You Have to See How a Coat of Paint Transformed This Kitchen

updated Sep 11, 2019
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(Image credit: Hannah Puechmarin)

Emma and Matt bought a home in Ipswich, Australia for its old-world character and its affordability. But you know what that means: Most of the time, “character” often comes with a huge list of DIYs and needed renovations. This home had a particularly dated living area and kitchen that, despite having big windows to let light in, usually felt quite dark.

The kitchen, especially, was stuck in the past with the yellow walls, green trim, ugly tile, and dark kitchen cabinets. While the couple did a full makeover on both rooms, they kept the existing cabinets — so it’s really the fresh coat of white paint that makes the biggest difference here.

See more of Emma and Matt’s beautiful home: A Traditional “Queenslander” Home at Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Hannah Puechmarin)

Opting to keep the existing cabinets, the couple just painted them to brighten up the space. They also replaced the sink (the new one is from IKEA!), countertops, backsplash, and stove. And they added some upper shelving. The difference is totally transformative, right? You might not even have realized these pictures were of the same room if we hadn’t told you.

More on Painting Kitchen Cabinets

(Image credit: Hannah Puechmarin)
(Image credit: Hannah Puechmarin)

The adjoining living room got a similar treatment — a brand-new look with little more than a new coat of crisp, white paint. Look! Emma and Matt’s home now has a bright and happy feel, deserving of the home’s nature and locality.

The lesson to be learned here? Bright white paint is always a good idea.

This post originally ran on Apartment Therapy. See it there: Before & After: What a Difference a Coat of Paint Makes