How to Nest for Less™

Kitchen Cabinet Makeover Reveal!

in Room Makeovers on

Sharing is caring!

I think many of you have been waiting for this day… I know I have. I’m finally revealing my {mini} Kitchen Makeover! Now maybe most people wouldn’t call this mini, but I have to stay I stuck to a strict budget and made several changes to my space, but nothing too costly.

Here’s what the before looked like in case you can’t remember…

My first step to my mini kitchen makeover was a stone backsplash we added last year, then crown molding to my cabinets. And finally this past month I got around to painting my kitchen cabinets white which made the biggest difference since there isn’t a lot of natural light in this space.

OK, ready for photo overload?

I love how light and bright my Kitchen is now! I gave our red wall a fresh coat of Sherwin Williams paint in Sea Salt. That was the first step to making the room feel bigger.

Another cheap update we did in this space was change up the lighting. We moved the old pendant light from the kitchen table to the island. Then we purchased a new chandelier to go over the kitchen table.

I also transformed my Kitchen Accent Table with a fresh coat of paint and some texture. Using furniture and accessories I already had on hand really helped keep my kitchen makeover costs down.

Here are the final costs of my Kitchen Makeover:

  • 1 gallon of Sherwin Williams white cabinet paint in Pure White – $40 (purchased during sale)
  • 1 gallon of Zinsser cover stain primer – $23
  • Sherwin Williams satin Sea Salt paint for accent wall (leftover from Craft Room makeover)
  • 1 gallon Olympic paint for other 3 walls in Drifting Dune – $25
  • Chandelier from Home Depot – $86
  • Ceiling medallion for center island pendant – $16
  • Backsplash stone & adhesive, 3 outlets & 2 light switch plates in oil rubbed bronze from Lowe’s – $346
  • Cabinet crown molding – $20
  • New oil rubbed bronze cabinet hardware from Lowe’s – $98
  • Paint brushes, rollers and sandpaper – about $30
  • New accessories including white ceramics and kitchen drapes from Target – about $100

THAT’S A TOTAL OF roughly $784 (and almost half of that being my backsplash!).

Just to paint the kitchen cabinets from builder grade oak to white was under $100… and man, what a difference.

Here’s some before and after pics to enjoy!

Yeah, I was a little nervous about keeping my black appliances with the white cabinets but I’m perfectly happy with how it looks (plus it saved me a ton of money not having to upgrade to stainless steel).

And one last before & after photo comparison…

What a difference paint can make, right?
I’m one happy girl.

ALSO SEE THESE POSTS:

HOW TO PAINT KITCHEN CABINETS
TIPS & TRICKS FOR PAINTING YOUR CABINETS
MOM’S KITCHEN CABINET MAKEOVER

popular-projects

Comments

  1. Mgan Magill says

    I love how having the white in your kitchen has now lightened the entire room. Your benchtops also appear to have been changed but they just look different and this is thanks to the paint. We have black and white in our kitchen (not applicance they’re stainless less) and its great because you can do so much. You did a great job, I’m loving it.

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks so much Megan. It’s funny how the painted cabinets really did change the look of the countertops!

  2. Megan says

    What a bright and beautiful kitchen. The back splash is so unique and really pops with your other choices. Megan

  3. [email protected] says

    Looks great! It makes me want to paint my cabinets! I wonder if I can convince my hubby! 😉

    • howtonestforless says

      Do it Ginger! Super cheap transformation…. although it does take some time!

  4. Andrea says

    So much brighter. It looks great!

  5. Steph says

    It’s looks awesome! Xo

  6. Anne says

    LOVE this look and I have to say that my love affair with stainless appliances is fading fast – your black ones are the perfect contrast to all the white. Lovely job!

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Anne! I was a little nervous about the contrast but I’m diggin’ it so far!

  7. Terri B. says

    luv the look and the price! was wondering, was it hard 2 put up the backsplash? want 2 do mine.

    • howtonestforless says

      The hardest part of the backsplash was cutting the stones with the wet saw to everything lined up perfectly around the switchplates and outlets. This type of stone backsplash probably isn’t for beginners unfortunately

  11. Debbie says

    Your kitchen looks amazing!! It really brightened the space up!
    We might be doing a kitchen reno this winter (I’m finally getting a dishwasher but to put the dishwasher in we have to get a smaller sink which snowballs into a almost full kitchen reno. Oh darn.) and I’m trying to convince my husband to let me paint the cabinets white. They are a super dark brown right now and just suck all the light out of the room.

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks so much Debbie! It sure does lighten the space. Good luck to you! Send some pics when you’re done 😉

  12. ritajoy@harbour breeze home says

    Beautiful transformation! I just can’t get over how much BIGGER it all looks when painted in lighter colors! You have chosen my favorites, too…white and Sea Salt. Very nice job. Thanks for sharing with us.

