Kitchen renovations at low cost

OVER the last few years, I have been slowly renovating my small kitchen.

I really enjoy doing do-it-yourself ( DIY) home renovations, and my kitchen desperately needed the update. The space felt very outdated and dysfunctional.

These updates range from small, quick fixes, too much more involved projects. Here are a few:

Cabinet handles

These are pretty straightforward to install — you just screw them in. The tricky part is making sure that they are centred and level with each other. When measuring, you need to take into consideration the size and shape of your handles. Cabinet handles usually come with either one or two screws. One-screw handles are pretty straightforward — just mark where you want it and drill. But if you are installing handles that have two screws, I recommend creating a template on a piece of paper that measures the difference between the holes. I used tape to make sure the paper did not shift.

Appliances

I really did not like the appearance of the existing appliances and I wanted to make the room look and feel modern. Not to mention, all of the old appliances came with the property when I bought it and were probably purchased second-hand.

They were on their last legs, so choosing to invest in new appliances ensured that I had reliable equipment. I purchased all of my new appliances — a microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator — which included professional installation, so I did not have to put in anything myself, except for the microwave. If you are getting an over-the-range microwave, definitely ask someone for help!

Sink

If you are not comfortable with plumbing, this is where I would recommend you use a professional. If not, you need to always make sure you turn off your main water line before you begin, or you are going to get soaked. Installing the sink itself was pretty easy if you go with a topmounted configuration. I say it took some trial and error when getting all of the piping set up, to make sure everything was connected and neatly positioned under the sink.

Flooring

Installing flooring can feel like a daunting task, and it does take some time, but overall, it is not overly complicated. It all boils down to measuring (and re-measuring), cutting and locking each piece in place. I used three different power saws to complete this project – a miter saw, jigsaw and table saw. As I am someone who really enjoys DIY projects, I decided to invest and purchase my own saws, because I can use them for multiple projects.

Painting

I painted over my tan walls with a bright, light blue, to add some brightness and colour to the kitchen and make everything look a little less brown (I had brown floors, brown walls, and brown backsplash with white cabinets). If you are new to painting walls, I would just recommend that you take your time and try to cover everything you can with canvas tarps or old sheets or blankets, to protect your furniture or appliances from accidental drips. Use a flat, wide brush to create a border around your room in more detailed areas, like near cabinets and backsplash, the ceiling, moulding etcetera.

Then use a roller to fill in the larger areas. Overall, I feel like these updates make my kitchen both more visually appealing and functional. The light blue paint colour really opens up the room and adds a pop of colour, the space definitely needed. I am happy with what I have completed so far, and I am excited to take on more projects in the future. — freshome.