🖼️
The project:
I transformed our dated kitchen on a budget by painting the benchtops and creating a custom marble effect for a fresh, modern look. I then painted all of the cupboards, replaced the handles with new hardware, and finished the space with peel-and-stick splashback tiles for a complete refresh. I decided to take on this project because we were installing new flooring, and the old green kitchen no longer suited the space. Rather than replacing the entire kitchen, I gave it a stylish makeover using DIY products, proving you can achieve a big transformation without a big budget.
- Materials:
Cupboards & Doors
- Dulux Renovation Range Primer (1L) – used to prepare all cupboard doors and cabinetry before painting.
- Dulux Renovation Range Cabinet Doors White Gloss (1L) – applied in two coats for a durable, high-gloss finish.
Benchtops
- Rust-Oleum HOME Countertop Kit – Tint Base Satin White – used as the base coating for the benchtops.
- Boyle 100ml Artist Acrylic Paints (Black & White) – mixed together to create a custom grey marble veining effect before sealing.
- Multiple protective top coats from the Rust-Oleum Countertop Kit to provide a durable, long-lasting finish
Splashback
- MORCART Peel and Stick Tiles (30 × 30 cm, 10 Sheets, Light Grey) – self-adhesive subway-style splashback tiles purchased from Amazon.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-1l-white-gloss-renovation-range-cabinet-doors-1l_p0116482
- Tools:
- Screwdriver or drill (to remove cupboard doors and handles)
- Zip-lock bags or containers (to keep screws organised)
- Drop sheets
- Painter’s tape
- Cleaning cloths or microfibre cloths
- Degreaser/sugar soap or the cleaner included in the kit
- Sandpaper (various grits)
- Sanding block or electric sander
- Vacuum or dust brush
- Tack cloth (to remove sanding dust)
- Step 1:
- Removed all the cupboard doors, drawers and hardware to create a clean workspace.
- Cleaned and sanded every cupboard and door to ensure the paint would adhere properly.
- Applied a quality primer to all cupboard surfaces and allowed it to dry completely.
- Painted the cupboards and doors with two coats of cabinet paint, allowing drying time between coats.
- Thoroughly cleaned the benchtop using the cleaner included in the benchtop refinishing kit.
- Applied the first benchtop coating, let it dry, then applied the second coat.
- Created the marble effect before sealing the benchtop with approximately four protective top coats for a durable, long-lasting finish.
- Installed the splashback tiles to complete the new kitchen look.
- Rehung all the cupboard doors and drawers once everything had fully cured.
- Finished the renovation by installing brand-new handles and accessories, giving the kitchen a fresh, modern makeover—all without replacing the existing cabinetry.
