8 jaw-dropping dated kitchen transformations with very small budgets

[@NYCBrat]

Great video! These are very impressive, low-cost transformations! While timeless, classic white subway tile has really had its moment and is now so over played most designers agree we need a break from it. For a few dollars more you can find wavy, textured tile at the big box stores, as well as Zellige if you choose to splurge a bit. As you said there’s not much sq footage needed, so why not elevate as you update? For me gorgeous walnut countertops have always looked rich and luxurious and replicating that look with walnut stained, budget-friendly butcher block is a good option for many. It won’t be ideal for every kitchen refresh but it’s neutral enough to work with most palettes and can look beautiful if done well. I would add that replacing your outdated faucet with a beautiful statement faucet can level up the style of your kitchen instantly. Replacing the sink is a worthwhile companion project as well, nothing pricey, just new. The faucet is where you should “invest.” OTR microwave hood combos look dated and basic so if possible replace with a smaller model to fit on a shelf or tuck inside a pantry. If you’re not using it for more than reheating or making popcorn, you’ll be much happier with a proper hood. It will totally transform the space, and with so many options available, investing here is a good idea. Finally, if upgrading just one appliance is within your budget, it should be to your replace your freestanding range with a SLIDE-IN MODEL. Trust me on this one. ***BONUS TIP: Over that slide-in range you can add a wall-mounted potfiller faucet for about $200 …but the trick to save the exorbitant cost of re-routing pipes and plumber fees is to have it for decorative purposes only. No one ever needs to know it’s “non-working!” I have been a design industry professional since 1985 and these are some of the ideas I currently incorporate into client projects when the budget is a driving factor. I hope this is helpful to some of your viewers. Good luck to all.

[@tastx3142]

Why would anyone put in a non-functional pot filler that will only collect dust and grease and need constant cleaning? It won’t help with the resale value.

[@dessaarnold7540]

​@@tastx3142$200.? That is not the world that most people live in.

[@noracharles80]

Subway tile is classic. It never goes out of style. But, if it’s not to your taste, don’t use it.

[@noracharles80]

@@tastx3142 Plus you still have to carry the pot full of water back to the sink to empty it, so what’s the point…

[@coastaldiva]

I completely agree with you on white subway tile! That’s what i have in my kitchen and i love it 12 years later. I never tire of it!!

[@EleFont_n_room]

The comments say " no before pics." I, too, would rather see before and afters in the same video for the full effect. Thank you.

[@heatherboyd8890]

I think you almost lost me by not showing the befores. I do appreciate the great after and that you specify the actual paint colors.

[@valerieann2751]

I wish we could have seen the before pics for these makeovers

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

If you click on the video description, you'll see a blog link to each of the before photos!

[@Jennifer-pb9nd]

@@homelikeyoumeanit Thanks!

[@coastaldiva]

Wow loved both the light and darker cabs with the brown countertops!

[@johnb4163]

I do not consider 10, 12, 15 thousand dollars a small budget. Just sayin!!

[@serenakoleno9338]

It's relative to the cost of a total redo. Just painting cabinets and knobs can be done for a hundred bucks. Behr paint usually goes on sale around memorial day. ❤😊

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Absolutely true!

[@LAK1253]

I have a small 10x10 kitchen and I've had several quotes for remodeling and the cheapest was $38k the most was $60k!!! I was floored. I'd take a $10-15k price range anytime especially because kitchens and baths increase the value of your home so it's worth the investment. I've done much cheaper updates over the years but need to invest the money to really maximize the functionality and style.

[@debbieholt8261]

Small is Relative. Compared to 50K, 10k is small.

[@MsSonjamaria]

No kidding

[@deawallace3584]

It is more enjoyable when you show both the 'befores' and the "afters."

[@IMOO1896]

Would love for you to show the paint alongside the granite in the first example. You’re talking about color, show color and examples more than a flash.

[@johnb4163]

I would like to have seen the before pics as well!

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Please check out the links in the video description!

[@noracharles80]

@@homelikeyoumeanitI appreciate you including a link to the before photos, but makes it too challenging for the average watcher. Thank you for your video.

[@stacyhamilton1421]

Great video! Last year I painted my Maple cabinets Nantucket Blue from Beyond Paint, changed the hardware, I painted the walls Swiss Mocha. I have brown granite and it looks great with it. I spent less than $400. I'm thrilled with how it turned out. Wish I had done a KZbin video.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

I bet that is lovely!

