I Survived My DIY Kitchen Renovation + Before & Afters
If you’ve been following me on IG stories you’ve been with me on my DIY kitchen renovation journey. From the demolition to near completion – you’ve seen it all. Now I’m going to share more and tell you about my experience with the Eurostyle Oxford Cabinets from The Home Depot.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.
I have always wanted a white kitchen. As odd as it sounds, the idea of a bright, clean, kitchen makes me feel at peace. At our last house, I decided that painting our 1970s cabinets were the way to go since I didn’t have a budget for a kitchen overhaul (and the nearest Home Depot was 6-7 hours away).
This time I wanted new cabinets, not just doors, I wanted the whole shebang.
Note: All supplies used in this kitchen reno is listed at the bottom of this post.
Our kitchen isn’t done yet, but we’re so close! Once the new floor goes in, it will all come together and I’ll update you with a final image then!
Planning a Kitchen Renovation
On Christmas Eve, my husband opened one of the cheap drawers that came with our house and it fell apart in his hands. He had enough, we decided that in the new year we were going to look at Home Depot and get some quotes.
The kitchen that came with our house was limited. I didn’t have a pantry and had very little storage, not helpful as a blogger who cooks for a living! We went to a few different renovation stores but we chose The Home Depot in the end. I’m going to be honest, towards the end I was going back and forth between The Home Depot and IKEA. However, IKEA was a 9-hour drive away and they’re not known for their service. Our local Home Depot is a 2-minute drive from my house and we both knew that there would be multiple trips and that it was the best route. I was expecting our renovation to cost more with The Home Depot, but then I met Chrissy.
Chrissy was our kitchen designer and helped me out throughout this whole process. She was really smart with ideas to cut costs and make this renovation affordable for us. Originally, I was going to keep the design of the previous kitchen but she was able to reconfigure the design to include a pantry and an island. This maximized our space and made my husband very happy – all under budget. Chrissy even talked about out of the tiles I thought I would love by showing me what it would look like. I ended up buying glass subway tile that I would never have picked without her.
I know I’ll be asked, our kitchen cabinets total was $3963.08 – this was a whole new kitchen and included an upgrade to my pantry. There was a sale on in-stock cabinets and we took advantage, the only custom product I ordered was the pantry. I ordered in a 24″ wide pantry because I knew that the 15″ stock was not enough. This upped my cost by about $500 but it was worth it.
DIY Kitchen Renovation
One of the reasons why the cabinets were so affordable was because you had to build them yourself. I wouldn’t do that again, and I hired my brother to build them for me.
Once the boxes were built and the originals were out of the way, it was time to hang them.
TBK’s Pro Tip: Hang a 2×4 level and install your cabinet boxes on top. That way, you’ll ensure they’re level.
I had no idea how we were going to do it, thankfully my husband did. He screwed a 2×4 level into the wall and used that as a guide to set the cabinet boxes on top.
Essentially, that’s it. Installing the cabinets were not difficult, they were simply time-consuming.
However, you need to prepare yourself for the mess. Here’s what my house looked like during the weeks of this renovation.
Wait…there’s more. Are you ready for it?
I did really well considering, but I have to be honest. I was pretty quick to snap towards the end of the reno. I don’t do the best in messy situations!
This point of the renovation felt so good! I knew we could see the finish line as we installed the doors. Be gentle with the hardware for installation, they break very easily.
Silestone Stellar Snow Quartz Countertops
I am absolutely in love with my countertops. Originally, we were going to save money and do laminate but after realizing that the edges on the island wouldn’t be consistent, we upgraded to quartz. I wanted a marble looking quartz, but they were not in our budget. We opted for Stellar Snow by Silestone. We price matched at a few stores in our city and Home Depot beat one company by $4000! What? Seriously? Yeah.
I’m up in Northern BC, and the quartz countertops come from Valley Countertops in Abbotsford. They sent a guy up to measure and then sent a two-person crew for install. I have to admit, it was nice to not have to DIY the quartz. I was also surprised to hear that Valley Countertops does all of BC, a lot of Alberta and even Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Something to consider, you will be waiting for the quartz to be cut and transported. I waited for 4 weeks (which wasn’t bad). Get used to a plywood countertop!
The verdict? I love my quartz! I am so happy my husband talked me into them. They are a breeze to clean. I have an under mount sink and the crumbs fall in. They’re always shiny and you guys – the countertops have glitter in them. The glitter is hard to capture in the photos but it’s there.
In addition to my countertops, I also chose a granite under mount sink. I also have an amazing faucet that has 5 different settings AND it has a built in scrub brush (this is such an adult thing to get excited about). You can read about that and see what my tips for choosing a kitchen faucet.
Kitchen Renovation Before and After
From dated oak and purple countertops from a 1990s kitchen to a beautiful, clean white kitchen renovation!
Before – 1990s dated kitchen
After – on my way to a clean white modern kitchen with a classic twist.
Picture it with crown moldings, dark wood floors, and all the toe kicks on (we still have a bit to go).
What’s left to do in this kitchen reno?
- We have to rip out and install new flooring, we’re hoping to do that in June/July. We’re planning on a dark laminate.
