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Design Dilemma DIY

Feedback for kitchen renovation on a budget

11 months ago

Hi guys 👋

I am wanting to update the kitchen and make the space more functional (on a budget)

Any ideas?

Featured Answer

Pottsy 9 And A Bit

11 months ago

I'd start with the easiest thing -- paint .

The benchtop looks to be a pinky mushroom , the walls look to have a pink tinge , and I think the handles are pink ? The shelves look to be brown stained timber .

The cupboards are a nice white , and the stove in black and stainless isn't too bad . The floor tiles are very dated .

So I'd paint the walls a slightly blue tinged off-white ( maybe Surfmist or similar ) , go black for new handles ( or black and stainless ) , and paint the shelves a charcoal , or Japanese black ( a bluey-black ) . Add plants on the shelves ( a cactus , a creeping one , anything small ) in nice shiney small glazed pots in your favourite colour ( as long as it sort of works with the bench , so maybe red or black , but some greens or blues will too , even pastel yellows or apricots etc ) . Have at least 1 appliance on the bench 'permanently' -- either black and stainless , or the same as yoiur appliance/s .

The tiles with that fade are hard , but not impossible , to paint/stain -- I've used black paint thinned right out with turps ( not water based obviously ) , do about 4 coats over 4 days . Ideally look at replacing them , but $100 as opposed to $2k or whatever is worth a try , for something that should last a couple of years or more .

So assuming you can paint , you'd be well under $1000 for paint , pots , plants and cupboard handles , and a couple of brushes and a roller and tray

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Comments (11)

bigreader
11 months ago
On a budget means different things to different people. Are you talking $50, $500 or $5,000? What bothers you the most?
PRO
CHRISTINE HALL ARCHITECTS LTD
11 months ago
Hi There,

Bigreader is right, how big is your budget? Also, are you able to do some of the work yourselves or are you less capable with DIY? That will affect how much you can spend.

Also, the issue with partial renovation is that it will only look as good as it's weakest link so you need to spend your money wisely if it is limited to avoid it looking like you only did half of it.

For me, the things that date it the most are; the blinds, the handles and the bench top. Blinds and handles are reasonably cost effective to replace but the bench could be costly. I think there are coatings you can apply instead of replacing the bench but I have never used them so perhaps someone else could advise on that. Then the sink unit and taps could be replaced with newer models. Don't go too cheap on tapware as you need that to last and cheap ones don't last. The tiles on the backsplash could be replaced with something nicer.

More updated overhead shelves or cupboard units will help and can you install an extract for the cooktop and include that in these?

Hope that helps.

C.
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Julie Herbert
11 months ago
Yes, it depends on your budget.. paint is your friend, a cheap alternative to a new bench top or stone overlay would be paint, there are paints like Dulux renovation and Rustoleum for bench tops, there are plenty of tutorials online for how to achieve the best result. You could add a range hood (look on eBay for great deals, usually with free postage) add floating shelves either side, a new tap, replace handles (buy In bulk on eBay) for a fraction of the cost at Bunnings, a white micro Venetian blind from spotlight starting at $20 plus. A great makeover for less that looks a million dollars..
Nards
Original Author
11 months ago
Thank you all so much for the ideas and feedback! The budget at the moment is $2k.
Kate
11 months ago
Paint and handles are your choice. You may Also be able to pick up some second hand upper cabinets. Also move all the cabinets on right to close up the gap beside the stove. Also look at stonemasons for offcuts to close the gaps with a small infil framed out
bigreader
11 months ago
That budget gives you ample for a makeover. A few quick pics from Bunnings. For the benchtop etc.
bigreader
11 months ago
You can slash the price on bench tops by shopping in the wooden panel area and sealing it yourself. I’m looking at using these in a laundry makeover. Available on different sizes.
bigreader
11 months ago
Katrina Chambers did a whole kitchen for $5k so have a look at her Instagram/Site for what she did.
PRO
Kitchen and Home Sketch Designs
11 months ago
Hello Nards, I agree a make over is needed but where to spend your money. Paint, handles and little things are great but I think the bench top has to go. I also agree that replacing it with timber from Bunnings is a great idea as it gives you any choice of colours to work with it. I do not know about pricing (and that will depend on how much work you can do yourselves) but I think bench top, double sink and new outlet, and paint and handles will help it a lot. If you can go for more budget try replacing the cabinets with drawers all round. The shelves can match the bench top and get a range hood that will need to be vented outside. It should come up a treat!! Good luck. Margot
Cee
10 months ago
Good space. I think I could live with nearly all of it... pump up fhe 80s music, hang a big print of a pink galah to go with the pink & grey look. (Is that benchtop colour Puce? Different).

While saving up for a bigger kitcken redo with new cupboards & benchtop..

1st to go: window vertical blinds

2nd to go: the sink. Nice new full + quarter stainless steel sink & new tap.

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