Before & After: An Under-$200 Creatively Colorful Kitchen Makeover

Avery’s 1980s kitchen was dark and dated, but all of the appliances were perfectly functional so she figured she could make some quick and inexpensive updates to transform the look of the space. After much internet research, she decided to go with her gut and chose a color and style that matched her personal tastes.

From Avery: Our craftsman style parsonage is full of beautiful, original wood trim, built-ins, and doors from 1910. The kitchen was expanded and remodeled sometime in the 1980s. The dark wood cupboards had normal wear and tear, and the off-white linoleum floors had seen better days. The church gave us a small budget to “redo” the kitchen, and I wanted to keep the cost as low as possible. We didn’t need new appliances or fixtures or flooring, so I found creative ways to brighten and update the room without spending much money. I read every article out there about painting kitchen cupboards, and decided to go for it!

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for the cupboards, and would stand behind that decision over and over. In the before photos, every light in the kitchen was on and it still felt like a cave. The after photos were taken at the same time of day with NO lights turned on! In addition to painting the cupboards, I painted the window frame above the sink, the trim, the backsplash, the soffit and all of the walls. It felt silly to paint white over white, but the fresh, bright new paint made a huge difference in the brightness of the room. I also replaced the dated hardware with modern gold hardware from Amazon. The total cost of this update (not including the rug) came out to $200.

When making design decisions for the kitchen, I initially leaned towards a minimal, modern vibe with all neutral elements. I was thinking of white uppers and black lowers, with modern accents and not much color. But as I browsed Pinterest for inspiration, I undoubtedly gravitated towards bright kitchens with a lot of color — specifically that perfect shade of blue green. I can’t deny it, it is and will always be my favorite color. I decided to be true to my own style instead of what is currently trendy, and I am so glad that I did.

I wholeheartedly believe that nothing you truly love will ever go out of style. So when you are designing a new space, keep in mind your personal preferences and tastes instead of relying on Pinterest to tell you what’s trendy. Look to the rest of your home, and even your wardrobe for inspiration. If I could go back in time, I would still definitely decide to paint the cabinets! So if you’re considering it, but are afraid of the results, just do it! It is the most affordable way to dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen.

Thank you, Avery! You can see more on Holland Avenue Home.

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: Before & After: An Under $200 Creatively Colorful Kitchen Makeover