Before & After: Quick & Inexpensive Kitchen Changes

I love my quaint, 1940s condo, but the kitchen has always felt unfinished and out of place. Not being in the financial situation to completely remodel to my liking, I decided to do a few quick, inexpensive projects to brighten the space as much as possible.

The original flooring in the kitchen was a clay-like, synthetic tile which was glued down like nobody’s business. My dream floor is something from Mod Walls, but on a tight budget, we chose a white-washed, marblesque laminate that would create a clean base in the kitchen. We spoke with some professional flooring experts who gave us the heads-up that there may be asbestos hiding beneath the floor, which would require a costly remodel by professionals. So, the laminate was positioned directly over the tiles! The light-colored floor widens the kitchen and accentuates the walls, which open the space. It’s also a breeze to clean!

The second project we worked on was removing the old, faux, wrought-iron cabinetry above the sink, which was outdated and out of place in the context of the kitchen’s aesthetic. Holding onto the glass shelves, we removed the doors and painted the interior a greenish-white to accentuate the glass. With a few wine glasses, some ceramic animal friends, and some personal touches, our kitchen was complete (at least in this budget cycle). I have several ideas for a future remodel, but for now, we are happy with the results!

Images: Andie Wurster