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The $554 Kitchen Upgrade
We bought an older house with a 1970s kitchen. Kitchens were much smaller then. The basics were still in good condition but it was very ugly, including wood panelling throughout. We have updated it for about $600. The updates are a mix of the practical and the cosmetic:
1. Paint: we painted the whole room and cabinets. This included painting the wood panelling. A lot of people warned against us doing that but we painted it an off white and it looks beautiful and rustic, like a country kitchen. Cost: $200.
2. Curtains: I wanted a specific print, that I ordered from Spoonflower. While this was more expensive than a trip to Spotlight, I got exactly what I wanted. My sister sewed them for me as a gift. Cost: $74.
3. Hanging rack: I read a lot of kitchen design books and decided I wanted a hanging pot and utensil rack, but when I priced these online they cost over $120 and were not nice. I decided I could make my own, and bought the separate parts from Bunnings. It's a great statement piece in our kitchen and always invites comments. And it is very useful. Cost: $80.
4. Interesting art: I have collected together art from my kids, a brass plaque that belonged to my grandmother, and a couple of pieces I paid for, and hung in matching frames. Cost: $200.
We spend a great deal of time in our kitchen so it's important that it is a space that we like. Our mini makeover was cheap and took some time but now it's a room that makes me feel happy to be in.
Contributed by Amanda Tulloch
1. Paint: we painted the whole room and cabinets. This included painting the wood panelling. A lot of people warned against us doing that but we painted it an off white and it looks beautiful and rustic, like a country kitchen. Cost: $200.
2. Curtains: I wanted a specific print, that I ordered from Spoonflower. While this was more expensive than a trip to Spotlight, I got exactly what I wanted. My sister sewed them for me as a gift. Cost: $74.
3. Hanging rack: I read a lot of kitchen design books and decided I wanted a hanging pot and utensil rack, but when I priced these online they cost over $120 and were not nice. I decided I could make my own, and bought the separate parts from Bunnings. It's a great statement piece in our kitchen and always invites comments. And it is very useful. Cost: $80.
4. Interesting art: I have collected together art from my kids, a brass plaque that belonged to my grandmother, and a couple of pieces I paid for, and hung in matching frames. Cost: $200.
We spend a great deal of time in our kitchen so it's important that it is a space that we like. Our mini makeover was cheap and took some time but now it's a room that makes me feel happy to be in.
Contributed by Amanda Tulloch