Before & After: Dramatic Green Kitchen Cabinets Completely Revive a “Stale ‘90s” Home

Believe it or not, some of the most impressive makeovers I’ve seen are on the tightest budgets. And the kitchen in Johnny LaZebnik’s maximalist, vintage-inspired California home is one perfect example. When he bought the apartment, the room wasn’t exactly what he was looking for; some experts even recommended that he “gut the entire kitchen.” But with a little creativity, he figured out how to revive the space without starting from scratch.

“It was a very ’90s, builder-grade kitchen before we repainted [it],” Johnny says. “While it may look like the cabinets were wood from afar, they were actually just painted, not particularly well, to look like blonde wood, and it just looked very old and stale.” 

Even though the cabinets lacked the charm Johnny was looking for, there was nothing necessarily wrong with them. Plus, he wanted to reimagine the kitchen without spending an arm and a leg. In 2021, he set out to give the room a makeover with a few specific goals. Namely, as an avid cook, he wanted functionality in the room, and to connect it to the other rooms, which had green throughout.

Johnny hired painters to refresh the cabinets in a medium green hue, and doesn’t regret his choice to not do it himself because there were a lot of cabinet doors, and he lacked the space to paint and dry them himself. “I love the color so much. I know green kitchens are very in right now, but I think it’s with good reason — being in a soothing space when you’re making coffee and still waking up is so important,” Johnny says. 

The existing tile countertops didn’t bother Johnny, so he kept them; he says they’re easy to clean and have a softer look than other materials like quartz. However, the “very worn porcelain sink” needed to be swapped out for something more functional. He found a 32-inch sink with a built-in cutting board, strainer, and drying rack to get the most out of the limited space.

Johnny says he had a “grand design plan” and took the makeover step by step. Now, it’s a functional kitchen that has a lot of personality. From hanging measuring spoons and pot holders on the side of his fridge to painting the thrifted stool, this room is the perfect blend of practicality and fun (achieved without spending a fortune!). 

To see how the kitchen connects with the rest of the gorgeous apartment, visit the full home tour on Apartment Therapy.