Before & After: A $20,000 DIY Kitchen Renovation

Today’s kitchen renovation comes from reader Koko of the blog, Koko Likes. Koko moved into this home not long before her husband Quincy was deployed for a tour in the Army. They had talked about renovating the kitchen when they first moved in, but plans were put on hold until Quincy’s return.

Last fall, Koko and Quincy finally got the chance to start their remodel, and they finished it this month. Because they did most of the work themselves, they estimated that they spent approximately $20,000 on the remodel, which included all new appliances and cabinets. Take a look at their DIY renovation.

What a bright update! One of Koko’s biggest complaints was that the kitchen was closed off and didn’t have any natural light or ventilation. This expansion definitely solved both of those problems. By knocking down the wall that closed off the kitchen and by cutting a pass-through into the wall, they were able to let in a lot of light.

Koko and Quincy used IKEA cabinets for their remodel, and they did most of the installation themselves. They started planning by using the IKEA Kitchen Builder Tool, and then consulted with a friend who is also a contractor to make sure they were doing everything correctly.

Now, take a look at one of Koko’s favorite parts of the kitchen. (It’s our favorite part, too!)

The eight-foot kitchen island absolutely makes the space. Not only does it provide extra work space, but it seats five people. We love that it is a massive island, but it doesn’t overwhelm the space, thanks to the expansion. Plus, they still have room for a dining table. What a perfect space for entertaining!

You can read all about the step-by-step process of the remodel and get a list of resources on Koko’s blog, Koko Likes.

Thanks so much for sharing your remodel with us, Koko!

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