You may remember Krystol from the amazing porch makeover she shared a while back. She’s back with another budget-friendly transformation — this time her kitchen — and the results are stunning. Here’s the letter she sent detailing the project:
Thank you so much for posting our porch reno on your blog. I was so amazed at the response and wanted to share our latest project: the kitchen reno. We stripped everything back to the studs and rebuilt the space with new IKEA cabinets, new appliances, a laminate countertop and my favorite feature: a zinc-topped work island. We created the island by wrapping the top of an MDF sheet with zinc ordered from Rotometals. I felt a little guilty because the previous owner had recently “redone” the kitchen, but we did keep the tile and the dishwasher, so not everything was replaced. The whole kitchen reno cost about $8,000, which covered cabinets ($3,000), appliances ($2,500), lighting ($400 — a splurge), paint, plumbing and electrical work, drywall and tile. We completed almost all of the work ourselves, with my dad (a carpenter) helping on the bigger tasks; we hired out only a few minor plumbing and electrical items. We also scored the tile on closeout at Home Depot, though we had to drive two hours to find matching additional pieces — just one of the many DIY adventures. Hope you enjoy! — Krystol
Here’s what the kitchen looked like before the renovation:
And here is the same space after the complete transformation:
The finished kitchen reads like a high-end farmhouse remodel, but it was achieved on a realistic budget. Thoughtful touches — such as the mosaic tile backsplash and the custom range hood — feel expensive, yet many elements came from accessible sources like Home Depot and IKEA. The total includes everything from drywall and tile to appliances and lighting, plus the custom zinc-topped island and new cabinets and countertops, making the $8,000 price tag particularly impressive.
Sources and materials Krystol used:
- Wall color: Horsetails (Martha Stewart collection from Sherwin-Williams)
- Window sash color: Squirrel (Behr)
- Cabinets: IKEA
- Cabinet hardware: Vintage lucite knobs bought on eBay (about $1 each)
- Mini mosaic tile: Home Depot — installed over drywall with mastic and grouted since the area isn’t exposed to direct water
- Lighting: A splurge; similar fixtures can be found at big-box stores
- Zinc sheet for island: rotometals.com
- Curtains: Homemade
Krystol’s project is a great example of what can be achieved with planning, elbow grease and a modest budget. Doing much of the work herself and relying on affordable retailers helped keep costs down without sacrificing style. The result blends cozy farmhouse charm with thoughtful, economical choices: the mosaic-backed range hood, the custom zinc island and those dramatic blue curtains are all standout features.
What’s your favorite part of the makeover? The mosaic range hood, the zinc-topped island, the painted sash and walls, or the bold curtains? This renovation proves you don’t need a huge budget to create a beautiful, high-impact kitchen.