budget friendly kitchen remodel.
Here’s a reminder of how the kitchen looked when we started (partway through):
And here it is now! :
We absolutely love it, and encourage others not to be scared to add budget friendly changes to spaces you don’t like. It’s amazing how a few well placed changes can completely revive a worn out old space.
Other Budget Friendly DIY Home Decor ideas for a Kitchen Remodel:
Every little piece of this process was documented here on the blog. For all the details & tutorials, click on the links below.
From Black to White ā A Dresser Makeover
DIY Kitchen Curtains
Painting European Cupboard Doors
Restoration Hardware Inspired Pendant Light
Old Window Message Board
Fabric Cupboard Doors
Beadboard (Wallpaper!)
Paint Colors:
- Walls: Designer Gray from General Paint (a close match to Benjamin Mooreās Gray Cashmere)
- Backs of cupboards: Stratton Blue from Benjamin Moore
- Trim and cupboards: Cloud White from Benjamin Moore
Other Kitchen Remodel Posts
- The 7 Day Kitchen Makeover
- Here are some options for the best paint color for small kitchen
- Adding kitchen storage with clever storage ideas
- Make your own pendant light for above the sink
- Our current before and after small kitchen remodel
Would you like to do a room makeover in your house, but don’t know where to start or how to do it? I created a FREE course with you in mind. Click below to find out more and join today!
If you like this budget friendly makeover, then you just might want to check out this one, too!
What a great after! The new color is so nice and that crown molding is awesome. I love your open shelves!
Wow. this is a big difference and it looks wonderful. I love the change up of where the fridge was to where it is now and the use of the bureaux there in the white paint looks fabulous.
Oh my goodness, I love it all. I think you have done a wonderful job. i would love to have you come and write a special guest post about this at Remodelaholic. If you are interested please elt me know!
Thanks,
Cassity
This is beautiful!!! Great transformation! I thought my $1,200.00 remodel was a deal! (I did have to replace cabinets, and bought a dishwasher and garbage disposal, that I didn't have before!!!)
I guest posted on Remodelaholic, too! Congrats!
Happy Blogging!
~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
http://www.shabbyfrenchcottage.com
You did a FANTASTIC job and should be proud of your efforts – well done, the kitchen looks beautiful!!!
Wow~ it is absolutely beautiful and on a budget! I love the open cupboards and all the details you added and the soft blue is just beautiful! Would love if you would come share this at Feathered Nest Friday š
Nice job. I love a cost-conscious remodel. It shows vision and hard work.
You are brave to have open shelving. It's a great look.
How do you get away with not having a range hood? Downdraft?
Thanks for commenting on my blog.
The wainscotting is so beachy!! I too have a very large clock in my kitchen. It's funny because not only does the stove have a clock but the microwave does too. It's all for the love of style!! Great job!
What a great transformation for such a great price. Everything looks beautiful, I love it!
Great job!!!
I love the color, the wainscoting, and curtains! I'm your newest follower. I hope you can visit me sometime soon!
I love that you just took off the cupboard doors. This is stunning!!
This is just a fantastic transformation! I remember seeing your darling curtain cupboards and it is so neat to be able to see the rest of the makeover. Everything is just lovely and we are so glad you shared it at Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa
Oops, only half my comment showed up!
Love the changes to your kitchen. You did a great job unifying the look and updating it. We have those same cabinets in our basement, my parents' former in-law suite. Now I am inspired to take the doors off the top and painting the lowers to hide the oak trim. Do you mind sharing your paint brand/type? Thanks so much.
Lesson learned, I should check the links BEFORE asking the question. I just read the post describing the painting of the cabinets. Thanks!
You must be so happy to have completed this. I love the cornice you added above the overhead shelves. Really gives it a custom made look. Well done. Kylie
Congratulations that is amazing.
Best Carolyn
Wow, wow, wow! This looks SOOO much better. Great job! And by the way, love those skirts š
It looks awesome! I'm really impressed! Thanks so much for sharing!
Your hard work and vision paid off … this is amazing! It's to light and fresh … love the skirts and great shelving!
Wow, not only this this super economical, it's so pretty! I love the open cabs, skirted areas, board and batten… and the sign is an awesome eye draw! Beautiful!
Shared this on FJI Facebook for SNS 84. š
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funky-Junk-Interiors/175378011140#!/photo.php?fbid=10150265440041141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater
Donna
great job and done on such a small budget. I'm impressed.
Great job! . I am just finishing up the decorating projects before I share any pictures. Good to know it does end.
Wow I love your kitchen! It is similar to the look I would like to go for.
Can I ask you some questions? Do you have your food located somewhere else? Was the beadboard wallpaper the paintable kind? We found some on clearance at Lowe's and I picked it up but haven't used it yet as I can concerned about the cleanability of it… I have to be able to clean the surface really well.
Once again… great kitchen!!!
What a fabulous makeover! I just love the new, breezy look. And those skirted cabinets… attached to the drawers? BRILLIANT!
(found you through Funky Junk Interiors Facebook post)
Rita Joy, this is fabulous. Inspirational that anything is possible with a bit of imagination and a can of paint!
great job!! love the open crisp feel. and the price tag!!
Love the countertops and the open shelving! The pendant light and curtain are perfect for the space. Love the color behind the shelving also!
Following from Funky Junk Interiors hope you can stop by, I linked up also!
Megan
Love the color – my bedroom is painted in Gray Cashmere!
Amazing job! Very inspiring.
