When Evelyn sent us photos of her kitchen makeover, we were excited to share them. Here’s the letter she sent describing the transformation:
I read your blog every day — your enthusiasm for decorating and finding great deals is contagious. I love Target, Ikea and West Elm too, and I once had an outdoor wedding with lemons as decorations. Our space is small, and we rent, so we can’t paint or make any major changes. The dining room serves as our office, dining area and overflow storage for kitchen appliances. We had a fairly uninspiring dining set, and the microwave sat on the counter taking up valuable workspace. Underneath it was a filing cabinet covered with black fabric; it, along with a laundry sorter and crates for recycling, created a cluttered eyesore.
Now for the after. We got the chairs for free, and I picked up an Ikea Melltorp table for $60 and an Apsvik cabinet that fit the space perfectly. The cabinet is designed for a printer and has a gap in the back for cords, so I ran an outlet up to the top to plug in the microwave — now blissfully hidden — while the bottom drawer serves as a filing cabinet, which is exactly what we needed. I hung a curtain we already owned on a $1.50 tension rod and bought a cuckoo clock at Target on sale for half off — only $13. It all came together as a quick, budget-friendly kitchen fix. Hope you enjoy it! — Evelyn
Fantastic job, Evelyn! This makeover proves you don’t need a big budget or structural changes to make a rented space feel refreshed and functional. The bright red chairs add a lively pop of color, while the replacement table and clever Apsvik cabinet free up counter space and hide the microwave. Using an existing curtain to define the wall and adding graphic art and the charming $13 cuckoo clock brought personality and warmth to the area. It’s a thoughtful, economical approach with smart solutions for storage, electrical access and visual interest. Thanks for sharing the photos — they’re inspiring. What do you think of Evelyn’s transformation?