The kitchen makeover is finally done, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! It’s so amazing that I might just become a domestic goddess, baking banana bread all the time. The kitchen was always a highlight of the house, with its new appliances, subway tile backsplash, and open layout. However, it felt a bit too generic for my taste and needed a brighter, edgier look.
Here’s a breakdown of everything we did to update our kitchen and dining area on a budget, along with links to everything you see in the space.
**Painted the Cabinets & Walls**
We painted the cabinets and walls, which made a huge difference. The cabinets were a strange steel blue, and the walls were a dull gray. While these colors are trendy for being “neutral,” they felt bland to me. The white walls brightened the space, and the black cabinets added a modern touch.
**New Floors**
I absolutely love the new floors! Replacing the kitchen floors was a challenge because the existing tile was difficult to remove, and the installation was costly due to the many cuts needed. Despite the hassle, I’m thrilled with the consistent flooring throughout. We did have to touch up the cabinets after the floor installation, so if you’re planning to do both, do the floors first.
**Swapped out Light Fixtures**
The original light fixtures were too rustic for my taste, so I spent hours finding the perfect replacements. We chose the Mitzi Astrid Chandelier for above the dining table and Neko Pendants for the kitchen. The brass and black combination looks fantastic, and I was relieved that the gold didn’t clash with the stainless steel appliances.
**Changed Kitchen Sink Faucet**
We replaced the bulky, brushed bronze faucet with a sleek, modern matte black one. Zack watched a video to install it, and it’s definitely something you can do yourself.
**Gave Our Old Dining Table & Chairs a Makeover**
We decided to keep our Ikea Docksta table, despite its poor quality, because buying a new one was unnecessary. We sanded it down and painted it white, making it look brand new. The chairs were spray-painted black, and we added new black pads, giving them a fresh look.
**Added a Runner Rug**
I’m surprisingly excited about our new pink runner rug. It keeps the high-traffic area clean, reducing the need to constantly clean the floors.
**What’s Left To-Do:**
We still need to hang some art, but we’re waiting until all the decor is in place to decide on the best spots. We also have a couple of wishlist items: marble countertops and moving the washer/dryer from the kitchen to a hall closet to create a walk-in pantry.
You can shop for everything featured in our kitchen and dining room!