  13. Chelsea @ two twenty one says

    Looks AH-MAZING! You did such an awesome job! And might I say that I love how you have black appliances so I can see how our kitchen will look with white cabinets and black appliances. I know you planned it that way. 😉 You’re totally welcome to road trip to Indiana and help me with my kitchen.

    • howtonestforless says

      LOL. Thanks girlie! ROAD TRIP! You have a spare bedroom for me to crash, right?

  14. Megan Brooke says

    Looks awesome Erin!!! One day when I have my own kitchen (not renting) and hate the current cabinet color, want to come help me paint mine? 🙂

  15. Amber Price says

    That’s super nice! I almost wish I hadn’t seen it because it makes me wish my cabinets were white but my home is brand new so I shouldn’t be changing it already! 🙂

    • howtonestforless says

      Haha! I know how you feel. I wanted to paint my cabinets since the day we moved in. It’s the biggest regret I had when we built this home. Next time I’m upgrading the cabinets upfront!

  16. Jenny says

    It looks great! You can’t move now, the kitchen is perfect!

    • howtonestforless says

      LOL!! I know, I finally get my kitchen looking good and we put our house on the market. At least it should sell quicker now… I hope 😉

  17. Shona says

    Erin, it looks beautiful!! It’s crazy what a little crown molding does to change some cupboards. I love the white and I love the sea salt wall. It’s gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Shona! Crown molding is such a great, inexpensive update, isn’t it?

  18. Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says

    Erin, it’s gorgeous! I love the backsplash! Doesn’t it make you want to stay in your kitchen all day long? I still get a shock of excitement every time I walk into mine 🙂 Fabulous job!!!

    • howtonestforless says

      Um… I don’t know about all day long! LOL. I might just need some cooking lessons now 🙂

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Sandra! I know exactly what you mean! I think the warmer tones in the countertops and backsplash help balance the white. Thanks for stopping by!

  20. Samantha says

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

  21. Lisa says

    Wow! Great job. It looks wonderful. LOVE the black and white!
    Blessings,
    Lisa

  22. Martha Lawson says

    Amazing transformation!!! Congrats.

  23. Kelly says

    YAY! I know this was quite an undertaking. It turned out fabulous 🙂 The space is so much lighter and brighter. Woot!!

  24. Christina @ Floridays Mom says

    I love the kitchen makeover, and the backsplash was the PERFECT touch. I’m so tempted to paint our cabinets. I feel perfectly content painting everything else in our house but the cabinets scare me to death. AHHH! Your transformation may have giving me a little courage.

    • howtonestforless says

      DO IT Christina! If I can do it, anyone can! I really have a heavy hand when it comes to paining and I’m not very detail-oriented, but they still came out great! C’mon… everyone’s doing it 😉

  25. Kim B. says

    Absolutely beautiful! I love how the backsplash coordinates so well with the countertops and the floors. I really, really, really want to paint my early 1990s bleached cabinets now!

  26. Katie says

    This looks amazing! Do you recommend that Sherwin Williams cabinet paint? Thinking of repainting our cabinets (half are white, half are oak).

    • howtonestforless says

      LOVE Sherwin Williams paint. I will never use a different paint brand ever again. Super smooth finish, great coverage, goes on like butter! It’s definitely worth the couple of extra bucks for a gallon (and they’re always having sales!).

  27. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says

    WOW! What a transformation! I can’t believe what a little paint can do! It looks great and I love how it makes the room open up. Adding the crown molding to the cabinets really makes them look like different cabinets! Fantastic job!

  28. Erin {Home Everyday} says

    This is absolutely fabulous! I love how light and airy the kitchen is now. Also, from the before and afters, it actually looks bigger! Also, that dresser is awesome. Nice work!

  29. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    Erin your kitchen looks amazing!! What a difference the white cabinets make. I would love to paint ours, but we rent. I`m sure the landlord would be OK with it, but I know my hubby doesn’t want to put that kind of work into it. I may convince him in the Spring. Anyway, I LOVE the makeover!! And great photos. =)

    Have a great weekend!
    ~ Catie

  30. Karah says

    love your new kitchen!!! Looks amazing and so bright and friendly. Great job. I don’t know how you guys have time for all this stuff:)

  31. Leslie says

    That kitchen was born to be white!
    It’s beautiful!!
    (I love my white kitchen, too!!)

  32. Carol says

    Wow, it looks amazing! You did a fabulous makeover!

  33. Terry says

    Beautiful transformation. Goes to show people that paint can do wonders for a room and it doesn’t have to cost much. You just have to be willing to do the work and you did a fabulous job.

  35. Shauna @Satori Design for Living says

    It looks so fantastic. I love how fresh the color palette is, but you still have warmth with the other finishes you selected. I can’t wait to makeover my kitchen now!

  36. the cape on the corner says

    looks amazing! i thought you added chunkier molding to the tops of the cabinets, but you just painted them? wow. they look so much taller to me! fabulous job!

