Before and After: This Chic Kitchen Redo Was Done in Under a Week Using Mostly Leftovers
Of all the home renovations, kitchens tend to be among the priciest because of all the appliances, hardware, and finishes in the space. There are backsplashes to think about (and pay for), faucets, microwaves, ranges… not to mention any wiring or plumbing if the layout changes.
Apartment Therapy has great tips for budgeting to save for your dream kitchen, as well as plenty of redos that prove switching up your kitchen doesn’t always have to be expensive. A total DIY using only materials leftover from previous projects, DIYer and blogger Lily Sawyer’s kitchen redo is another one to add to that list.
“At the moment, this property is our holiday home, and the budget to decorate was very small,” Lily (@layered.home) says.
Although Lily did have to purchase new appliances for the space because they were either too old or didn’t exist before, her steps after the new appliances were cost-conscious, using mostly paint and peel-and-stick covers.
“Using leftover paints from previous projects, I painted the walls, trims, and radiators a clay color and cabinet doors a dark gray-blue color,” Lily says. She says she loves the warm contrast of the two shades.
“For the tiles, I applied renter-friendly pre-cut peel-and-stick vinyl tiles with a geometric pattern,” she says. Lily says she was surprised by how easy the “tiling” process was and was pleased with the new look she created. “The tile design reminds me of a bright traditional Mediterranean kitchen with a contemporary touch,” she says.
She also used peel-and-stick vinyl for the floors, which look like a chevron hardwood. “It is coated for floor, so it’s super durable, waterproof and skid-and-scratch-resistant,” Lily says. “The wooden floor design brings in warmth and a welcoming atmosphere.”
Lily also replaced the cabinet pulls to modernize the space, swapping the round white ones for skinny brass hardware. She finished accessorizing the space with thrifted finds and items she already owned. Cleverly, she used a blue floral table cloth as a curtain to hide the storage space in the corner. It was hung using a tension rod.
“One day I would love to change the units and the cooker, but for now this feels just right,” Lily says of her new space. She’s proud that she didn’t have to do “a complete refit” to create change. Her project took less than a week.
“With a bit of creativity and some resourcefulness, you can revamp a space in a few days with DIY,” she says, which is perfect for renters or those who want to prioritize other costs.
And now, she says, “it feels like a different space, homey and inviting.”
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