The Less Than $50 Kitchen Redo
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This is the less-than-$50 kitchen redo that I DIYed in my small bungalow kitchen.
What do you do when you have a very small kitchen you want to update, but don’t have the money to get much done?
You get creative.
Start With Coats Of Paint:
First, I painted all the lower cabinets. They were already white but pretty dinged up, so I gave them another fresh coat of paint.
I was at a loss for what else to do when I suddenly thought about decoupage. So I went to my crafts bin and dug out graphics I’d collected for my decoupage project.
I just improvised as I went along, gluing papers this way and that.
I realize that this concept isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But I didn’t want it to be ordinary. Colorful and fun was my aim. I used the window curtains I made when I first moved in as my creative inspiration.
My favorite poems, quotes, and vintage photos came out of a box where I store them, and I glued them on the cabinet doors below.
Pan Lid Recycled As A Towel Holder:
The pan lid you see on the wall is one I picked up at a garage sale or somewhere. I’m using it as a kitchen towel holder.
The kitchen cart above is one that I saved from the trash. I rolled it in here and gave it a coat of paint.
Then I placed a small red bookshelf on top for mugs and other items. I put coffee pods into a clear glass container and spray-painted the lid red.
Decorating With Stencils:
I got out my stencils and stenciled a cup of coffee on each door. This really defined this coffee bar cart and its intended purpose.
The upper cabinets in the above photo had doors. The shelves are useless because I have to climb a step ladder to retrieve anything.
Open Up Your Kitchen By Taking Off Cabinet Doors:
I took off some of the doors, and that’s when I saw the ugly electrical wires inside. Not only that, but I don’t think the inside had been painted in probably 30 years.
I decided to hide the electrical wires with decor and use this space for decorative items. Remember my motto: If you can’t fix it, try hiding it.
I whipped out the paint again and had to put four coats inside these cabinets. But it is done, and the doors are now stored in the garage.
You can see the electrical wires hanging from the ceiling, but oh well. This is a real person’s kitchen, and it is far from perfect.
Using Strips Of White & Black Checked Scrapbook Paper:
The black-and-white checkered paper I used on the front of the shelves is scrapbook paper.
The papers were stiff and hard to decoupage with, unlike lighter-weight scrapbook paper. But I persevered, and now they’re glued down, flat, and staying in place.
If this is where I’m going to “hang my apron,” then I will have fun in this room. I love seeing my favorite quotes, poems, and graphics that have been hidden inside boxes for years.
Now I can view them every single day.
There are no rules about decorating. If you live alone, you can do as you wish because you don’t have to please anyone but yourself.
Have fun decorating your house. If you use what you have and only buy what you need, you can do it for less than $50.
OMG — I love it love it love it! I wouldn't change a thing. I wish I could find some photos of some of the things I have done a long time ago, because you of all people would love it. Necessity is the mother of invention as one of the other bloggers said, and I think some of the most creative stuff we do comes from that place within in us that has nothing to do with money or worrying about how it will be perceived by others. I think this is just fabulous!
So very kitschy and so very you. I love what you have done. xo Laura
It's fun, it's pretty, and oh so YOU!
Out of necessity, comes the mother of invention. Life would be so boring if everything was easy and we didn't challenge ourselves to come up with things that are a bit different from time to time.
Very creative use of space and items too! Well done!!
Oh this is GREAT ! What a wonderful change from all the sterile, boring, white, white ,white, that you see everywhere. I was so surprised when I saw your pot lid because I have an old blue granite one on my cabinet door that I use for a towel holder.
I love how your cabinets turned out and yes, it does remind me of Mary Engelbreit.
I love what you did and to think it did not cost you hardly anything at all. Thanks.
I love what you have done. It shows your personality, warm, loving and full of fun
Amazing! It looks terrific! Hard work, I'm sure but what a great job you did! Keep up the wonderful, quirky decorating!!! Love it!!
Brenda I love it! It's quirky, fun, colorful and full of personality! I loved this post so….much that I read it twice!! You go girl! It's a wonderful collage of all the things that have meaning for you.
It looks perfect to me Brenda! I love all your personal touches and all the fun colors you use. Anyone can do ordinary, it takes imagination and a real vision to do what you did to your kitchen. Love it!