[@TeresaAngelena]

Wondering why you didn’t show the before and only showed the after , describing the before?

[@kavi212]

Probably just to save time? She lists everyone so you can check out their pages for all that

[@maryanngengler1284]

Helpful ideas. I have custom oak cabinets from the 1980’s. Problem is they are the high arched design. Nothing is cheap on remodeling a kitchen!! Thanks for the info!!

[@DDinFlorida]

I must have missed something. There don't seem to be any "before" pictures. Also having more that one picture of the after picture would be nice.

[@thehonestesthetician5856]

Yes would love to see before pics to compare our own kitchen nightmares to theirs and then see the hope!

[@dianasandstrom5562]

She could have been showing before and after pictures while talking. I would like to see more kitchen pictures and less of her. Not trying to be negative. But I want to see the projects.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Thanks for watching!

[@MillSiteStudio]

Would have been really nice to see the before pictures too...

[@tabithaekeberg6480]

YES! I so wanted to see the before. I love seeing the transformation.

[@kristy7879]

Thank you！Very useful for me since I have a dated kitchen to renovate very soon！

[@leesmith2341]

Love the video and subway tile! I would also have liked to have seen the before pics.

[@psin0373]

Fantastic content! Thank you so much. Now I'm inspired to take on my orange-y cabinets by using some of these ideas! Love your channel!

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Thank you! I hope your makeover turns out well!

[@merrywalsh2809]

Wow, those kitchens were gorgeous. Color theory is so important throughout the home, but seeing it used so well in the kitchen refresh, well, I have not seen that before. Kudos for such a great topic and pics. As another said, would be nice to leave the pics on the screen a bit longer, but still, great vlog.

[@lynndupree1205]

You can also lightly sand off the shiney finish on the granite to make it matte. It will look fresh and neutral, similar to honed granite. BTW, while the granite is in this porous state, you can stain it with a diluted white paint, wiping it off as you go. Instant NEW countertop!

[@judyarmstrong397]

Thanks for all the great information! I have the old brown granite and now I know what color cabinets to get. Although I didn't like all the transformations you showed, I appreciated the information from the links you shared.

[@despinakyraleos2234]

I used October Mist on my cabinets, with Brown Baltic granite, it worked really well. I had a pillow that colour , and put it against the granite, and that's how I knew it would work.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

So smart to use the pillow as inspiration! I'm sure your kitchen turned out wonderfully!

[@amyann47]

Wow $1000, that’s great. Looking for inspo. We move next month and our new kitchen is very dated.

[@kmsch986]

For the Chris and Julia one I would have replaced island with a beautiful butcher block counter. I did that and picked black walnut so hard as steel, never stains and got rid of a giant eyesore in the center of my kitchen so you never noticed the surrounding counters.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

First time seeing your channel. This was very inspiring. Now a subscriber.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Thank you for subscribing!

[@boogaoooga3315]

Those dated kitchens look much better than mine!! 😅 lol!

[@kristinekerr3688]

The next time you do a before and after video, please make sure you have more of the before pictures. I can’t pictures what somebody’s old kitchen looks like just by you describing it. Thx

[@kellyanne7225]

I love my microwave above my stove, and just as well since I will have no other space for it in our next home, and I will also have no pantry. I don’t think my kitchen will look “cheap”, because an alternate space is not an option. However, the subway tile and the butcher block will be a must!!! ❤

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Subway tile and butcher block are great ways to update kitchens on a dime!

[@judyarmstrong397]

I agree about leaving the microwave above the stove, especially if you don't have room. I think a microwave sitting on the counter looks cheap.

[@michellepeterson6320]

#4 is STUNNING

[@Tammy-zr9zw]

Another excellent video with great suggestions. Thank you !

[@roger12393]

Loved this video!! Thank. you soo much.

[@annabodhi38]

I enjoyed this one, thank you. I want to also say thank you for all of your hard work in putting this together to share with us; this is greatly appreciated.

[@tonyajohnson178]

Also please keep focused on the picture Of the kitchens. It’s too hard to take everything in and just a few seconds we see you you’re beautiful, but we’re looking at the kitchens.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Thanks for the feedback! I’ve been writing my blog for years, but just starting out with videos, so it’s a lot of trial and error to see what works best!

[@sillililli01]

@@homelikeyoumeanit You've got this.

