Hold on to your jaws, because they might hit the floor in a few moments. Jordan and her husband completely transformed their kitchen for just over a thousand dollars, and the result is stunning. Here’s Jordan’s note:
I’ve been obsessed with your blog for a while now. I check it every day! My husband and I finally bought a house this spring and we’re in love with it. We’re full-time photographers, not designers or renovators, but I could paint and decorate for days without food or drink—I just love making spaces over!
We remodeled the kitchen on a tight budget: $1,207 total.
We stretched our dollars as far as possible. Just look at the difference:
Painting the cabinets and replacing the countertops dramatically improved the space. The stainless-steel appliances they already owned really pop against the new finishes. Adding a pendant light above the sink and swapping the sink itself gave the room more character and warmth.
Here’s a breakdown of what they used:
- $20 – Paint for the cabinets (Olympic Dogwood Blossom)
- $0 – Primer for the cabinets (already on hand)
- $0 – Wall paint (leftover from a previous project)
- $20 – Beadboard for the front of the peninsula (Home Depot)
- $620 – Oak Numerar countertops (Ikea)
- $185 – Sink (Ikea)
- $98 – Faucet (Home Depot)
- $86 – Knobs (Anthropologie)
- $100 – White subway tile backsplash (Home Depot)
- $78 – Light fixture over sink (Ikea)
- $0 – Stools (reused from another room)
- Total: $1,207
I’m thrilled to finally have a finished room to share. Thanks so much, Sherry and John! — Jordan at landonjacob.com
This makeover shows how far careful planning, a few smart purchases and some DIY effort can go. Ikea’s affordable options paired with reused items and a fresh coat of paint delivered a high-impact transformation without breaking the bank. The new countertops, hardware and light fixture elevated the kitchen’s look, while thoughtful reuse kept costs low.
What stands out most is how cohesive the final room feels: the painted cabinetry ties the space together, the subway tile adds classic texture, and the oak countertops warm up the overall palette. Simple swaps—like a new sink and light—made a big visual difference.
Would this inspire you to rethink your kitchen? Which element would you change first—paint, countertops, lighting, or hardware? Share what you’d tackle and why; small, budget-friendly projects can make a huge impact.