Your kitchen is charming, Brenda!
Brenda-
It definitely NOT ORDINARY…and though, it may not be everyone's cup of tea…it suits me fine!
Remember…I glued brown paper to my vinyl bathroom floor; for a faux wood treatment.
I love your style– so cute!
I also love that 'fork, knife and spoon' on the wall. You should give us a close up of that one… I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing all types of things glued to the walls of our homes!
You're a trend setter.
This little project –done a wonderful price, I might say…is adorable.
pat yourself on the back…and take a break.
— Pat
Brenda, everything looks so fun and colorful! I think that was a wonderful and creative way to put your mark on the space. It really looks like you and has the perfect cottage flair.
Absolutely gorgeous!
Brenda, I am cracking up. How many gallons of Modpodge did you have to use? It is such a clever idea and fits right in with your style.
Your daughter would never have a problem selling. She could list it as the cutest house in the neighborhood! I love what you did to your kitchen. So cutesy and so happy! Love it!
I really love this redo Brenda! it is so you! colorful yet not too overbearing..cheerful and cozy just like your cozy little house is all over from kitchen to bedroom and all in between!! no one but you deserves to live in this charming little kitchen so done up just for you! I LOVE it!!! Carol
I love this! You do what you want and what makes you happy. Just stay there forever and no one has to worry about resale! I have always wanted a place that could be ME.
Brenda, a beautiful job, and yes it does have a wonderfully lyrical Mary Englebriet feeling to it, and that's part of it's charm. It's very you, and expressive, I can imagine no one is going to be gloomy in that kitchen, and that's what kitchens are for.
Good for you, and if you didn't point out the slight imperfections, we would have never noticed them. I really like what you have done.
Jen
It is refreshing to read a blog written by someone who does what makes them happy and not what "interior decorators" dictate. Your kitchen is cheery and welcoming….love it. The red Keurig is great. Have never seen one that colour here in Canada.
I have always thought that people should decorate how they want to and not by a series of "rules" made up by uptight rich people. Thanks for being genuine.
This kitchen absolutely screams BRENDA!!! It is so totally you, so charming, so delightful – I would faint from happiness if I walked in there. I would just melt from the charm of it. I keep saying charm but that's what it is: charm! Delightful! Fun. Colorful. Interesting.
Perfect!
Very cute! Your quite innovative and I like it!
It's pretty and fun! And you're going to smile every time you walk in the room! I love all of your open cabinets with everything arranged so nicely! Love all of the tiny black and white checks with the red and white! And it really is nice to have the pretty images and quotes you've saved out where you can see them! Love the coffee cup stencils! You've had fun with it and that's what life is all about! KUDOS to you my friend!
All of the above!!!!! Everyone already said it so well. I am soooo impressed.
Sandy
Me again….Brenda could you please tell me what you feed your dogs. My Yorkie just keeps getting sick. It comes and goes. Just about the time I think I am taking her to the vet she is okay a few days. I need to try something that is proven to help. Thanks.
Absolutely adorable, Brenda!
Okay Miss Benda Englebreit what were you thinking standing on the counter . You be careful girlie.
Well, I just love it. Like having all your favorite things to see right where you can whenever you want.
I love the pot lid for the towel holder. I also like the stenciling. Seriously you should write a book using your photos inside and outside. How many times have I said that to you. Anyone know a publisher?
It is really cute but I would worry about the cabinetry. I think like that sometimes, OK, lots of times! I always loved how you arrange things so artfully on your shelves. And get so much on there. Spacing is everything, I guess. And you have quite the eye! xo
Charming! I know I'm repeating the others but yes, I thought of our dear Mary Englebreit also. I miss that magazine so much. I can just imagine this kitchen on a dreary rainy day or when there is snow piled up outside and you can't get out. But who cares, when you have that kitchen to go into for your coffee and your baked potato. And so much to inspire you there.
You deserve a rest but as my uncles used to say in their little Walhalla, SC town when I was a child, "You done good!"
Brenda- That is so YOU! I love all the color and that you have used papers that were hidden away that you love. I am so glad that you were able to do this. I can hear your daughter groaning- LOL- Oh, well! Did you ever watch the movie Pacific Heights? Now THERE is a nightmare of a renter that took over the house! You really should watch that! xo Diana