Kitchen Makeover For 50 Dollars



I did it! I have to admit that I had been dreading this project. Ever since we moved into this house I just knew that I wanted to paint the cabinets white. But was a bit intimidated by the magnitude of such a project. So after a lot of thinking and estimates from local painters, oh my! I finally just dove in.

Here is what my kitchen looked like before:

So Dark!

YIKES!
With one gallon of Zinsser's low VOC primer and one gallon of Valspar's low VOC. antique white semi-gloss I went to work. I painted one coat of primer followed by one coat of 1/2 primer 1/2 paint (advice from professional painter.) And finished with 2 coats of paint.





I am so pleased with the outcome. I can't believe how much more light and how great the granite counters look. They were totally overshadowed by the 1970's cabinetry before.

What do you think? Worth the 50$?

Sorry the pictures aren't wonderful. I wanted to get this post out and it decided to snow today. Not great for lighting but really fun for the kids!

Link Parties~

52 comments:

  1. TanyaDecember 12, 2010 at 10:58 AM

    Money definitely well spent! Beautiful kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jaimee @ Havenwood House of BoysDecember 12, 2010 at 12:03 PM

    Looks beautiful! I bet you are glad to be done with this. I've redone cabinets by sanding, priming, and painting multiple coats before. It's a long haul of a project! You are right, it makes the countertop look great!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Designing DomesticityDecember 12, 2010 at 12:20 PM

    Looks amazing. Want all the details as my husband wants to put our remodel on hold and DIY-it instead.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Megandvd@Beauty in the AttemptDecember 12, 2010 at 12:35 PM

    Oh...it looks GREAT! It always amazes me how much refreshment a can of paint can change the whole look. Good job my dear!!!

    Cheers~
    e

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen December 12, 2010 at 12:59 PM

    It really does look likely a totally different space. Well done! I am in the minority in blogland, but I like dark cabinets-just not oak! Believe me, at my last home I had oak cabinets, if only I'd realized that paint was the answer!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The one and only LadyDecember 12, 2010 at 1:47 PM

    Definately worth the money! It's amazing what $50 worth of paint can do for ANY room!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jenny @ chalkboarddinners.blogspot.comDecember 12, 2010 at 1:59 PM

    Congrats on an amazing job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beth@Wiccan Make Some TooDecember 12, 2010 at 2:02 PM

    Looks great! I bet you are so glad you finally that project done!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sanctuary HomeDecember 12, 2010 at 2:57 PM

    Congratulations for just doing it! Totally worth every penny, I'm sure. You are going to love your new white cabinets, and all of the money you saved doing it yourself. : )
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  10. StephanieDecember 12, 2010 at 5:13 PM

    That looks fantastic! I need to paint mine too. I'm so not motivated to start that project. Did you paint the insides too?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Denise @ Simply WeekendsDecember 12, 2010 at 8:30 PM

    Wow, that looks so great! I'm trying to spot ways I can "lighten" up areas in my home, too. Thanks for the idea!

    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  12. Karen The Graphics FairyDecember 12, 2010 at 8:46 PM

    What a great transformation!! The white makes a huge difference and you can't beat the price!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousDecember 12, 2010 at 9:05 PM

    Oh, your newly painted kitchen is worth $100s! It looks fantastic. What a good job you did and it's so pretty and fresh. I just love white painted cabinets. I have them too! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. DebbiedoosDecember 12, 2010 at 9:17 PM

    That looks fantastic! It really does brighten it right up....good job!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Something Nice and PrettyDecember 12, 2010 at 9:52 PM

    Oh so worth the money, what a difference! I want to do mine so bad!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bonnie @ House of GraceDecember 12, 2010 at 11:23 PM

    Great job! So clean, new and fresh looking! Thanks for linking up!
    Bonnie :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gillian LayneDecember 12, 2010 at 11:28 PM

    Wow, wow, wow! I'm feeling inspired to grab those paint brushes come January!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Becky@OrganizingMadeFunDecember 13, 2010 at 12:37 AM

    I love that you had great counter tops to begin with! But, the paint seriously did wonders! I love paint, too!! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Erika M.December 13, 2010 at 9:12 AM

    OMG, this looks amazing!!! How long did that take you??

    ReplyDelete
  20. A Hint of HomeDecember 13, 2010 at 10:34 AM

    what a transformation! Looks absolutely amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Bonnie@Creative DecoratingDecember 13, 2010 at 11:37 AM

    The cabinets look great!! Makes the kitchen so fresh and new! I did the same thing in my kitchen and just love it!! I am having a giveaway if you would like to enter!! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  22. SevenbeadsDecember 13, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    What a wonderful difference. So much brighter. Great post to show what a difference a change can make.

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousDecember 13, 2010 at 4:00 PM

    The white looks great. It looks like a new kitchen. How long did it take and did you remove the cabinet fronts to paint them or leave them on?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sarah, Three BoysDecember 13, 2010 at 4:16 PM

    It took about 40 hours total. And no i did it the lazy way and didn't take them off. If I could have done it all at once I would have. But I could only work on it in the evenings so it took A LOT of evenings.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Simply DomesticDecember 13, 2010 at 6:19 PM

    Looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Kelli WDecember 14, 2010 at 9:23 AM

    This is an amazing transformation! I love the white cabinets. And you are so right about the counters looking so much better with the white!

