Dated Kitchen Looks Completely Unrecognizable After A $95 Makeover

She was able to update her dated kitchen, making it a completely modern space for just $95.

As we get older, we realize that things don’t come cheap – especially around the house. And kitchen renovations are one of those that can easily cost a small fortune. However, sometimes a little creativity can go a long way in terms of updating your kitchen without requiring you to sell a kidney on the black market.

As it turns out, the secret to a pretty cost-effective kitchen makeover is a fresh coat of paint.

Jeanette Lockmiller-Stretch runs a DIY and home decorating blog called Snazzy Little Things. Lockmiller-Stretch just updated her dated kitchen, making it a completely modern space. And the best part of the transformation was it only cost $95!

Photo: Jeanette Lockmiller-Stretch / Snazzy Little Things

Lockmiller-Stretch told TODAY Home, “We purchased this house a year ago. At the time we placed our offer, my husband and I agreed that several cosmetic changes were needed to modernize the house. The first order of business was to apply a fresh coat of paint on every wall, in every room.”

Her cherry wood cabinets hadn’t been meshing well with the color scheme that she had selected for her new house when she decided to look for something to match. “And when I saw that gray cabinets were on-trend, I went for it,” she said. “After all, it’s just paint.”

Photo: Jeanette Lockmiller-Stretch / Snazzy Little Things

She’d painted her cabinets in her previous house, so Lockmiller-Stretch was more than comfortable to do it again. “Our realtor said it not only modernized our space, but it also increased the resale value of our home,” she stated.

One of the things Lockmiller-Stretch learned the hard way from the two experiences is the utmost importance of prepping – don’t skip the prep!

“I recommend a thorough cleaning, followed by a light sanding with 220-grit sandpaper. Once clean, apply a stain-blocking primer,” she instructed.

After the primer was completely dry, she applied two coats of the gray, water-based enamel.

“I love enamel because it dries very hard allowing you to skip a topcoat. I prefer to use an angled craft brush occasionally dipped in water,” Lockmiller-Stretch said. “Dipping your brush in water keeps a wet edge and leaves no brush strokes.”

The project was completed last December, and the cabinets have held up well ever since. “There hasn’t been a single scratch.”

Photo: Jeanette Lockmiller-Stretch / Snazzy Little Things

“The new-look completely transformed our first floor. And now we know that a kitchen cabinet paint project does, in fact, add value to your home. It’s a beautiful, yet economical option for kitchens that have ‘good bones’ and don’t require a major remodel,” Lockmiller-Stretch added.

You can check out more pictures and tips at Snazzy Little Things.