Cheap & Easy DIY Kitchen Makeover

Who would’ve thought that my humble little kitchen would create such a storm! It reached 6m views on Instagram and another 6m on TikTok… crazy numbers when you think about it. That’s before the numerous articles came out about my decorating projects.

The questions I get are all the same, so here is a round up of the process and everything I used.

The Products

First up, here’s everything I used:

IKEA door knobs £69 incl delivery

Annie Sloane wax brush £24.95

Rustoleum Furniture Chalk Paint £32

& Furniture Finishing Wax £12

Ronseal Tile Paint £21

Garden trading company Shelving £25 per shelf, small

All DIY products purchased from B&Q

Painting Tiles

"I cleaned the surface and then painted 1 coat of Ronseal Tile Paint. That was it!"

This caused the most controversy on my reels and TikToks. I think that the main reason was that people didn’t know that there is such a thing as tile paint, so they believed that I hadn’t applied the paint correctly - and they really enjoyed telling me that it would scratch off. I explained to them that I did this project 4 years ago and that the “after” pictures were from the previous month. So it has lasted us pretty well!

I gather that in the past, tile paints required you to scratch up the tiles first to help the paint stick. Not any more! That’s the beauty of time; like most things, technology improves with time as does DIY materials and products, including paint.

I cleaned the surface and then painted 1 coat of Ronseal Tile Paint. That was it!

If I had used a pale colour, I probably would have needed a few coats.

Top Tip

Learn from my mistake and paint the cabinets first.

I painted the tiles first, then applied masking tape on top of the tiles (a few weeks later) to then paint the cabinet surroundings. Sounds sensible but no! When I removed the masking tape, some little bits of tile paint peeled off. So avoid yourself the hassle of having to top up the tile paint and just do that bit last.

The Cabinets

A lot of people don’t realise that cabinet doors can actually be taken off really easily. I see so many people talk about how they unscrewed their kitchen cabinet doors so that they can paint them easily. You do not need to unscrew anything. It is just a simple click and release job.

It will be very unusual if your cabinets are designed in any other way.

I numbered every single door and cabinet so that I knew exactly where each door came from and where I would need to attend them. This is just useful in case the hinges are at slightly different angles so it’s best to put them back in the same place.

Taking the doors off makes your life so much easier given that you have to paint multiple layers.

Choose your paint carefully

Depending on what type of paint you use, what type of finish you are wanting, and how you will also need it to be easily cleaned, you will need to make sure that you use a suitable paint.

"you may need to use a primer before you start or prepare the surface"

The reason I chose chalk paint was so that I didn’t have to worry about sanding or priming. I tested a patch first to make sure that it would adhere to the surface. Once I knew that it worked, I went ahead with the project.

If you’re not using chalk paint, you may need to use a primer before you start or prepare the surface in a different way to what I did for my project. Please make sure you are fully aware of the instructions for the paint that you choose.

Roller or brush

A lot of people tell me that I should have used a roller for my cabinets. The truth is, I did start off using a roller and didn’t like the finish. So I switched to a brush. Just do which you feel more comfortable with. Generally speaking, I prefer painting with a brush over rollers for a variety of reasons.

You will need a sealant

"The best rule for this is, whichever paint you use, use a sealant from the same brand."

If you use your kitchen as a kitchen, then you will need to be able to clean your kitchen cabinets regularly from any spills and splashes. In which case, you will need to seal your cabinets after you have painted.

For chalk paint, you will need a wax. I used a round wax brush to make the application easier but you can use a cloth too - I did try this, however, and I couldn't help but feel like little bits of fluff from the cloth were sticking to the wax, so it might be best to just use a wax brush.

Depending on what type of paint you use, you might need a different type of sealant. The best rule for this is, whichever paint you use, use a sealant from the same brand. They should recommend which sealant to use anyway so make sure you have selected the right one for the paint you have used.

The finishing touches

New hardware and shelving can make a huge difference in a small space. Switching out the cabinet knobs for something that will compliment the new colour will add that extra something, especially in a small space. Whilst shelving can add another dimension to your kitchen, offering you the opportunity to mix textures and layer in some other colours - I love adding plants like pothos so that they can drop down and overhang, almost like a waterfall.

Keep in mind that a project like this is a great way to update your kitchen quickly and easily without having to spend a fortune. I did this project knowing that one day, we may decide to get a whole new kitchen. Until then, I wanted it to look more neutral and be a relaxing space for cooking.