Holiday Kitchen Makeover ($500 Budget) AFTER

Finally, right? I know this post has been a long time coming, but it’s taken me a while to feel really, really ready to share the big reveal.

This kitchen makeover was far more that just some paint, it’s been a complete transformation that’s resonated far beyond just my kitchen’s asthetics. My kitchen is where I create delicious meals, it’s where I work, it’s where I spend the vast majority of my time. And when it was dated and dark, it negatively impacted my happiness.

I’m sure it seems trivial and silly to some of you, but this space is very important to me and now it’s a place I truly enjoy spending time in.

I’ve honestly enjoyed keeping it to myself for the past few weeks and tinkering around with different design accents (mostly that I simply re-purposed, and didn’t buy) but NOW without further dragging my feet….. Here it is:

I’m proud to share that the actual make-over was definitely under my $500 budget.

How did I spend my $500 Holiday Kitchen Makeover Budget? 

Faux-Stone Counter Top Resurfacing ($79)  – This amazing Giani Granite Paint Kit in Sicilian Sand made it possible to completely transform my green laminate countertops to a beautiful faux-stone finish in just 1 day.

White Cabinet Paint ($110) – The Nuvo Titanium Infusion 1 Day Cabinet Makeover Kit made the transformation from orange-oak to bright white so easy.

But I will say that it definitely took me longer than 1 day and because we have LOTS of cabinets, most of which were severely greasy from 15 years of high-traffic cooking, my kitchen required extra coats.

I did use THIS PRIMER on the cabinets above our stove and below our sink. I also purchased 1 additional quart of the cabinet paint which after I finished the kitchen, left me ample extra for touch ups in the future.

Nickel Cabinet Hardware ($90) – Something as simple as swapping out our gold hinges and handles with more modern ones made a big difference. 25 Sets of Nickel Hinges were $45 and 35 Nickels Handles were $45.

I am super excited to share that I removed and replaced each and every hinge and handle in my kitchen all by myself!

And it sucked. But THIS screw gun that Ray let me borrow, made it so much easier. It’s smaller and lighter than a clumsy drill but works just as good. If you’re going to replace your hardware, get one they  are cheap and you’ll love it.

Adhesive White Subway Tile Backsplash ($86) – It couldn’t be easier to get the look of tile with adhesive sheets of faux-tile. I needed a total of 20 sheets to do our entire backsplash area, each pack of 10 sheets was $43. No need for messy adhesive and grout. No renting tile cutting saws.

Easy peasy, just like sticking stickers on the wall because that’s exactly what you are doing. It is a little tricky to match them up, but after a few sheets you get the hang of it quickly.

Trim  ($30) – I spent roughly $10 on a few small pieces of trim to finish edges of the tile back splash and to fix a yucky part of our cabinets that we modified previously. We also splurged on an inexpensive pneumatic trim nailer at our local Harbor Freight, who knew that a $20 tool could be so fabulous?! Best investment, ever.

Ceiling Paint ($50) – Our Kitchen ceiling was a DISASTER. And while you don’t realize it day to day, over time it collected so much grease and gross stuff. A gallon of ceiling paint  and a new roller brightened the space up so much! This was my least favorite part of the entire project, however using THIS color changing ceiling paint made it so much easier to see where you missed. It goes on pink/purple but dries white, what a genius idea!

Misc Supplies (FREE) – I’m not saying FREE like the guy at Lowes gave them to me, I’m saying FREE as in they are leftover from previous projects. I made the decision to use the same paint as I’ve used in other places in our home because (a) I like it and (b) it needed used up. I alway have rollers/brushes and stuff like that in my DIY kit.

Display Shelves ($30) – I added 2 corner shelves to the side of one kitchen cabinet to display the 2 cookbooks that I have written; Without Grain & Fermented Foods at Every Meal.

They look great and I finally feel like my hard work is showcased! After all each and every recipe was created & photographed right here in my very own kitchen!

Barnwood Valance ($5) – By simply using a piece of reclaimed barnwood, 2×3 wood, nails/screws that we had in the garage, we were able to make a super simple, farmhouse inspired window treatment.

