Introduction
After years of dreaming about renovating our outdated and dysfunctional kitchen, my partner and I finally bit the bullet and did a complete DIY kitchen remodel. As first-time homeowners without much remodeling experience, it was a daunting but rewarding project that allowed us to completely customize our kitchen. In this post, I’ll walk through the entire process from planning and demolition to installing DIY kitchen cabinets and finishing touches. I hope our journey will give you inspiration and tips for your own long-awaited kitchen refresh!
Planning Out The Remodel
Like any major home renovation project, the key to success is starting with thorough planning and research. Here are the steps we took to map out our DIY kitchen remodel:
Setting A Budget
The very first thing we did was set a realistic budget. Kitchen remodels can easily spiral out of control cost-wise, so having a target budget is crucial. As first-timers, we allotted $20,000 which would allow us to splurge on some materials and appliances while saving costs with DIY labor.
Hiring A Designer
We decided to invest in an architect who specialized in kitchen design. At around $800, this was money well spent as he provided us with a 3D rendering, electrical/plumbing plans, and a shopping list for materials. His expertise resulted in a beautifully functional layout optimized for our cooking habits and lifestyle.
Demolition Plan
On our own, we mapped out a demolition plan for the existing kitchen. This included uninstalling cabinets, appliances, flooring and anything else that needed to be ripped out before new construction could start. Planning this step was useful for budgeting time and disposal fees.
Demolition Days
Demo day came and I won’t sugarcoat it – it was grueling! We took everything down to the studs and subfloor. Some tips I learned:
Safety First
Wear protective gear like goggles, masks, gloves and steal-toed boots. Turn off electricity and water supply lines before demolition.
Storage And Cleanup
Have a dumpster rented and designate an area to temporarily store any items or materials you want to keep and reuse.
Exhaustion Is Real
Pace yourself, demolition is physically draining! We did it over a long weekend taking turns with the sledgehammer.
Get Help If Needed
If there are large appliances involved like removing an old stove, don’t be afraid to call in reinforcements. The last thing you want is an injury before the remodeling even starts!
Installing The New Cabinet Framework
With the blank canvas of an empty kitchen, it was time for the fun part – putting things back together! Here were the steps for installing our new kitchen cabinet system:
Building An Island
We started with constructing a large kitchen island that would house cabinets, drawers, and our sink. This was built out of 2×4 lumber secured into wall studs and covered with 3/4″ plywood.
Hanging Wall Cabinets
Wall cabinets went up next. We used a laser level to mark stud locations and secured with 3″ screws. Some tips:
- Use wood shims to make cabinets level
- Pre-drill holes to prevent splitting cabinet back panels
- Double check alignment as you go
Installing Corner Cabinets
I was dreading corner cabinet installation but it went smoothly using an L-shaped support anchored into adjoining walls. This provided a stable “floating” base for fitting in the corner cabinets.
Adding The Plywood Subfloor
Before putting in base cabinets, we put down new 3/4″ plywood over the existing subfloor. This gave an even, smooth surface for mounting the cabinets. Nail into studs with a pneumatic nailer.
Base Cabinets And Drawers
Finally, we secured all the base cabinets and drawers. They were attached to each other using clamps and screws, then into the plywood and studs. Soft-closing drawer slides were definitely worth the splurge!
DIY Cabinet Doors
Instead of buying expensive pre-made cabinets, I decided to build my own doors. This allowed me to customize sizes, wood types, and finishes.
Choosing The Design
I sketched a few different door styles and settled on a simple shaker design. The clean lines would match our home’s modern farmhouse style.
Sourcing Materials
For cost savings, I used poplar wood instead of maple or oak. Poplar takes stain well and was sufficient for concealed cabinet surfaces.
Cutting Pieces With Precision
Using a table saw, I cut pieces for the door frames and center panels to exact measurements. A digital angle gauge ensured perfect 90 degree corners.
Securing Frames
After sanding, I assembled each door using wood glue and brad nails from a pneumatic nail gun. Bar clamps held pieces flush until dried.
Attaching Panels
The center door panels floated within the frames. This allows the wood to naturally expand/contract without cracking the door.
Sand, Repeat
Once constructed, I sanded each door with 120, 220 and 400 grit sandpaper to prep for finishing. Any gaps or imperfections got a wood filler treatment.
Staining And Sealing
Using a foam brush, I applied a cherry stain giving the poplar a rich, warm finish. Multiple coats of water-based polyurethane sealant protected the wood.
Countertops And Backsplash
Moving onto the surfaces, we gathered materials for concrete countertops and a simple subway tile backsplash.
Building Concrete Forms
We constructed melamine forms secured to the cabinet boxes to hold the poured concrete. PVC pipes were run through to later create sink and stove cutouts.
Mixing And Pouring Concrete
For the concrete, we used a pre-mix bag of countertop concrete. After pouring, we leveled and smoothed the slabs with a trowel. They cured for a week before removing the forms.
Polishing Finish
The concrete’s final polished finish was achieved by hand-sanding with progressively higher grit diamond pads, ending at 3000 grit for a glossy sheen.
Subway Tile Backsplash
Standard 3×6 white subway tiles created the backsplash. We applied them in a staggered pattern using thinset mortar. It was tedious but straightforward with the right spacers and leveling tools.
Flooring, Lighting And Other Details
The finishing touches like flooring, lighting and paint were the final steps to pull the whole kitchen together:
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
We chose a durable and waterproof rigid-core vinyl plank flooring. The click-locking planks provided a quick DIY installation. Sweeping lines and warm gray tones complemented the space beautifully.
LED Under Cabinet Lighting
To provide task lighting for the countertops, we installed LED light strips under the upper cabinets. They illuminate surfaces while being discreet and energy efficient.
Statement Light Fixtures
For overall ambiance, we splurged on stunning aged brass pendant lights over the island and dining table area. They became real focal points.
Chic Open Shelving
Leaving select areas of wall cabinet-free allowed us to add open shelving planks. They’re great for cookbooks and displaying charming accents.
Fresh Coat Of Paint
Crisp white paint refreshed the existing walls and ceiling. Along one wall, a blue-green hue adds a subtle pop of color. New white trim pulled the whole space together.
DIY Touches
Beyond the major renovations, I had fun adding special DIY details to personalize the space:
Custom Drawer Organizers
Using scrap plywood, I cut and assembled custom drawer organizers sized specifically for utensils, baking pans, and other items.
Infusing Personality Through Art
Photo gallery walls were curated with a mix of custom-printed recipe pages, family photos and abstract art prints in matching frames.
Herb Garden Window Boxes
Upcycled antique window boxes mounted under the windows created chic planters for an indoor herb garden – fresh basil, rosemary, oregano and thyme spices up all our recipes!
Rustic Pot Filler
A salvaged barn beam was transformed into a rustic pot filler over the stove. It adds great character and is super functional.
Final Thoughts On Our Long-Awaited Kitchen Remodel
Despite some stressful moments, I’m so glad we tackled this kitchen renovation ourselves. The long project list felt daunting, but taking it step-by-step revealed it was very manageable as first-time DIYers. Having a completely customized kitchen suited to our lifestyle and design taste made all the long days and messy demolition completely worth it! I learned so much about carpentry, design, and project management throughout the process. While renovating a kitchen requires some resilience and patience, I now feel equipped to tackle future DIY projects around our home with confidence. I hope my kitchen remodel experience gave you inspiration and a sense of what to expect for your own long-awaited kitchen refresh! Let me know if you have any other questions.