DIY Budget Cottage Kitchen Makeover

Julie Briggs
by Julie Briggs
I transformed my dark, dated inefficient kitchen in a charming, bright space that is jam-packed with clever space saving ideas and extra storage.
This is what the kitchen looked when I bought the house:
Terrible outdated wallpaper, almost no counter space and an inefficient layout....the kitchen was the only thing in the house that really made me pause when first looked at it.
This is what the kitchen looked like through most of the 2000's - I stripped the wallpaper, painted, replaced the faucet, appliances, cabinet hardware and light fixture. It was better but I still didn't have counter space and the fridge just inside the door created a dark cave like feeling.
I sacrificed the pantry to relocate the fridge and added a couple of cabinets to add storage, more work surface and a better flow.
The kitchen is only 10'x10', so I put a lot of thought into space saving ideas and extra storage.
For tons more pictures and a breakdown of all the projects, please head over to my blog.
Julie Briggs
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Michelle Michelle on May 18, 2016
    Is the backsplash bead board? I am doing a tiny kitchen remodel 11 x 12, I am also putting in butcher block countertop. Beautiful job on the kitchen!
  • Judith Laurence Judith Laurence on Apr 07, 2017

    Please explain the "pop up" extra counter top on the end of your existing counters. I SO want to do this, but am having a problem finding simple instructions.

    GREAT space planning on your part!! Congrats to you. Do you just go in there, sit and enjoy your efforts?

  • Darlene Knight Darlene Knight on Jan 05, 2020

    I have asked before but I have metal cabinets from the 50's. Suggestions on paint or how to update

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  • Janette Janette on May 04, 2016
    I think if you look at the second picture it looks like the door only leads to a very shallow pantry.
  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on May 29, 2016
    So many great ideas packed into a tiny kitchen! When we were finally able to move to a larger house, the one thing I wanted was a large kitchen. I got it, with lots of storage, but there is never enough at the right place or height. Thanks!
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