- Install the toe kicks
- Install the crown molding
- Paint touch ups where the old cabinets were
- Filler beside the fridge
- Make door adjustments
PS – the backsplash is the Sassi glass subway tile in nordic ice. The grout I used was bright white.
Would I do it again?
No. A DIY kitchen renovation is not for the faint of heart. If I am in the position where I want to renovate a kitchen in the future, I’m hiring it out. Yes, I saved a lot of money and that was awesome but this was a very slow and frustrating experience.
I would, however, go back to Home Depot and have Chrissy draw me up another design for another home. However, I would 100% hire it out.
What I would change.
I LOVE my quartz countertops, I wouldn’t change those at all. However, I would upgrade my cabinets. The Eurostyle look nice, but they’re a cheaper style. The thermofile is not heat resistant so I did need to put heat shields on either said of the oven.
I originally wanted some beautiful antique glazed Thomasville brand cabinets but didn’t want to wait until they went on sale. Although I did save thousands by going with the Eurostyle, along with building and installing them myself. However, I wish I waited the few months to go with a maple door.
So I survived my DIY kitchen renovation, I feel like I need to have a t-shirt made or something now.
White Kitchen Renovation Supplies
- Eurostyle Kitchen Cabinets in Oxford
- Silestone Stellar Snow Quartz Countertop
- Sassi Nordic Ice Glass Subway Tile
- Bright White Grout
- Bright White Caulk
- Mortar
- Grout Float (get a small one too)
- Trowel (get a small one too for tight spaces)
- Sponge
The paint is Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter, the lighting in the image looks a little green but it’s a greige.
Want more DIY home projects? Check out my Easy DIY wainscoting project and don’t forget to learn how to stain a deck this summer!
Disclosure: Although this renovation wasn’t compensated or sponsored (I paid for this myself). I did pitch the story to Home Depot after the fact and they sent me a gift card as compensation for the time I took to write this. This post contains affiliate links.
Randa your kitchen looks SO beautiful! My dream kitchen is also a white kitchen…they’re just so pretty!
Thank you! I can’t wait for this to be done… you want to know why I wanted white? So much easier for photos HAHA.
Your kitchen looks beautiful. I love the countertops. I would never want to do it myself.
Now that it’s basically over, I’m glad I saved the $$ (thousands) but yes, I would hire it next time. Even if it was simply for peace of mind.
Wow, what a fabulous transformation. Well done!!! I love a white kitchen and adore the countertops you chose. Beautiful
Thank you Elizabath!
Bwahahahaha. Survive is right! We did some renovation not too long ago, and it was a trial, that’s for sure. Your reno turned out great.
Our house has been a mini construction zone since we moved in – so over it! However, this is the reno that took the most of my surviving “skills”.
Loving the kitchen reno and the quartz countertop. Home Depot has amazing service. Definitely the place I will go when the time comes for a reno.
Thanks so much Tara, I totally agree with you there.
You guys are doing a great job. The kitchen is sleek and slick. I like it a lot.
Gorgeous kitchen! I bet you will be so relieved when it’s finally finished. I live in an apartment, so I can only dream of a kitchen like this. Our kitchen is too small, thankfully the microwave, stove, and fridge have enough space, otherwise I’d go nuts. Great job and it’s fun for you I’m sure to see your hard work start to pay off!
Thank you Sarah! I can’t wait for it to be 100% complete! It’s almost there.
We are planning on doing a kitchen Reno sometime this year so your blog has been very helpful. We have been thinking about going with IKEA although now I am going to get a quote from Home Depot. Also we have been indecisive about quartz or granite but you had made me decide to go with quartz. Thank you
Hey June! Yes, I’m glad we went with Home Depot, the design service is free and helped so much! Quartz! It’s sealed and the one we bought is antimicrobial. I’m so happy with it.
Ooh, what a process! If I were to do this, I’d definitely have to install new cabinets too. I think your kitchen looks amazing. I hope the future renovations to it go smoothly!
Thank you Liz!
Wow your kitchen looks amazing. You can never be prepared for the mess that comes with a renovation.
I survived a kitchen reno in our last home with my husband doing all of the work (even building the cabinets). I absolutely loved the end result. Now, that we have moved, I am more than willing to give it another go.
That is so incredible Connie!
I am in love with your kitchen counter. It looks perfect with your cabinets. I bet you are happy it is all done.
Thanks Kim! I am thrilled with the end result. Fingers crossed I can find a floor I like next week.
My kitchen sure could use a little sprucing up. Your kitchen is lovely, you did a great job!
Thanks so much Susan!
I love your kitchen! It is so bright and modern now! I have white cabinets but want a white granite top.
I love the looks of your new kitchen. Now if you could just come and renovate mine, we would both be happy! Just kidding! Great job with the renovation.
Haha…I’ll get right on that 😉
Everything looks GREAT so far! Our kitchen isn’t even 5 years old and I’ve wanted to renovate since moving here!
I get it, even if the kitchen is new – it may not be you! I totally get that.
It looks fantastic. I know it was a lot of work but well worth it. It looks so light and bright!
Thank you Fariha. Yes, lots of work (and patience) but I’m glad with how it’s looking. I’m painting my kitchenaid next to match the kitchen (so excited for that).
You guys did a great job. