Updated on August 14, 2024
Kitchen Makeover: Update #1. Progress on our DIY kitchen remodel, including affordable options for kitchen hardware like knobs and hinges.
The kitchen remodel is coming along – s.l.o.w.l.y. But we have made some progress. Since we are doing everything ourselves and have small kids, everything takes longer than we think.
Time and money can be hard to come by as a new family working on a kitchen makeover.
Here is what we have done so far:
- Joint tape and three coats of spackle (plus sanding) on the majority of kitchen seams
- Stained and polyurethane the random cabinet added by the previous homeowner that was bare wood
- Ripped off the ugly dark green tile around the edge of the countertop and backsplash – all I can say about that is that it was super gross
- Ordered new cabinet hardware from eBay for $82.50 – 46 hinges, 11 knobs, and 23 pulls
None of the original hardware in the kitchen matches. There are gold hinges, white and gold handles, and then copper-colored knobs. Updating the hardware was a must to have everything match and update from the 90s gold.
We decided to use an oil-rubbed bronze finish for all the hardware. This matches the ceiling fan that I redid. This fan is in our living room, right off the kitchen.
If you have looked at hardware prices, you know they can be VERY expensive. We were able to get a great deal on eBay, so my advice to you is to shop around. Check eBay, Amazon, and even Facebook marketplace, as you may get lucky and find someone else updating their kitchen.
Items to complete in the kitchen:
- Finish spackling a few spots – like where we ripped off the tile backsplash
- Paint trim around windows and ceiling
- Prime the walls
- Paint the walls
- Install (after priming and painting) new baseboard trim
- Attach new cabinet hardware
- Rip off old laminate on counters
- Tile countertops and backsplash
Slow and steady wins the race!