Kitchen Updates on a Budget

When we moved into a older home and downsized, I knew that I would have to make some changes, but like life some were complete surprises. We started with a bathroom that someone could actually turn around in, but the kitchen continued to call my name. I purchased a new refrigerator when I saw a great clearance deal. When it was delivered, I had it placed in the garage while we finished other projects. A month later, I wanted my new refrigerator in the house.

1. Matching appliances make the room look like a cohesive unit. Often cabinet type, color, or style will dictate what finishes go with when you do change appliances.

The refrigerator wouldn't fit through the doorway going into the house - too wide.

• It also wouldn't fit through the garage door into the house. Also it wouldn't fit in the back door going directly into the kitchen. Ideas?

1. Take the frame off the garage door to the house and then move the refrigerator through.
2. Before we started we measured the pocket door from the dining room into the kitchen and - the next surprise. The kitchen pocket door was too narrow.

We had to widen the doorway!!!!

1. We took out the wall just enough to widen the doorway.
2. We had a new idea. What about taking out half of the remaining wall down and put in a bar to open up the area? We would have a small breakfast area and an extra buffet area for family dinners. What a great idea!!!\
3. When half of the wall came down, the bottom potion was so poorly constructed that we decided to tear the wall completely down.

The wall came down and it opened up the area nicely. Little did we know that all the long support planks are not a standard size. So, after we made several trips to the hardware.

1. We gave up on buying a standard size board . They didn't fit.
2. My husband cut the boards down to size. Now, let me say my husband is extremely neat and precise. The board came out beautifully. If I had cut the boards they may have looked like modern art.

The renovation was all done for less than $300.00, not counting the cost of the appliances. Our house had appliances were different colors, so I couldn't stand it any more.

Picking your paint color

• One thing you should do is buy sample cans and try them on the wall for a few days.Try to use wall board/drywall as paint stick or other paints will absorb differently.
• This was one time I didn't do this, and the results were a little different than I expected.
• I went with a grey that was a medium saturation (middle chip of the 3 chip sample). It went on almost white, and I now believe that the deeper saturation would have looked more grey when dry, but I do like it.

I walked through 30 new homes at a Home show to get the feel for what colors were popular, and how they might look with different cabinets, hardware, and floor covering. I was surprised at how much grey there was this particular year and how many had painted kitchen cabinets.

Also, if you are thinking about adding an island, this year the designers were putting different painted finishes and different counter type finishes together in one room.

Window Dressings

As I mentioned earlier this was a reno on a budget, so some beautiful options were out of consideration immediately.

Roman Shades were on sale. I chose a Navy. Buying color shades gave a custom look. I don't think DIY could have made them cheaper, and it certainly save me a lot of trouble.

We have plans for wood floors throughout the house, but often things have to be finished in stages I decided to improve the floors, but not break the bank. I installed peal and stick tiles that look like grey slate, with a light grey grout. We have had several people ask if the floors were real slate tiles. What's better then a compliment when you have worked hard, even on a budget.

We did improve the kitchen temporarily.

• I am going to cover the kitchen chair seats. It will only take about 1/2 yard of decorator fabric. Those pictures will follow.
• Also, I forgot to tell you, the refrigerator is 1/8 inch too tall. We have to use the jizsaw to trim the bottom of a small cabinet. It was just enough to push the refrigerator in and the cabinet is still useable for storage but I am not sure why they put cabinets over a tall refrigerator.
• AND, so we understand the theme of this story. We also have to reverse the doors on the refrigerator, so it will work better in the room. This will be another hub, I'm sure.

But all in all it is looking good. I feel like it is mine. I hope it inspires you to try an update on a budget - and hopefully with fewer problems.