  37. Becca says

    WOW … an incredible transformation, indeed! I love that you painted your cabinets and lightened your walls. And, while it was beautiful before, it’s stunning now. The backsplash is awesome … love the painted piece, too! Fantastic job!

  38. Carol @arewethereyet says

    Oh Erin – I feel your pain – we spent last year gutting our house and completely redoing it. Had it just like I wanted when we put it on the market and it sold – now we are in a rental that I am having problems “loving”. We are trying to wait to buy again – don’t want to rush into something but we are looking and, hopefully, we will have something by the first of the year!
    I love your kitchen makeover – I wonder about the difficulty and the longevity of painting the cabinets yourself – my hubby, who is a “master” DIYer, insists that it would be too difficult to do it ourselves when we do buy. What do you say????
    Thanks and Hugs –
    Carol @ arewethereyet

  40. Roeshel S (@DIYShowOff) says

    Beautiful, Erin! I love every detail – paint really does achieve an amazing transformation! Thanks so much for sharing! 😉

  42. Judy says

    The kitchen looks amazing. I will be featuring this tonight at my Fall into Fall party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks.

  43. Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says

    Just amazing!! I love that backsplash! I thought you had replaced the countertops too, it even makes them look different!! Awesome job!

  44. rea says

    all i can say is oh W-O-W!! i really love the transformation! i am such a fan of white kitchen 🙂

    love, love it! dropping by from DIY by Design, come visit me back or follow me at:
    http://homefor4sweethome.blogspot.com/

    huggies***
    rea

  45. melissa alder says

    I LOVE it! You did an awsome job. I wish I could do something with mine. I have no doors on some of my cabinets as of right now. My husband is building rustic cabinets out of cedar for our kitchen and I can’t paint or stain them. He wanted the lodge look and I wanted farmhouse style. There lies the conflict. LOL. We are trying to merge our two styles and its going to be quite interesting when were done.

    • howtonestforless says

      Oh my Melissa! The cedar cabinets sound fantastic! It’s hard trying to merge two styles (I know from experience!). Good luck to you!

  46. Lisa says

    Erin, your makeover came out great!!! I really like the black appliances with the white cabinetry and the hardware color! Such a great transformation – I can’t believe it was so budget-friendly! Enjoy your refreshed space!

  47. Laura @ The Turquoise Home says

    That is an awesome transformation! I have been wanting to paint my kitchen cabinets white since we moved in last February. I plan to do them this year, but I was worried about the black appliances on one side of the kitchen (we have stainless steel fridge and dishwasher and black range and microwave … for some reason the original owners picked it out that way!). And yours looks great, so no need to worry! I also think I have the same color countertops. And I’ve been wondering what they would look like with the white cabinets. Looks like it will all be great. Thanks for sharing! Popping over from the Thirty Hand Made Days link party.

  49. Shawn says

    I am just curious. It’s been over a year since this project. How did your white cabinets hold up? Any negatives about the color? Do you have to wash them more? I would love to paint mine and would love your in put.

    • howtonestforless says

      Shawn, I actually moved back in July so I can’t give you a recent update. Although when we moved out we didn’t have one problem with chipping. Yes, you have to keep them clean, but it was just a quick wipe down once a week. Also, I painted my mother’s cabinets and they still look amazing! I would 100% do it again!!! Good luck with yours. Keep me updated!

  50. Leslie says

    Hi,

    I thought I had seen step-by-step instructions on your website explaining how many coats of primer and paint, but I can’t find it now. Do you still have a link for those instructions? I am really impressed with your cabinets and want to make sure mine turned out just as nice.

    Thank you,

    Leslie

  51. jess says

    love the transformation-any tips for painting? we are about to give it a try in our kitchen

  52. Caroline says

    I am absolutely, completely, TOTALLY in love with this.
    I have outdated kitchen cabinets (that my husband loves, but then, he’d happily paint EVERY room in the house WHITE!) and I absolutely want to do this.

    I have to see if I can remove the bottom decorative piece on my cabinets, because really, it’s the thing I hate most.

    Back on topic, thank you for sharing this. I feel like this is manageable!
    (I refinished a dresser and two end tables for my living room this summer and they turned out AWESOME. I’d love to match the kitchen!)

  53. Erica says

    wow!!!!! awesome!!!!!!!!!

  54. Ashley says

    I love how your kitchen turned out. I also have the builder cabinets and after 10 years the color is so drab. I’m not even sure they are real wood. Do you think I would be able to paint as well? I had the same cabinets in the bathroom but I stained them for a high end feel. I want the kitchen more light and bright.

    • howtonestforless says

      YES! You can still paint them! Just make sure you clean, sand and prep them before you paint, especially since you stained them.

  55. Shan says

    My kitchen is almost identical to yours. All my appliances are black and my cabinets are same color as well. I was thinking of ways to enhance my kitchen without replacing my appliances to stainless steel. This has definitely inspired me.
    Thanks so much for the tips and pics.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

How to Nest for Less is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Privacy