6 Kitchens, 6 DIY Updates

smoore I'm always amazed at what small changes like a new countertop can make to a kitchen. These are some great transformations! Just goes to show that sometimes a complete gut job is an unnecessary expense.

natashabasova Get inspired? Sorry but i feel like i wanna hire contractor after seeing those DIY updates .Those changes look absolutely tasteless and new owner will use "after" pictures as "before" pictures.

Jake Number 1 seems to be the only one that is really complete. Changes in flooring and kitchen space really stood out and helped to give it a new feeling.

Number 6 was a close one but I'm wondering why the use of a mirror above the sink and not an actual pass-thru? The fact that the lighting above the sink as well as only one side has under-lighting makes it feel incomplete to me.

SPACIFY INC, @Vanessa Brunner That is an excellent point to note! Thank you. just sooo amazing Kitchens.

olldbobbi As a person who lives on a shoestring budget every day, I for one am happy to see kitchens redone on a realistic amount of money. #1 is fabulous; #2 is a little too cluttered for my taste but incredibly better than its before, #4 is just plain great. My only negative would be the refrigerator in #6 is screaming "Look at me! Look at me!". At least from this angle, it's huge!!!

lucindalane ITA, Bobbie P. Not every one has an extra $25,000 to spend-either out of their own pocket or the bank's-on a complete remodel. These ladies basically did what the professionals would do, they just did the work themselves and didn't pay someone to go and buy something at an exclusive place that only designers have access to. That's wonderful if you can afford it, but if you can't, you shouldn't have to just keep the older things just because you can't fix everything. I have to admit it makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes when people are talking about ripping out this, or that, when its salvageable. I have actually stopped watching so many of the DYI shows because I have gotten where I can't bear to watch them take a sledge hammer, or a crowbar, to something that could possibly be salvaged and recycled. Sometimes I think that if a cabinet is golden oak, that seems to be the kiss of death for the cabinets. Does any one like real wood finishes any more-especially if they aren't mahogany or cherry?
Sorry. I'll get off of my soapbox now, but it does seem like-for so much money to be spent-that there are so many things wasted.

Mike So I wanted to share my kitchen update results. Is it perfect no, but I spent less than $3500 and that includes the appliances. I did the work myself and couldn't justify the cost of replacing the cabinets, so I reused the existing cabinets and found some new ones that matched close enough to use for the island.

I'm really happy with the results and I think it shows that anyone can make a big impact with a small budget.

Here is the project link:

Lesley Hartwell These are all GREAT examples of how small changes make a big difference. Real photos of real kitchens, I enjoyed this article so thanks to everyone for sharing. I will be stealing the mirror idea for the same spot in my kitchen

pfmorgan1416 As the owner of #6...the mirror is there because its an outside wall of a garden home...no windows on that whole side of the house are possible; so the mirror is just to reflect a little light . There is under lighting on both sides, just didn't notice it in the photo. And believe it or not, that fridge is about the smallest you can get, I guess the poor angle makes it look huge, and it is a tiny kitchen. And to Natashabasova...not everyone can hire a contractor and not everyone wants a major change. I happen to like a homey kitchen and I LOVE the fact that I didn't spend any money! But tasteless? No, maybe not your style, but none of them are tasteless

colonialcat These kitchens won't be mistaken for ones found in Architectural Digest, but does every kitchen have to be perfectly designed and glam to be considered worthy of kudos? Attractive, functional spaces were created without spending a fortune. The bonus, imo, is, that they are unique, personal reflections of the owners' tastes and preferences. It is refreshing to see rooms that don't necessarily adhere to cookie cutter standards. They are not jaw-droppingly perfect, but they are fun, charming and unique.

We all love the glossy photos of upscale houses, most of which are executed by pro designers, but we don't want to lose sight of the beauty of more ordinary spaces. I offer my congratulations to the owners of these kitchens, and say, Good job...enjoy!

shellyh66 These are great changes for the small budgets involved. It's lovely to see what you can do short of a professional remodel. I especially love the dark spaces, like 1 & 4, that were lightened up so much -- that is a big plus in my part of the country. Also like the clever open shelving added on #2.

olldbobbi Mike, I followed your link and I wanted to tell you I really like the work you did. Especially losing the heart over the kitchen sink. Did you use the same lighting fixture over the table, just painted it? Very nice kitchen!

natashabasova @pfmorgan1416 -- I apologize for harsh comment -- and yes, you are absolutely right -- this is not my style, and those photos do not inspire me - this is my purely personal opinion. Just wanted to add in response to some other comments --- you don't need to invest $25,000 or hire a designer in order to achieve great results -- all you need are interesting and inspiring ideas -- and those ideas don't have to be expensive -- they just have to be interesting (unlike the photos in this article). I always look for better and cheaper solutions, and my kitchen was redone from top to bottom for under 6k, and that includes appliances. I was getting ideas from all over the web -- and yes, I do get tons of complements, and it did not cost me a fortune.

jackchampagne That last one added a window over the sink where there was none before. That had to cost more than the backsplash.

colonialcat Jack, that's a mirror, not a window! But it does fool the eye...nice idea!

Iyare I People are so rude these days. Just because a remodel is not to one's taste does not mean it isnt to the owners. I see some professional work that I dont personally like (and that I dont find inspiring) but still I give props for the attempts to improve. I like what everyone has done and i hope you all enjoy the remodels you've done. My mom always said, if you dont have anything nice to say, feel free to say NOTHING!

Mike Bobbie P, I replaced the tulip shaped glass shades with some more modern ones, I still need to paint the fixture.

olldbobbi Mike, in the before picture it looks brass and in the after it looks black. Either way, the kitchen looks great.

olldbobbi lyare I - I totally agree with you. We should keep our comments positive.

skolar @natashasabova. So where are the pictures of your fabulous remodel?

shiplesp My comment is just about how these before and afters are presented. I wish that they were presented side by side, and that both photos were taken from the same vantage point. It would make it easier for me to see the effect of the changes if I could easily compare the two.

I'm a big fan of small changes. Even a coat of paint can have an impact.

jackchampagne How great!! I had no idea that was a mirror!! Cool idea.