[@dessaarnold7540]

It was all interesting, but I agree with, I like to study the pictures. I didn't have time to look. But it was informative. I would love to see old kitchen cabinets redone natural wood. Mine are 100 yrs. Old and I couldn't paint them.

[@midwestcornfields]

You are a very lovely young lady doing a great job giving ideas and information!! I would like you to keep the kitchen photo up while you talk through it. When you show the picture of the kitchen, it would be helpful to not see the video of you talking because it blocks too much of the kitchen. I'm sure doing something like this must be way more time consuming and more difficult than it looks. Please continue the great work you are doing.

[@stephenlacher587]

White subway tile will be one of those things everybody will be wanting to get rid of a very short time. Will come and go, faster than it came. Looks cheap.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Subway tile has been around for over 100 years! We’ll agree to disagree. I’ve seen many high end kitchens with beautiful subway tile.

[@Ann-eb8fo]

I loathe and have always loathed just white subway tile.

[@amymcginty6634]

Ugh! White subway tile reminds me of… subways! And turnpike restrooms & everything common & dirty. There are some good ideas here but not white subway tiles!

[@tonyajohnson178]

Good content would love to have seen before pics.. and reading The comments I see there’s mixed ideas Thoughts and feelings on Subway tile.. I’ve seen a lot of subway tile in a lot of different kitchens and to date there was only one kitchen that they actually looked decent but otherwise subway tile is a hard NO for me…

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Instead of subway tile what would you have used for a budget friendly upgrade?

[@mariabanholzer7942]

Granit countertops are à la mode in Europe! Love from from South of France

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

I actually prefer granite over quartz, and love it for its natural beauty. There are some granite colors/patterns that I don’t care for, but I do love the material overall.

[@thomascole6822]

before and after's would've been great!

[@karenkelly789]

Great video! I'd love your opinion on choosing a white paint color for my kitchen oak cabinets. I'll be installing a creamy white quartz counter and light wood flooring. The entire house is freshly painted in BM White Dove (which I love!). The 50 year old house has a lot of wood with some blue accents in each room.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

If you're going with white for cabinets and already have white dove, that's really the only direction you can go in!

[@kellymcdonell9687]

I was just considering white dove. But, does it look like a dirty white? Or no?

[@karenkelly789]

@@kellymcdonell9687 No not at all. It's a warm creamy white and it looks absolutely beautiful in our space. No regrets!

[@annepigg527]

I wish you would show the before & after pictures ❤

[@justpippyj]

I'm going to be painting my Cherrywood cabinets soon. THANK YOU for these Amazing before and after kitchen updates! Love your content❤DEFINITELY a huge help. Keep sending tips to make our homes lovely. Also, I wanted to mention that the lighting on your video came through a little too dark, unlike your others. 🙂

[@sandrab.3538]

I saw a successful redo using moody French Blue paint on the kitchen walls with cherry cabinets. That color reduces the amount of contrast between cabinets and wall and/or backsplash. Warmed up the room with new hardware and It was really nice!

[@cynthiajohnston424]

@@sandrab.3538 Sounds nice ! Just because a blogger says a certain cabinet wood color is dated , how will we know what the timeless classics are ? ! 😂

[@rosiehelminiak2947]

Where are the before pictures? I would like to see those to see the transformation in each space.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Click on the blogger's link in the video description!

[@peggyyoung2601]

Great Video! I know you were busy, but if you can, please give me an answer back. I would really appreciate it, can you please tell me the best paint to use to paint my countertops they are granite now. Thank you.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

I would use a kit like this: www.amazon.com/Giani-Marble-Epoxy-Countertop-Carrara/dp/B07Y8P9YBS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=9BFX2SVB8IRP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LIUMVBmWsg0QXj5A9NB1o-9pxtHCD4XbdB90iIMTmFUYHWhW9EwgFxpvVtH7jSPkYLwy9CLboNseeu-Ng8P4W9lZe3hyQaefxA1YwKEmxrt_zU2j5poj6tDRSSPys2bD5ZD81j0yPYAI-IHpKCIJGoC-eSS6h5jUs4XgEVHHJzSOB92BcWR5OIo5uq0x1JnGrCxGu_VuBHJr8UBpI5i0sw.DSIDzEP0UxqGx-WYabU_t8JeYwsqae8cl4wX-LE6oE8&dib_tag=se&keywords=epoxy+countertop+kit&qid=1726706375&sprefix=epoxy+counter%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-3

[@Hamo_zz6oq]

Why do you not post the before vs. after, but only the after?

