How I'm Renovating My Kitchen On A Budget

In a little more than a month we are embarking on our first major kitchen renovation. I know from my line of work budgets for a kitchen reno can start around $30k. My goal is to use my industry knowledge, and maybe a few discounts to pull off a renovation for $15,000. As with my kid’s bath in 2021, I did some of the work myself to save money. For the kitchen, we are planning to do the demo and build the cabinets ourselves, as well source and contract myself.

Keep reading to see where my kitchen started, what I’ve done previously, and the full rundown for plans this renovation.


This is the kitchen when we moved in in 2018.


Back in 2019, I worked with what I had and gave the kitchen a cosmetic update.

Then in 2021 I painted the floors.


Last summer I removed the soffit above the sink and most recently, I added an Ikea hack pantry.



Unfortunately I can’t open up the walls or make and major layout changes, but I can improve the function and the aesthetics. The main pain points for the current kitchen is the condition and function of the cabinets. I believe they are original to the house, circa 1984. While I made major improvements by painting and updating the hardware, the doors don’t close all the way, drawer sizes leave something to be desired and the pantry has always been an issue.

Below are a couple images of material mixes that inspired the selection direction.



What changes are we making?

Changing out the cabinets, countertop, backsplash, sink and faucet. Taking out the current pantry and moving the fridge to its current location. Possibly removing the soffit on the range side.


Are we getting all new appliances?

No, well, probably not. We already got a new fridge back in October, because ours was on the fritz, which was one of the prompts for the renovation. Definitely getting a drawer microwave. At this point, I am not planning to replace the stainless steel electric range, but I do have my eye on this one, should we come in under budget. I would love a new dishwasher, as ours is black, but it still works, so I will likely keep until it dies.


Where am I in the process?

Back in December I had a kitchen planning appointment with Ikea. I had already done my best to measure and map out that I wanted in the kitchen design software on their site, so I had a leg up on the appointment. Melissa, the kitchen specialist I worked with, was awesome. She was able to adapt my design and gather all the info to build me a plan and shopping list.


LKC Ikea Kitchen Plans

LKC Ikea Kitchen Plans

What hard finishes did I select?

Once I decided to go in the Ikea direction, I had already selected the Semi Handmade fronts, I plan to use, Quarterline in Stone. In my dream kitchen I have a beautiful, bold stone countertop and matching backsplash. I had it quoted that way and I decided to with the look for less. We are planning to do quiet warm, white quartz countertops, Caesarstone Riverlet and a really pretty marble-look porcelain on the range side backsplash. On the sink side, planning a zelliege tile, but still a little up in the air on the actual selection.


I plan to do an extensive cost breakdown and talk about where I am allocating the $15,000 in the coming weeks.

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed

Long before we moved into this house, when Ollie was still in a crib, I knew I had already put this DIY on “my list.” While visiting a friend’s house I complimented the pair of upholstered twin beds in his guest room and he informed me that they were DIY Ikea hacks. I was so impressed that I insisted that he send me the tutorial. So this project is based on that tutorial, it’s not completely original, but I did improvise as they did not have the bed frame in stock that I wanted to use, so instead I had to use the cheaper Nieden Frame. Seeing the before and after of this project proves what an anchor a headboard can be. This beautiful green-grey upholstered bed frame really makes the room.

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed

BEFORE


DIY Upholstered Bed

AFTER


Ikea Hack Upholstered bed

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed

SUPPLIES


STEP 1. Screw plywood to front of existing headboard.

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed

STEP 2. use the 1”x3” lumber to build a “box as shown below.

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed
DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed

STEP 3. Cut batting and wrap side rails and foot of bed. Use the staple gun to secure in place. Careful to keep the corners and edges as clean as possible. I took several photos below to best show my wrapping technique.

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed
DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed
DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed

STEP 4. Cut and wrap the headboard with batting. I used the remainder of batting to wrap the top edge and corners with an extra layer. Use the staple gun to secure in place.

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed

STEP 5. Cut and wrap the head board with fabric or blanket. Fold the corners and trim to keep as clean as possible. Again, I added detailed shots to try and show how I folded and tucked the fabric.

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed
  • I did not finish the back of the headboard, since I knew it would be hidden.

DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed
DIY Ikea Hack Upholstered Bed

STEP 7. Cut and wrap the side rails and foot. Secure in place with staple gun. Again, play around with folding and tucking at the corners to get the cleanest look.

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Ikea Hack // Kid's Play Kitchen

Oliver turned 2 last week!  If you haven't been following along, we celebrated in Disney World!  More to come on that, but before we left we gave the birthday boy his gift, a play kitchen.  Every time we've gone to a friend's who has one, he runs right to it.  He also tells me literally everyday that he makes pizza in the kitchen at school, plus if you ever look at my Instagram stories, you will know he loves to help momma make dinner and bake cakes.  I knew I wanted to get him one for his birthday, and I knew it had to be a special one.  So I called in the DIY guns to hack the Ikea Duktig kid's play kitchen and styled it out with a few lovely details, including this felt letter menu.  Keep reading to find out exactly what I did and to see adorable photos of Ollie opening his present.  

