When Bethany sent in her imaginative, low-cost kitchen makeover we had to share the results. Here’s her note:
This spring my husband and I refreshed our tired kitchen with a goal of improving the look without spending a fortune. With a little paint, new cabinet hardware, a rug, a light fixture and a window treatment, the space feels brand new. The best part was stepping back at the end and realizing that small changes produced a big visual impact. I love my “new” kitchen, and the fact that we only spent about $400 is the icing on the cake. I documented the whole process—from inspiration to completion—on my blog for anyone who wants the full story.
Here are the before shots of Bethany’s original kitchen:
And here are the crisp, updated after photos:
Budget breakdown:
- Cabinet glass (clear, double-thick), local hardware store: $130
- Bamboo shade, Menard’s: $22
- Grasscloth wallpaper, Menard’s: $18
- Cabinet paint (Behr Ultra, custom match), Home Depot: $15
- Trim paint (Behr Ultra, Ultra White), Home Depot: $15
- Wall paint (Behr Ultra, matched to M. Stewart “Flagstone”), Home Depot: $33
- Cabinet hardware (Amerock), Home Depot: $116
- Pendant lamp, Home Depot: $35
- Miscellaneous: screws, sandpaper, paintbrushes, etc.: $30
- TOTAL: $414
Since the after photos were taken we also replaced the beige switches and outlets with white ones, which finished the room nicely for an additional $15. Totally worth it. Hope you enjoy it! —Bethany
Bethany did a fantastic job making the most of what she had. The grasscloth wallpaper behind the glass cabinet doors adds texture and depth, while the paint choices brighten and open up the space. New hardware, the window treatment and the pendant lamp complete the look without blowing the budget. It’s impressive how a series of small, affordable updates can transform a room and make it feel entirely new.
What do you think? Didn’t she stretch $400 to create a kitchen that’s both serene and functional? Which detail stands out to you most — the textured grasscloth in the cabinets or the calm, cohesive color scheme that makes the space feel larger? Either way, the results are delicious.