You may remember Krystol from the porch makeover she shared with us previously. She’s back with another impressive renovation: a full kitchen transformation that looks high-end but stayed well within a modest budget. Below is her account of the project and the details that made it successful.
Thank you so much for featuring our porch renovation on your blog. The response was incredible, and I wanted to share our latest project: the kitchen remodel. We removed everything down to the studs and rebuilt the space with new IKEA cabinets, new appliances, a laminate countertop, and my favorite feature: a zinc-topped work island. We created the island by wrapping the top half of an MDF sheet with zinc.
Although the previous owner had recently updated parts of the kitchen — tile, countertops, sink, dishwasher, and range — we kept the tile and the dishwasher, so not all of the prior work was discarded. The total cost of the remodel was about $8,000, which included cabinets ($3,000), appliances ($2,500), lighting ($400 — a splurge), paint, plumbing and electrical work, drywall, and tile. We completed nearly all the work ourselves with the help of my dad, a carpenter, and hired out only a few minor plumbing and electrical tasks. We picked up tile on clearance from a big-box store, and eventually drove two hours to find matching pieces — the typical adventures of DIY. Hope you enjoy! — Krystol
The before-and-after result is striking. The original, uninspired kitchen was completely reimagined into a warm, stylish farmhouse-style space that looks like it could belong in a shelter magazine, yet it was achieved affordably. Thoughtful details — like the mosaic backsplash and the custom range hood — were sourced from budget-friendly retailers, proving a high-end look doesn’t require a high-end price tag.
This remodel is particularly inspiring because the $8,000 budget covered everything from structural work and drywall to appliances and lighting. The project shows that careful planning, a willingness to tackle hands-on work, and smart sourcing can produce dramatic results without breaking the bank. Highlights include the custom zinc island, new countertops, fresh cabinets, and a mosaic backsplash that adds texture and visual interest.
Below is the list of sources and materials Krystol used, which can help anyone planning a similar kitchen refresh:
- Wall color: Horsetails — Martha Stewart (from Sherwin-Williams)
- Window sash color: Squirrel — Behr
- Cabinets: IKEA
- Cabinet hardware: Vintage lucite knobs purchased on an online auction site for about $1 each
- Mini mosaic tile: Purchased from a national home improvement retailer — installed with mastic on drywall and then grouted (easy since the area is not exposed to moisture)
- Lighting: A splurge purchase; similar fixtures can often be found at large retailers
- Zinc sheet for island counter: Ordered from a metal supplier
- Curtains: Made by hand
Krystol and her family handled nearly every aspect of the renovation themselves — from drywall to tiling to sewing curtains — which kept costs down and gave them full creative control. They blended affordable, widely available products with a couple of custom touches (like the zinc island) to achieve a polished, cohesive look.
What makes this remodel especially useful for readers is its practicality: it demonstrates how to combine budget-friendly products, secondhand or discounted finds, and hands-on work to create a kitchen with real character. Whether you’re drawn to the mosaic-backed range hood, the DIY zinc-topped island, or the bold window treatments, this project shows that thoughtful design and careful execution can transform an ordinary kitchen into something remarkable.
Share which element you like most — the range hood, the island, or the dramatic curtains — and consider this kitchen a proof-of-concept that smart, affordable remodeling is absolutely achievable.