DIY budget kitchen upgrade

Grahamp

Finished Project

A 40+year old kitchen with peeling  cupboard doors and drawers, that felt “boxy” with a partial opening with a raised serving shelf, facing into a small dinning area.

This shelf, walls above and beside benchtop were removed this instantly achieved a more open kitchen and dining area. All doors and drawer fronts were reused after removing the old vacuum bonded coating, using a heat gun. Then sanded until all glue was removed and were sanded smooth. 

Next removal of old sink and old benchtops and new sink and tap fitted to stained wooden bench top I had made at home.

I made the larger bench top to extend into the dinning area so i could make and install cupboards underneath for additional storage space. I matched the doors with Kaboodle Alpine style to blend in with the older kitchen doors. 

Materials

13x Recycled pine planks

Biscuit Joiners

Dulux Pesto paint

Dulux primer

Dulux USA antique white wall paint.

Bondall marine varnish 

5x Kaboodle raw alpine doors

3x MDF sheets 2400x1200x16.

Gorilla PVA Glue

830x480 single bowl sink. 
recycle my old single swivel tap

Tools

Reciprocal saw

Hammer

Nail puller

Small demo hammer

Wrench ( plumbing)

Ryobi air nailer

Various sanders

AEG mini cutter (sink cutouts)

Ozito biscuit joiner 

Ozito circular saw 

Ozito cordless drill/driver

carpenters square and clamps

tape measure

Paint rollers, Varnish brush, sandpaper

Steps

Step 1

Removal of serving ledge including, the upper wall.

Patching gyprock and painting where old walls were.

Removing all the old vacuum bonded plastic covering on each door and drawer with heat gun.
Sanding each component until all glue was removed and sanded smooth. 
Build new timber bench tops cut out for new sink.

 Stain finished bench tops and apply Marine grade varnish.
larger bench top was made to extend into the dinning area so I could make and install cupboards underneath for additional storage space. I matched these doors with Kaboodle to blend in with the older kitchen doors. 

Finish.  
 

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

EricL

Hello @Grahamp 

Your revamped kitchen is a fantastic example of thoughtful, hands-on transformation. The way you've opened up the space by removing the raised serving shelf and surrounding walls makes the entire kitchen and dining area feel much more spacious, connected, and modern. It really softens the previously "boxy" look and invites natural flow between the two zones.

Reusing and refinishing the original cupboard doors shows real craftsmanship and environmental care, it’s impressive that you removed the vacuum-bonded coating, fully cleaned them back, and smoothed them to a beautiful, fresh finish. The subtle sage green adds warmth and character, and pairs perfectly with the rich, homemade wooden benchtops. Those benchtops, especially the extended one with custom cabinetry underneath, are not just functional but also visually anchor the kitchen with warmth and texture.

The balance between vintage charm and practical modern updates, like the new sink and mixer, open shelving with glass fronts, and neatly arranged cooking tools, makes the space both inviting and highly usable. Overall, it’s a truly inspiring renovation, clever, resourceful, and full of personality.

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful kitchen revamp.

Eric