See How Paint Makes Vintage Details Pop in This $300 Kitchen Redo
If you rent — or if you don’t plan on staying in your place for several years — it’s likely not worth it, money-wise or time-wise, to do any major demo or layout rearranging. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make some budget-friendly changes to make your apartment or house a more pleasant place to live.
In Janis Daly’s condo kitchen, for example, “the beam had to stay,” she says, but a DIY refresh helped her make the most of it (and the other things that irked her about her kitchen). “The support beam was the only thing you saw when you walked into the space,” Janis says. “I wanted to showcase the galley kitchen.”
A few DIYs totaling $300 helped Janis refresh several things she didn’t like about the before — including the beam!
Black paint did wonders for the kitchen.
Janis says her kitchen makeover was “mostly all paint.” She painted the walls and the beam with Rustoleum’s Studio Color Black. “I think the dark color on the support beam made the biggest change because your eyes aren’t instantly drawn to it,” Janis says.
Plus, the dark paint makes her vintage items pop!
All of the furniture and decor is thrifted.
Janis says she “wanted something more warm and vintage feeling,” for her kitchen, so she added more wood tones and thrifted finds. “The vintage dresser is my island and cutting board and storage,” Janis says of one of her favorite pieces.
She’s also proud of her brass curtain rod solution for hanging pots and pans and her brass and marble shelving. “I love that everything is warm and cozy, and I’m able to access my tea china cabinet and pantry shelves,” Janis says.
The countertops got a makeover, too.
Speaking of marble, Janis painted her countertops with three coats of paint and gloss for a faux marble look. “The counter faux marble project was my hardest part,” she says. “But I did end up being pleased with it when it all came together.”
Janis’s best DIY advice is to not be afraid of paint. “You can always paint over it!” she says. “You’d be surprised what paint can do!”
Inspired? Submit your own project here.