Other than painting over some dated wallpaper, there was one very simple, inexpensive change that made a huge difference in this kitchen. Can you spot it? Click through to see all of the before and after photos.
The cabinets in this kitchen were already white, had a classic, clean shape, and were obviously in good condition. The problem? The brass hardware. It threw the whole room into the 1980s.
Buying new cabinet pulls and hinges would have been easy, although that many (there are a lot of cabinets) could have gotten expensive. Instead, the renovation team spray-painted the hardware a silver color with a brushed nickel finish.
Once we realized that the homeowners didn't buy new hardware, we started wondering where the $400 actually went. Some of it went to the breakfast area, which got new window shades, and new barstools.
The team primed and painted over the wallpaper instead of stripping it. And once the initial re-do was finished, the homeowners decided to buy a new stove and microwave, which were not included in the $400. But overall we were surprised by how big of a difference a little metal spray paint could make.
• See the slideshow: Budget Kitchen Renovation, from MyHomeIdeas.com.
What do you think?
Related: The $30 Kitchen Makeover
(After images: Colin Peterson)
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It definitely looks more modern and pleasant. I think it would have been worth it to buy new hardware instead of painting it, as I imagine the paint will chip off over time. I also think it's best to take the time to remove wallpaper, as eventually it will start to curl off the wall, taking your nice paint job with it.
Decluttering also seems to have helped a great deal, and that's free.
Looks good. Was the microwave painted too? The buttons on the side look similar!
If so, is that safe?
Very pretty.
yeah, hello? biggest change is the new microwave.
Wow! This looks so much cleaner and sleek. Inspiring ideas and good to see what a difference you can make without a complete makeover. That table was beautiful, I can't believe it was hiding under a tablecloth!
I kinda liked it before they painted everything white.
I think the microwave makes the biggest difference, though the painted hardware changes a lot, too. I get re-using the hardware instead of buying new, but would've stripped the wallpaper. Just seems a little lazy to me.
I don't think I would have thought to change the microwave out but it does make a huge (and positive) different! I agree with SarahBerneche that the wallpaper should have been stripped.
i really don't want to be the lone naysayer, but i don't like that hardware. at all. wouldn't be so bad if it were just the pulls & not the hinges, but it just looks like too much (WAY too much) to me.
is it me, or do the counters look much lighter/less yellow?
It's kind of unfair to compare the before and after picks since they were taken under very different lighting conditions.
The natural light in the after pictures would have made it look better than the before even if no changes were made.
Sholt: No, you're not the only one to notice. :) I was wondering about the same thing, and what they used to refinish those; I hope it was more than a coat of paint, as that wouldn't be particularly serviceable for a counter-top.