Before & after: 1 kitchen, 3 different renovations
A bright and sparkling new kitchen is the holy grail for any renovator, but without an architect or designer on board, it can be hard to imagine a drab kitchen as anything but.
If you’re planning on doing a kitchen makeover yourself, the first ingredient you need is imagination. After that, it’s all about confidence.
Anything is possible with DIY – behold this ’70s-style kitchen in Melbourne. It was renovated a total of three times by a team of people varying in skillsets and trade qualifications.
The cost of the kitchen renos ranged from under $1,500 at the most affordable end to under $16,000 for the most expensive.
Here are the results…
BEFORE
Dark, dreary and overrun with yellow pine and green. Picture: Bunnings
AFTER
1. French Industrial
Pendant lights, thick timber benchtops and an island bench to centralise the space have made this chic French Industrial kitchen look come together.
Bunnings design consultant Leanne Watson says the industrial elements, such as solid timber benchtops, exposed galvanised pipe, suspended bulbs and rustic flooring, provide the raw features typical of an industrial space.
The addition of a printed brick splashback, profiled cabinet doors and black hardware bring a French flair to the kitchen.
“The fusion of French provincial and industrial elements create a kitchen with a point of difference,” Leanne says. “The use of a printed brick splashback is a simple and effective DIY solution that fuses the two styles together.”
An elevated ceiling and island bench opens up the space. Picture: Bunnings
Materials used in this project:
- Assorted Kaboodle kitchen cabinetry (Antique White/Alpine)
- Marquee Antique Pull Handle 128mm Matt Black Pk of 4
- Kaboodle Modular European Oak Benchtop 2250mm x 900mm
- Bellessi Printed Splashback
Rough cost estimate: Under $16,000
2. Monochrome
This streamlined, Scandi-inspired look is kept simple with a monochrome colour palette and classic touches, such as the marble-look benchtop.
A DIY wire vertical garden brings a freshness and touch of greenery to the minimalistic look, anchored by bold black pendant lights.
“This kitchen is a renovation of the existing layout without relocating services and utilising product stocked in our warehouses,” says Leanne.
“We installed a brand new, stylish and appealing kitchen that’s both affordable and DIY-friendly.”
A look of classic simplicity without the burden of shifting power outlets or making structural changes. Picture: Bunnings
Materials used in this project:
- Brilliant 240V Black Alexander Pendant Light
- Mondella Rumba Sink Mixer (tap)
- Windoware Escreen roller Blind, Graphite
- Mosaic Marble Look Hexagon Tiles – Coulson
- Mable look laminate benchtop – Kaboodle Modular Vanilla Cream
- Vinyl Plank timber look flooring – Senso Urban Black Tech Self Adhesive Vinyl Planks
Rough cost estimate: Under $9,000
3. Simple
The most affordable of the renovations, this pared-back kitchen just goes to show the wonders a bit of a tidy-up and lick of paint can do.
Bold choices of black and grey laminate paints paired with white tile and benchtop finishes allows the timber-look breakfast table to be the stylish and functional focal point of this kitchen. Pops of colour from the painted stools and concrete-look floor tiles add a contemporary lift.
Leanne says those on a budget could achieve a similar dramatic transformation to their kitchen using very cost-effective solutions.
“Paint finishes provide a quick, easy update to tired surfaces,” she says. “Cost-effective vinyl stick-down flooring is a very simple, durable and DIY-friendly way to freshen an outdated look.”
Concrete-look flooring and pops of pink make for a contemporary, low-cost renovation. Picture: Bunnings
Materials used in this project:
- Kaboodle Hickory Maple laminate benchtop
- White Knight Laminate paint & tile paint
- Senso Urban Loft Dark Vinyl Tiles
- Rustoleum Diamond White Benchtop Transformation Kit
Rough cost estimate: Under $1,500
First Published on realestate.com.au
