New $1275 kitchen

 

 

Typical of 1970s-style decor this kitchen had dark brown veneered cabinets and exposed brick, a long, narrow shelf and a tiled benchtop with matching low splashback. The cupboard doors and kickboard had discoloured and the linoleum flooring was worn.

On the bright side, the classic U-shaped layout was functional with good access to cabinets, and the sink was positioned below the window for natural light while working. The tiles were unchipped, the grout looked good and the door handles were still in reasonable condition.

The idea was to brighten up the space by using plenty of white paint. With a budget of just $1300, the solutions had to be cost-effective.

Fix damaged veneer on the doors and cabinets, remove the handles for reusing and smooth the doors.

Paint the surfaces including the cabinets, doors and window frames, and dismantle the mini shelf to paint the brick wall.

 

Replace damaged flooring with new vinyl tile flooring and add a movable island bench for extra storage.