Kitchen Makeover: Our Near-Finished Transformation

Ok, we’re calling it: the kitchen is officially done — well, mostly. After five months of steady work, the big projects are complete and the room feels totally transformed. We still have a few small finishing touches to tackle, but the heavy lifting is behind us and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

Remaining Tasks

• Add decorative molding to the back of the peninsula
• Create a message center or chalkboard on the side of the pantry
• Install the last floor transitions/reducers and finish the small area of fireplace tile
• Replace the broken light near the fireplace—likely with a spotlight that washes the wall
• Install a window treatment over the sink (we’re leaning toward a colorful Roman shade)

We also dream of refinishing the surrounding oak floors so they match the dark mocha cork in the kitchen for a more seamless look, but that’s a longer-term plan. For now, most of the major items and many of the small ones are checked off, and the difference is dramatic compared with the dark, paneled kitchen we lived with for almost a year while planning this remodel.

For comparison, here’s the “before” photo so you can see how far we’ve come.

Before and After Views

The room hardly feels the same. We opened up the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a larger, more welcoming doorway and completely changed the flow and sightlines.

Current Points of View

Here are a few more shots that show the room as it looks today. Much of the styling will continue to evolve—items on counters and shelves will rotate in and out—but the architectural and finish work is what makes the biggest difference.

Two 4 x 6 rugs from our previous house are temporarily placed; they were handy for photos but aren’t a permanent choice. We plan to get something newer and softer to define those zones.

We debated painting the metal bar stools bright or dark, but in person the silver finishes tie nicely into the stainless appliances and balance the room. We’ll likely live with them for a while before making any final decisions.

We’re also considering widening the neck of the range hood after a reader sent a photoshopped suggestion—she proposed making the top as wide as the bottom, and we like the idea enough to likely beef up that detail in the future.

What We Did Ourselves to Save Money

This remodel was much more DIY-forward than our first kitchen renovation. Over the course of the project we took on a lot of tasks ourselves to control costs and learn new skills. Key DIY moves included:

• All drywall and trim work around the opening into the dining room
• Relocating the fridge, pantry, and stove to improve the work triangle
• Refinishing and repainting the original oak cabinets and reusing our existing sink and faucet
• Adding base cabinets from Habitat for Humanity ReStore to create the peninsula
• Reselling old items on Craigslist to recoup funds
• Choosing Corian counters instead of pricier stone
• Buying appliances on sale and stacking Energy Star discounts during tax-free weekends
• Building a custom cabinet around the fridge and building our own range hood cover and shelving
• Scoring a used range hood and other finds on Craigslist
• Installing all tile work ourselves, including the penny tile backsplash
• Laying clearance cork flooring ourselves

Budget Breakdown

• New cork floor + underlayment (including laundry room): $848
• All new stainless appliances (after sale discounts): $2,129
• Doorway opening into dining room (contractor + materials finished by us): $790
• Additional base cabinets from ReStore for peninsula: $88
• New pendants over island and sink: $149
• Cabinet built around fridge: $90
• All electrical work (local professionals, three visits): $711
• Wood filler, primer, and paint for cabinet refinishing: $69
• Used range hood from Craigslist (market value $350): $60
• Wood and brackets to hang/frame hood: $115
• Materials for shelves: $141
• Corian counters in Glacier White (at $33/sq ft): $1,700
• All new cabinet hardware and hinges: $173
• Backsplash (penny tile): $280
• Four industrial lab stools: $168
• Miscellaneous supplies (grout, sealer, fasteners, small electrical items): $194
• Items sold on Craigslist to recoup funds: +$750 (old microwave, fireplace insert, dining table, dishwasher, granite, wall oven)
• TOTAL SPENT: $6,955

For a space this size (approximately 24′ x 12′), a fully outsourced renovation with custom cabinetry, new stone counters, and extensive contractor work could easily approach $30,000. We originally budgeted $10,000 and are pleased we finished well under that number, largely by doing a lot ourselves and hunting for deals.

Timeline, Time Invested, and Final Tips

We began this project in October and averaged about 5–10 hours per week, mostly nights and weekends, totaling roughly 155 hours. If you have daytime commitments, it’s absolutely possible to renovate in small chunks — break work into manageable tasks and focus on one piece at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Keep as many appliances functioning as possible during the work (we only lost full use for a few days), use extension cords if needed for temporary power, and plan the sequence of work so you’re not blocking yourself off from cooking for weeks on end. The effort and sweat are worth it when your finished space feels like a whole new room.

Final Thoughts and Thanks

We’re thrilled with this near-complete kitchen and grateful for everyone who followed along. If you’re planning a budget-minded remodel, consider taking on some tasks yourself and sourcing materials and fixtures used or on clearance. And a big thank you to our kids for being patient during the hammering, drilling, and dust—Clara still enjoys measuring cabinets with her tape measure!

Are you starting a kitchen renovation? What cost-saving, hands-on strategies worked for you? Share tips and experiences to help others who are beginning their own projects.

For readers curious about detailed monthly updates and step-by-step posts from our renovation, check our archive of posts covering the project.