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SUPPLIES

Before assembly, spray paint the the base and shelf pieces.  All pieces that are not already white, except for the counter top.  

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I sanded, pre-stained and stained the counter top to make it a few shades darker

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The subway tile backsplash is actually foam board with sharpie drawn tiles!  I was planning something much more complicated, but I had these supplies and it looks just as good as what I was thinking.  

Once you assemble, replace the plastic handles with the metal ones, using the extra bolts (not the ones that come with the knobs). 

Drill three holes under the stove to add the knobs.  

Style with charm!  

Ikea Hack // Fauxdenza

I know I know this isn't a unique project, but it's one I've wanted to do for so long!  Many of the other media stations I actually liked were upwards of $1000, and this DIY cost about $300.  I love the clean look of the streamlined entertainment center.  Most of the other tutorials I found don't go the extra step and finish trimming off the bottom of the piece with a wood panel, but I really think it looks much more finished when framed out entirely.  Hope you're inspired to make an Ikea run this weekend!! 

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Supplies:

Tools:

Step 1: Assemble the cabinets.

Step 2. cut a hole in the back of the cabinet for the outlet.

Step 3. Hang cabinets.  This step, I actually had help with, my father-in-law lent a hand in following the Ikea directions and installing.

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Step 4. prepare the trim of the fauxdenza. I had them cut the plywood for me at Home Depot.  Four pieces:

  1. Top - the length of the cabinets plus 1 5/8" to cover the side panels, and depth of the cabinets, with doors, plus about 1/4" - (for ours 91 5/8" x 15 3/8")

  2. Bottom - the length of the cabinets plus 1 5/8" to cover the side panels, and depth of the cabinets without the doors, MINUS about 1" to leave room for cords.  Note - the bottom panel cannot be under doors, or you will not be able to open - (for ours 91 5/8" x 14")

  3. Sides, cut 2 - depth of the cabinets with doors plus 1/2" (same as top piece), height of cabinets - (for ours 20" x 15 3/8")

Step 4: Follow the instructions to add the plywood edge tape on three sides for the top and bottom panels and just one long side on each of the side panels.

Step 5. Sand and stain the trim. 

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Step 6. install the trim.  Start with the side panels, use wood glue and the brad nailer to attach to sides of cabinets.  Line up with top and front of cabinet. 

Next install the top panel, and secure in place with wood glue and the brad nailer.  Line up with front of cabinet and edge of side panels.

 Finally grab a partner to hold the bottom panel in place and generously use the brad nailer to secure.  Line up with side panels and cabinet body (not doors).

Step 7. Drill a hole in the top of the cabinet with 1 1/2" bit, for the wires to feed through.  

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Step 8. Style and enjoy!

Ikea Hack // Mid-Century Dresser

Our upstairs hallway bath is one of the first major remodel projects I want to tackle down the road.  Eventually I hope to add a shower and make it more functional as a kids bath.  But for now, I changed out the mirror, and painted over the horrid gold color that was on the wall with some navy paint I actually had left over from our apartment in the city.  The bathroom is pretty small, but it was also completely empty, so I decided it needed a little dresser, but since this room is used so rarely, I didn't want to spend a lot of money.  Enter this week's edition of #kosterhouse Ikea Hacks!  

I just loved what Sarah Sherman Samuel did with her Tarva dresser for her son's nursery.  I took that idea and put my own spin on it for our little hallway bathroom.  I opted for the smaller, three drawer model.  Like Sarah, I painted, shaped the legs and changed out the hardware.  Keep reading to get the step by step.      

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MATERIALS:

STEP 1: Assemble the dresser, but do not add the base, the legs or the knobs.

STEP 2: Fill the knob holes with spackling.  Let dry, then sand smooth.

STEP 3: Spray paint the body and drawers.  I recommend taping off the insides to keep them looking nice.  You will probably need a couple coats.

STEP 4: measure and drill for your new wider pulls.

STEP 4: Cut the legs on an angle.  I used a miter saw, but my blade wasn't big enough for a smooth cut.  I worked, but I don't think it's the best tool for this job.

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STEP 5: Pre-stain/Stain the legs and base.  

STEP 6: Finish assembly.

Ikea Hack // Desk Two Ways

Hi friends, hope you had a lovely weekend.  I am back with another Ikea Hack.  This one is so simple it'll leave you saying "duh!"  I took the $40 Vittsjo laptop desk and made it look much, much more expensive than that.  This is seriously so simple I don't even have a tutorial for you.  I went Home Depot and had a piece of wood cut to 39 1/2" x 14 1/4".  Don't use plywood unless you like the look of the stacked edges.  I used this 18" wide pine board.  I stained the board with Minwax Polyshades in Mission Oak.  Set the board on top and voila!  Told you it was easy!  If you are using this piece of furniture a lot, I would advise gluing the top to the base.  And, for the vanity I spray painted the base white for a slightly more feminine look.  

Here is the finished Vittsjo hack in my bedroom as a vanity.  

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