This $400 Kitchen Transformation Is One of My Favorite Budget Makeovers of All Time
Kitchens are notoriously expensive to get professionally remodeled. In fact, a recent Houzz study notes that the median cost of a kitchen remodel in 2023 was $55,000. Yikes! That’s why I love getting to see budget makeovers of kitchens among our Before & Afters. With a little ingenuity, many homeowners can create a kitchen they love for under $1,000. And sometimes, they can even do it for less than $500!
One of my favorite budget kitchen transformations we’ve ever featured shows just how much you can change with some strategic DIYs like paint and hardware. In the beginning, this kitchen was a very recognizable 1960s style outfitted with brown cabinets and beige accents. Many people might have been tempted to scrap it all and start fresh, but a $400 DIY makeover gave it a totally new life.
The biggest change: the fresh paint job! White on the upper cabinets and the ceiling makes the whole space feel so much bigger, while green paint on the base cabinets brings some personality. I love how the green color makes another appearance on the ceiling fan, too, which helps it feel like part of the room instead of an afterthought. (The new location, farther from the cabinets, helps with that too.)
The only other major changes were the new hardware, a fresh flush-mount light, and a rug that helps cover some of the old flooring. Even at the budget price of $400, the difference between the “before” and “after” of this space is striking! For more details on this project, check out the entire makeover here.
While the painted cabinets were definitely the biggest upgrade in this makeover, paint isn’t the only secret ingredient to reach for in your next kitchen refresh. Here are five more of the best bang-for-your-buck kitchen upgrades to inspire you.