Maybe will even inspire my husband to help me tackle some of the projects on my endless list š
What an inviting space! So impressive! Well done. Enjoy the room and all your hard work! =)
I can't believe this transformation!!! My kitchen is very much like yours and ive been wanting to remove all the upper cabinet doors…where do you store all your not so pretty things like canned goods and cereals?
The tops that were added to the cupboards make a huge difference along with the painted wood backsplash. Nothing like a DIY project to make a world of difference with a small budget!
Wow so amazing!!! It looks like a major $$ transformation. I'm blown away that you did it for so little.
All that hard work paid off, your kitchen looks BEAUTIFUL!! Martina
Your kitchen is beautiful! What a difference! I know you're loving it!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia š
Great job on the finished Kitchen – it looks fresh, clean perfectly beach cottage. Congrats!
You did an amazing job! I really love the style too. It's so airy and bright.
I love your low budget makeover of your kitchen. I believe there is a lot you can do to a kitchen without spending a lot of money and you proved it. I'm working on a little redo of my own in my kitchen. Your's is very inspiring.
gorgeous! truly a whole different room.
Great job!
TaƱa
Your kitchen looks amazing! I'd love to add it to the inspiration galleries on my site and include you in a feature post. Let me know if you're interested!
Amazing how such small changes and make such a big difference. Good job!!
I saved $$$ by shopping for my new Kitchen Faucets at http://www.homebuilderwholesale.com. saved me a bundle.
Great job! What an inspirational room. Ingenuity and thriftiness! Beautiful.
I love the open shelves, beautiful kitchen!
It looks great!!!! I just saw that Miss Mustard Seed featured it- what an honor for you! š Congrats!
Great Job! I also have light blue walls with white cabinets in my kitchen. I just love the airy freshness of your blue! Interestingly, like your blog name, I used a color by PPG called "Harbor Mist". š
WOW! your kitchen gives me hope! my husband i are currently making plans to update our own kitchen…and a $159 makeover sounds right up my alley! GREAT job! i'm adding you to my feeder to see what else you come up with. :o)
Great job! I love it so much I'm featuring it today on my blog. Thanks for linking and be sure to stop by for a button!
Wow! Great job using what you have. I totally love that. Amazing what losing the doors did. š
Dixie
So pretty!! You have done SO much work and I can tell you put your heart and soul into it – it means so much when we have a kitchen that we love!!
Wow! I was amazed that the refrigerator seemed to disappear with the blue walls!
I put beadboard wallpaper in my kitchen last year and love it, too!
What a difference painting that wood strip across the doors made!
It's just beautiful and bright!
Happy cooking and bon appetit!
HUGS,
~me
Wonderful! I have those SAME CABINETS – how did you change out the doors on the lower cabinets??
oops – now I see thepost on the doors! I'm inspired! thanks for sharing!
I seriously love this kitchen makeover, because of the open shelves as well as the fixture over the sink. I have two small cabinets over my sink that I can barely reach, as well as a shelf on either side. I like how you opened that up above the sink, I'm thinking I might do that to my kitchen.
Amazing transformation…I love it.
I love your kitchen green with envy.
I would love for you to link it up to my party that is running now. Any linky goes.
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2011/06/any-link-goes-party-running-now-summer.html
Come strut your stuff.
absolutely beautiful and inspiring makeover! and for so little $$$!
i love love love it!!
Wow Rita! All that hard work has paid off … the kitchen looks amazing!!!! I love how fresh it looks … what a transformation, it was all worth the wait! Coffee would be lovely in there!
Cheryl š
Favorite things: beadboard, skirts as doors and the painted dresser. Well done! You have a nice, open, fresh place to work now. So inviting!
That is a seriously incredible makeover! I'm not sure I would have been able to see the potential in all that existing cabinetry, but now it totally rocks! I hope you pat yourself on the back every time you walk in there!
Wow…..I never saw the finished product…this is gorgeous!! I'm pinning it! š
Wowzer!! You really transformed the kitchen into a beauty! Happy to be a new follower š
Your kitchen looks so light and open. Good job!
What is the green color in the before picture?!
Whoa!!! Great job. I have the same counters and they look so ugly, but the way you transformed your area with new color gives me glimmer of what mine could look like:)
I'm so impressed! You had me at $159 …
You did such a wonderful job… I love it! I’m a big fan of taking what you have and making it work and you really accomplished that here.
what a huge difference. i’m not sure i would have the guts to do open shelving but it looks great and really opens things up!
Thanks so much for linking up and linking back. Be sure to like us on facebook for contest updates and winners!
https://www.facebook.com/OneProjectCloser
I saw this makeover over at Bear Rabbit Bear. What a fantastic job! I just had to stop in and give you a pat on the back. It is a lovely renovation!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on kitchen. Regards
Hiya, I found you via Home Stories A to Z. I *LOVE* this makeover. All your choices are just lovely, and I *especially* love that it’s a real makeover spending hardly any money at all!!! AMAZING!! Inspiring because it feels like something ANYONE can attain… Well, financially at least. Well done! Thanks for sharing!!
g i n a
I adore what you’ve done on such a small budget. It looks beautiful and so welcoming! You’ve been featured in the Spice Up Your Kitchen Awards, thanks so much for linking up:
http://makinglemonadeblog.com/kitchen-renovations-ideas-and-features
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What web
host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
What a pretty transformation – I love your style!!
Krista
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Rita! It turned out fabulous! If you hadn’t said it was wall paper, I would have believed it was bead board.
Thanks. Shirley! We tried every budget saving trick we could think of!!:)
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