I took my council kitchen from drab to fab on the cheap – a £10 Amazon bargain made a huge difference
TRANSFORMING your home on a budget isn’t always easy, but this woman took her drab council house kitchen and made it totally unrecognisable.
Sadie Glover’s kitchen had definitely seen better days before she got to work updating it.
With faded paint, old worktops and no colour, she had her work cut out.
But that didn’t stop her from creating the kitchen of my dreams, and she took to the popular Facebook group DIY on a budget to share the impressive before and after snaps, leaving people stunned.
Alongside the pictures she wrote: “My budget council kitchen makeover.
“I really wanted a sage kitchen but chickened out and went for off white instead.”
Sadie revealed she spent £25 on some MDF, which she had cut down at her local hardware shop, as well as £25 on some rust oleum cupboard paint in the shade antique white.
Timeless by Dulux was used on the wall, which was another £30, but it was the cabinet handles from Amazon that were the real bargain at just a tenner.
“It’s no we’re near perfect and so many imperfections, things I’d do differently if I were to do it again but I’m really happy with how it turned out,” Sadie said,
“It feels so much more cosy now,” she added.
Fellow DIY fans were equally as impressed by the transformation, as one commented on the post: “It looks amazing.”
Another chimed in: “Looks great!! I did something similar. Love the shelves, I am looking for something similar.”
“Wow, looks lovely, well done you,” someone else said.
The new cabinet hands gave the kitchen a much more modern feel, while the fresh lick of paint worked wonders for brightening the space up.
Meanwhile, the strip of LED lights under the cabinets gave the kitchen a luxurious feel without the hefty price tag.
She also added some baskets on top of the cupboards for extra storage, plus a few plants for a dash of colours.
“It looks like a whole new kitchen,” one person commented on the post.
And another agreed: “You’ve made it a home.”
Budget DIY tips
Take the process slowly
As is the case in many areas of life, slow and steady wins the race when it comes to decorating your home.
We have all been in the process of decorating and decided to drive ahead with a couch or décor piece that we aren’t sure we love, only to regret it when we happen upon the couch of our dreams later on down the line.
While it is awfully tempting to try and get your dream home decorated as soon as possible, taking the process slowly and carefully can also help you save money on our decor.
This will allow you to make decisions carefully, avoiding impulse decisions and purchases.
Plus, this will help make sure that each and every item in your home is something you love!
Make a plan for your decor
A great tip for anything that you want to save money on is to make a plan.
It is quite easy to get distracted by flashy candle sticks or interesting art when you’re looking to buy decor for your home.
However, you can avoid unnecessary distractions or purchases by creating a plan for the items you are looking to buy when you go home decor shopping.
We recommend creating a detailed plan for the decor you want so that you have a specific, curated plan for your home.
A great tip is to create home inspiration boards for each room you are decorating so you can centre your attention on the items you need to bring your inspiration to life.
Upcycle items you already have
Before we buy something new, one way to save would be to repurpose or upcycle old items you already have.
Upcycling or repurposing can give items you already own a new life.
It can also make them feel like a new item for a fraction of the price.
Some easy ways to upcycle could be as simple as painting furniture or décor items you have to match a new colour scheme.
A great way to repurpose items is to use items like old dust-bins as plant pots.
Get rid of items you don’t use
Although it may seem counterintuitive to save money to get rid of items you own, an essential step to creating the home of your dreams is to get rid of items that don’t fit into your dream.
However, this step is also a great way to make some money, which you can then add to your home décor budget.
You can sell the items that you don’t need any more online or in person at some of the pre-owned marketplaces we mentioned earlier in the article.
10 DIY hacks for under £1 each
These simple and affordable DIY hacks can help you get creative while saving money
Homemade Air Freshener:
Mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in a small jar with a perforated lid to keep your home smelling fresh.
Upcycled Tin Can Planters:
Clean and paint empty tin cans to use as stylish planters for herbs or small plants.
Custom Phone Stand:
Use a sturdy piece of cardboard or an old plastic credit card to create a custom phone stand. Decorate it with washi tape or paint.
DIY Lip Scrub:
Combine sugar and a bit of honey or coconut oil to make a natural lip scrub. Store in a small container.
Personalised Bookmarks:
Use old greeting cards or decorative paper to create unique bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon for a finishing touch.
Decorative Mason Jars:
Paint or decoupage old mason jars to use as decorative vases, storage containers, or candle holders.
Easy Cable Organiser:
Use empty toilet paper rolls to organize cables and cords. Decorate the rolls with colorful paper or tape.
Magnetic Spice Jars:
Attach small magnets to the lids of small jars and stick them to a metal board or fridge for easy-access spice storage.
Handmade Coasters:
Cut out squares from old corkboard or felt and decorate them with paint or fabric to create custom coasters.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent. Use it to clean surfaces around your home.