[@everythingthathinders6922]

The gray kitchen seems to showcase the mismatched countertops around 4:50, IMHO. When she said you almost don't notice them anymore I choked on my coffee! It was the first thing I saw. It's like the gray is a background for the ugly countertop to shine.

[@signs9587]

Is it really easy to paint kitchen cabinets? I always thought that it would be too easy to mess up. I would love to have my stained cabinets painted a cream color.

[@diamondgirlkk]

White is on the way out, natural woods are coming back big, It’s the style of the doors that make cabinets in or out of style.

[@AngieWy]

$1,000 is doable. I'm about to take a sledge hammer to my really old melamine cabinets. I've got paint samples all over one of the cabinets, lol. I was quoted $7k for replacements. Thank you. Will look at some of the colors Sherwin Williams has to offer.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Another cost-saving solution here is just to get new doors and drawer fronts.

[@cynthiajohnston424]

What's the point of showing the after pictures if we don't see the before to compare ? Also , more pics of the actual rooms w/ your doing a voice over . The makeovers are great & show that renovations are doable by we homeowners - love the small budget idea ! Thanks !

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Please check out the description and view the links to see all before photos. Without expressed written permission I cannot technically show more than one photo, and it would not be fair to the bloggers who have worked hard on these kitchens. If you are interested in one particular kitchen, like I mentioned several times in the video, please click on the individual link in the video description!

[@anastasiarn7781]

No before pics??

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Please check the links in the description to find all projects and see multiple pictures of before and after.

[@juliebee61]

classic, classic, classic. then you dont get😊 tired of it in 5 mins.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

[@newbeginnings2056]

NOT everyone wants a white kitchen - it's hard to keep. Or subway tiles - there's so many tiles to choose from even if you make the back splash behind the cooker a feature or if use a colour tile to match / compliment the paint on the cabinets / islands / furniture etc. Dark colours are nice in BIG kitchens that GET PLENTY of LIGHT. If it's a small kitchen it's nice to see just the bottom cabinets painted - all over is O.T.T. Liked the use of brass, wood, lights - they really complimented the neutral countertop.

[@ps603]

I would have liked to see more of the results.

[@bestvanilla24]

my granite counter top is a dark gray base color and contrasting white and black veining. What paint color do you recommend for the cabinets?? Thank you!!

[@Clauds71]

So helpful, thank you 😊

[@lindadupuis1531]

What color backsplash works with a bright white kitchen cabinet and quartz countertops? The quartz looks warm compared to the all white cabinet. Thx

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

If you’re doing quartz you need to do off-white cabinets or a neutral that picks up the undertones in your quartz. You can find subway tile that is off-white. It’s also an option to wrap the quartz up the wall.

[@cs7717]

Puke to open shelving! Nope. Never.

[@darenhayes3315]

I just inherited a house with pink-ish granite. No way that I can think of to lean into that or work with it. Luckily, the cabinets are high quality shaker style and already painted a warm white color. I will need to replace countertops, backsplash, hardware and lighting.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

How lucky that the cabinets are warm white already! Put a warm quartz or even a leathered black granite and call it good!

[@darenhayes3315]

@@homelikeyoumeanit Perfect, thank you !

[@Dee-zg2yo]

Glad folks are removing OTR microwaves.

[@malibufunnyfarmpumpkinpatc2758]

I want to put nice white mat appliances instead of stainless steel. They are luxury white ones, not the entry level. What cabinet colors do you recommend. I don't want anything gray. I am leaning towards natural wood. What do you think

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

I would do medium-brown natural wood or white!

[@malibufunnyfarmpumpkinpatc2758]

@@homelikeyoumeanit thank you. Thinking in those directions

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Just be careful if you go with a white not to go too creamy because your appliances will likely be a bright white.

[@serenakoleno9338]

I would definitely go lighter wood. Remember that wood darkens with age. Just open a showroom door and check out the difference, if it's been there a few years it will be noticable. Try to avoid white appliances with plastic components that yellow over time, like fridge handles. Good luck 😊

[@emiliebova]

Good ideas!

[@rosemarycatalano2914]

Can I use butcher block on my 2 tiered island and quartz on the rest of the countertops?

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

I don't see why not! If you have the sink in the island, keep in mind butcher block will be a lot of maintenance in terms of water getting on it and weathering it. Better if it's not around water if you want to maintain the look.

