9 Cheap Ways to a Kitchen Makeover

Before: A 1950s kitchen was feeling dull, drab, and, well, like it was from another era. Time to rethink every inch. A $14,000 investment–and the ingenuity to integrate new with old–brought this kitchen into modern times. 

After:

1. REVAMP CABINETS
They were simply scraped, sanded, painted and fitted with new hardware.
 
2. BUILD A BETTER BACKSPLASH
Goodybe, wallpaper. Say hello to easily wipeable white subway tile.
 
3. CLEAN APPLIANCES
The 20th-century electric range (with double oven) and microwave looked like new after a pro scrubbed them inside and out.
 
4. MIX AND MATCH
Not everything needs to be brand new. Making compromises and prioritizing will help keep you stick to a budget. The Bosch dishwasher and the old stove were of different ages—but make fine mates.
 
5. REPLACE THE FAUCET
The enamel sink was in great condition; it got a new, chrome-finish goosenecked faucet.
 
6. LET LIGHT IN
We all love lots of windows. We all crave sunshine.
Don’t cover the window with heavy blinds, rather open it up and let natural light in. 
 
7. UPDATE COUNTERTOP
It’s no-frills white laminate—not fancy, but bright, clean and food-prep-friendly.
 
8. NESTLED-IN FRIDGE
New walls around the top-vented Sub Zero (one separates it from the cabinets, the other closes off dead space above) make the fridge fit flush to the kitchen’s architecture.
 
9. WORK THE FLOORING
The floor was covered in a checkerboard of 12” ceramic tile squares.

See even more easy-to-steal kitchen design ideas on Domino. 

photography by JOSHUA MCHUGH styling by LILI D’IALLO