I quickly draped a star set of battery operated lights over top that I got at Target for $5. The white roll shade that was on the window previously we rescued, just scrubbed it clean.

Between the Studs Berkey Water Filter Shelf ($5) – Again using supplies we had already and a $5 shelf bracket, we created a space saving place to keep our water cleanliness bathtub.

If you don’t have a Berky Water filter, stop CLICK HERE and get one now. They are the easiest way to have clean, healthy & fluoride free drinking water.

Want more details? Comment on this post if you want me to share our DIY instructions for our Between the Studs, Berkey Shelf.

Sometimes it’s the little details….

While I didn’t intend on purchasing extras and decor for my makeover, since it was completely a budget focused effort, there area  few extras that I added after the makeover was done and a few things that I want to be sure you notice that were in our kitchen pre-makeover.

None of these items were required, nor are they the things that made the biggest impact. However I wanted to talk about them too!

Refrigerator Mounted Knife Rack – I know everyone doesn’t love knifes on a magnetic bar and being honest I wasn’t sure that we would like it either. But now that we have lived with it for a while, I never want to go back to a knife block on the counter.

I love freeing up counterspace and being able to see my knives. THESE 10 inch magnetic knife bars can be mounted on a wall/cabinet using screws or they can stick to your refrigerator with their special magnetic powers.

Barnwood Kitchen Sign – Keeping with the same look as our kitchen window valance, I made a KITCHEN sign using extra barnwood and paint I already had.

Can it get much easier? I didn’t use a stencil either, want to learn how? Just ask in the comments and I’ll post my DIY instructions!

Rustic Utensil Storage Crate –  A few months ago I snagged this super cute Reclaimed Wood Wine Crate and I am excited to finally find a use for it! Doesn’t it look awesome??

I put mason jars in each of the 6 compartments to hold utensils.

Live Plants – I grabbed a few new low-light plants to add life and color to our kitchen. I’m always growing things, no matter the season. I don’t waste money on pots, I just plant them in glass mason jars and canisters.

Walnut Butcher Block Cutting Board – Several years ago we got large butcher block style cutting board and have kept it between the sink and stove. We used it constantly as our primary work area. But since it didn’t completely take up the space it felt very awkward always being pushed to one side or the other with wasted space surrounding it. Upgrading to a darker walnut wood and the perfect size for our space not only looks beautiful but is much more functional space.

If you’re looking for a timeless addition to your kitchen, THIS is the butcher block cutting board you want. If you can’t find the exact size you want, they will make one custom to your dimensions. A good quality butcher block will last a lifetime and is worth every penny.

Gel Kitchen Mat – Healthy cooking just got more comfortable with a Gel Kitchen Mat! I wanted one for YEARS but couldn’t find one that made sense, size-wise in our kitchen’s unique space.

This 36 by 60  gel mat in stone blends in beautifully with our flooring and functionally makes sense.

Now when I’m cooking, my leg/feet no longer ache, no matter how long I’m on them!

Just so you know (and incase you were wondering) I did 99% of the work all-by-myself.

And No (before you ask) I’m not a DIY genius. In fact I pretty much stink at all things home improvement.

So, I could do all this in just a few short weeks, in my spare time, so can you!

What’s next? I’m Expanding the Makeover!

Our home is basically on large open space with bedrooms on either end. So now that my kitchen has been made over, it’s time to expand the beautification throughout the space.

I updated our attached dining area, painting the wall and adding some artwork. (artwork = computer printouts in inexpensive frames from Michaels with 40% off coupons)

Next we’re painting our living room walls in the same gray as the kitchen/dining room, brightening up the space with a new coat of ceiling paint and duplicating the barnwood valance over our double  window.

Spring 2017 we’re installing hardwood floor that we discorvered off of this website. It will be going in the entry/dining and new carpet in the living room/master bedroom.  And finally replacing our 15 year old, falling apart sectional couch!

Questions? Comments?

What do you think of my Holiday Kitchen Makeover on a $500 Budget?

Do you love it or Hate it?

Was it money well spent?

What details did I leave out?

What questions do you have?