[@americanrebelforce8735]

How do you hide brown laminate counters with honey cabinets! 😮😢

[@JessicaTorres-t4i]

Hi! With a blue tile counter top on kitchen island, which color would you recommend?

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Factor in your backsplash and floors first in terms of picking a color. If your kitchen opens up to another room, you want to make sure the color you choose meshes well with the color you select, too. Take a look at my video on neutral paint colors for some ideas. If you need more help, I do offer virtual paint color consultations!

[@daisy00173]

I have tge same granite counter I was thinking of painting the cabinets a sage color. Any one has suggestions?

[@Dee-zg2yo]

CAN YOU PAINT LAMINATE CABINETS?? Mine are white and nice quality but need a pro advise me. And can you paint a small tile backsplash? I seek a more modern look on a budget.

[@roger12393]

Is an open pass through window opening in the kitchen to living room outdated? We went to an open house a 2001 house and it had this feature which I think is so odd looking.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Just depends...can look very dated or you can make it look charming with decorating!

[@SharonHenscheid]

You look exhausted 💕

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Such an unnecessary thing to say.

[@Ann-eb8fo]

I thought white was out now🤔...

[@amills9261]

Subway tile is dated anyway you look at it. Please show more pictures.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

We'll have to agree to disagree on the subway tile:) Yes, more pictures next time, promise!

[@nancytestani1470]

Nothing is cheap these days or free. Everything costs.

[@alexispacey2864]

where are the before pictures?

[@robinmartin9443]

Hi - I've just found you and I'm watching many of your videos back to back as I'm starting to make plans for my own budget friendly kitchen renovation. I have a suggestion for you - meant very kindly - but you spend a lot of the time describing and talking about pictures which you actually only show very briefly on the screen. So I have to keep reversing and going back to look at the picture to see and think about the point you are making about the features you are describing. Forgive me if there is some KZbin reason I don't know about which limits the number of seconds you can show someone else's picture. But if there is no prohibiting reason, could you please show us the picture you are talking about WHILE you are talking about it? Maybe just have your own video feed showing in the corner or something? From my point of view, it would be a very helpful change and make your videos even more useful! Thank you for considering this request.

[@shelleyplemons1362]

I am redoing my office. I am having built-in cabinets. I’m wondering if my cabinets and wall color should be the same. I’m thinking a Moody green. The rest of my house is very neutral, creams browns, etc. I could do my office with the same look, but I was just thinking going more moody.. so would you paint the cabinet and the walls the same color and if so, what color suggestion do you have for Green?

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Oh yeah, go all in! I just did the same thing in my office. Built ins are Ben Moore Britannia Blue and so are the walls. I love it. I'm going to do a video on greens I like soon, but in terms of a few I really like off the top of my head, try SW Evergreen Fog, SW Pewter Green, SW Ripe Olive and BM Caldwell Green.

[@saraheschweiler4939]

Farrow & Ball have a lovely array of green paints, too! I especially like their Cooking Apple Green & their Breakfast Room Green. I am particularly enamored of their Pale Powder, because it's soft mutability (depending on the light in the space) seems to subtly shift from green to grey to blue.

[@texasstardust6010]

....What was disappointing was NO " Before photos " OF THE " DATED KITCHENS ". ... Would have been great to actually SEE the " Before " pictures. ...Without having to " click on a Link. " This could have been a " 2 Part Video " , in order to actually s h o w the " Before Photos ". $1 000 - 1500 is indeed a Budget Re- do... which is mire relatable to most people, rather than a 15 000 $ Budget. ... most kitchen small Renovation is around 15,000-20,000.

[@Bob-fk8vd]

Bight white works with anything. The moody colors makes the granite look worse to me.

[@gracegamboa1819]

❤❤❤

[@Jennifer-pb9nd]

And in true Alanis Morissette style, grey is now out while shades of brown and honey and cherry woods are trending again... sigh.

[@homelikeyoumeanit]

Isn’t it ironic?!

[@nancytestani1470]

Cannot stand cherry cabinets.

[@mariannachartier3247]

“Subway tile” I don’t get it. I think it’s so ugly, I don’t know why so many people like it. ???

[@maryelyse5633]

that dark gray kitchen was like the inside of a submarine or battleship. It was way too dark and dungeon like

[@MjHolt-08]

I don't want a white kitchen. So, not everyone wants a white kitchen !