Kitchen Makeover on a Budget.

Janet chambers
by Janet chambers
6 Materials
Three months ago, my husband, brother and I moved into a 112 yr. old house that needed a lot of work (I could see the potential). This is a before photo of the kitchen. Yellow walls, old white wood cabinets and brown laminate counter tops. I took doors and drawer fronts off to sand them. There were no cabinets above the refrigerator (I guess so the previous owner could fit the refrigerator in).
Our kitchen when we first moved in. (I know)
I sanded down the cabinet fronts (four coats of paint) to the bare wood with my electric sander. The cabinets and drawers fronts are one piece of woods with wood slats attached. Then I sanded down the rest of the kitchen that couldn't be removed. I put heavy plastic sheeting up on the doors which helped with the dust.
I painted the cabinets with medium blue cabinet paint, and the fronts with "Bright White" cabinet paint. Replaced all of the hinges and door stops. My husband and brother built the two new cabinets over the refrigerator. the wood for the cabinets are almost a perfect match. We painted the ceiling with white ceiling paint and the walls a light gray.
I hated the old, brown laminate counter tops. They were in reasonably good shape, so I decided to paint them, even after my husband and brother said, "You can't paint counters!" From a suggestion here on H.T., I used a Giani paint kit ($80) It was very easy to use and the directions were great. (you can't really mess this up) The more paint I added, the better it looked. I gave it three coats of glaze that came with the paint kit. My husband and brother were amazed and I love it.
Next, I decided to paint the linoleum floor. (It was yellow with yellow roses). Again, my husband and brother said, "You can't paint a linoleum floor!" After looking at a few post and getting great suggestions here on H.T., I cleaned the floor really well with vinegar water and then a rinse. I rolled on high adhesive primer. You have to roll fast and not go back over it because it dries quickly and you pull the primer back up. After waiting 24 hrs., I rolled the floor with a very light (almost white) blue. I used "Floor & Porch" paint. Floor and porch paint and adhesive primer purchased at Lowe's. I let it dry for two days, just to be sure it was dry and then stenciled it with a large and a small stencil. I used a dark gray porch paint. I purchased the stencils from "Stencils Online" in a pattern that fit the Victorian style of the house. I did not roll the stencil for fear the paint would leak under. I sat on a stool and did all of the stenciling by hand, starting from the center of the room. This took me two days to stencil. I then rolled on three coats of water based (not oil) polyurethane. I was told that the oil based poly would turn yellow. I purchased new silver vent covers from Lowe's to complete the floor.
Goodbye old yellow floor!
Hello beautiful, new floor!
My husband and brother put up new molding around the cabinets and replaced the old woodwork around the floor. I purchased some inexpensive fabric to make a valance for the window over the sink. I then used the same fabric to make a seat cushion for my chair that I use in the kitchen. In the middle of the seat cushion, I used the same small stencil that I used on the floor and painted it with acrylic craft paint. I added a white ruffle and ties to the cushion. I removed the old, bent, white vent cover and purchased the new silver vent cover from Lowe's.
Lastly, I removed the little shelf that was above the range. I put in a new back splash. I used self stick tile sheets purchased from Home Depot in blues, grays, and clear that resembled glass tiles. These are expensive tile sheets, at 10.00 per sheet if you are planning on doing the whole underneath of your cabinets. I purchased six sheets. With what I had left, I added three rows of tiles to the back of the counters. We added a new light fixture over the range which really makes the back splash sparkle.
My kitchen is finally finished and I love it! All at a cost of under $450.00. Now, on to the next room!


Here are the "after" photos! I can't take a picture of the whole kitchen. It is just two sides. You walk through the kitchen from the dining room to the mud room. Hope these help! Thanks so much
This photo is taken from the same view of the unfinished kitchen above. This is on one side of the kitchen.
This is a photo of the other side of the kitchen.
Kitchen going into the dining room.
Kitchen going into the mud room.
Suggested materials:
  • Giani paint kit   (on line)
  • Self stick back splash tiles   (Home Depot)
  • Primer, Paint, wood, light fixture   (Lowe's)
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Frequently asked questions
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  • Brenda Brenda on Apr 27, 2016
    Do you have any photos of the kitchen after. I would love to see the whole room.
  • Gail Gail on Apr 28, 2016
    One of the best kitchen make overs I've seen. It has a cozy, yet fresh look. I love what you did on the floor. What are the counter tops made of? In I would like to redo the counter tops in our winter place.
  • Terry Wick Machowski Terry Wick Machowski on May 02, 2016
    How is the painted floor holding up? How do you clean it? Thanks
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  • Geezer Wench Geezer Wench on Dec 22, 2017

    It looks so bright and fresh. You all did a great job!

  • Maura Maura on Aug 02, 2018

    One of the nicest I have ever seen on such a limited budget! Love the fact you used blue on cabinet backs and the stenciled floor is so beautiful. You should be so proud. Truly and inspiration! Thank you for sharing

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