    ReplyDelete
  27. KateDecember 14, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    What a huge difference! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  28. LenaDecember 14, 2010 at 10:20 AM

    Love it! I also painted my cabinets and it makes SUCH a difference!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sarah @ ImSimplySarahDecember 14, 2010 at 10:48 AM

    I love it and I love that you had the guts to just do it. I have decent cabinetry...it's only 6 years old. But it's almost the same color as yours. It doesn't make my kitchen dark, but i just dont like it. I just haven't had the guts to attempt this. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  30. oldgreymareDecember 14, 2010 at 8:49 PM

    A great job- painted mine years ago- so I know how much work is involved....

    : D
    merry merry

    z

    ReplyDelete
  31. Entertaining WomenDecember 14, 2010 at 10:04 PM

    You have my admiration! Painting cabinets is a huge job. Thank you for sharing your wonderful results. Cherry Kay

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownDecember 15, 2010 at 5:54 AM

    Well done you its a beautiful kitchen

    ReplyDelete
  33. time worn interiorsDecember 15, 2010 at 9:00 AM

    I'm always amazed at what a couple of can's of paint and some elbow grease can do! Great job!
    Theresa
    aka:tot

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownDecember 16, 2010 at 8:37 AM

    Your white cabinets look great. I've been tossing the idea around for years of painting mine - still not sure... I did paint my walls white though and that was a huge improvement. You are right, your granite looks FAB now!!! Are your cabinets oak, maple? Mine are pine, hence my hesitation. Not sure it's worth it, they are pretty warped and worn and I'm afraid painting mine will just show all those imperfections where the stain hides them pretty well!

    I found you via White Wednesdays - I'm going to follow you. Maybe you'll stop by my blog and follow me back if you like it? Thanks so much!

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  35. Paint It ForwardDecember 16, 2010 at 2:48 PM

    UGGHH! Completely dreading the same project BUT I have asked for a paint sprayer from Santa so I am getting closer to tackling! Did you take the cabinet doors off??? Any tips would be helpful - I love the tip of mixing half primer half paint!

    THANKS!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Tanya (a Taste of T)December 16, 2010 at 4:13 PM

    Looks great and DEFINITELY worth the $50. Looks like a country kitchen now. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. TammyDecember 16, 2010 at 4:47 PM

    Looks wonderful. I love the tip of 1/2 and 1/2. I had never heard of that. Isn't it amazing how white paint just changes things dramatically?
    tammy

    ReplyDelete
  38. AbbyDecember 16, 2010 at 9:22 PM

    LOVE the new look! That was a very well spent $50!

    ReplyDelete
  39. padacsDecember 17, 2010 at 4:40 AM

    your blog is excellent! really nice looking
    Santoku Knife

    ReplyDelete
  40. Meredith @ Welcome to HeardmontDecember 17, 2010 at 9:40 AM

    Yes, definitely worth it! We did the same thing to our 80s brown cabinets when we moved in and it made a world of difference. Wish we'd been blessed with granite like you were though! :) Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Paige @ Little NostalgiaDecember 17, 2010 at 10:27 AM

    Found you from the Remodelaholic party! That's an amazing transformation for $50.

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousDecember 19, 2010 at 12:16 AM

    Totally awesome. We did the same thing to our kitchen this summer and it has made such a big difference! Looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Miss Mustard SeedJanuary 6, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    This kitchen makeover is amazing!! I love how the white cabinets made such a difference. Wonderful job. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Melanie {The Tiny Tudor}January 7, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Looks wonderful! I am planning on painting my kitchen cabintes this spring. Did you sand your cabintes first? I am really hoping I can skip this step!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    So no sanding? I'm so nervous. I've been putting mine off for a long time, too. People told me you have to wash them really good with tsp and then sanding and then primer and then paint. UgH.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Nicole BJanuary 15, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    I'm blog hopping and this post caught my eye. I love the transformation that paint made, money well spent for sure. It looks great! I also love how you have jars and all neatly on the shelves. Did you the the doors off the cabinets or anything like that? I wonder if mine would look weird if I did the same. Hmmm...

    ReplyDelete
  47. Gina AlfaniJanuary 20, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Love the transformation! Thanks for the tip on the second coat using 1/2 primer, 1/2 paint :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. ShannonFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    I'm just now discovering this! FANTASTIC job!!!! your kitchen was great before-- not it is fantastic! You have some great counter space! (can you detect the jealousy in that last comment :))

    ReplyDelete
  49. The Vintique ObjectMay 12, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    I had to come see, and I will picture your AMAZING $50 transformation as I paint, paint, paint!

    Got the first coat of primer up on one box and two doors today. At this rate, I've calculated that it will take me 24 days to finish! Which really means 48, right?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Comeca JonesMay 20, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Love the white so much better!

    ReplyDelete
  51. RicaJuly 17, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    What a transformation, it looks absolutely beautiful. Amazing what paint can do, i have white cabinets myself and i just think it makes it look more open, elegant, and calming.

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousOctober 13, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Yes, worth the $50 for sure! I think this is fabulous and I've got you linked to my kitchen cabinets post too today, for inspiration!

    ReplyDelete

I Love Comments! Your comments are why I blog so keep them coming!!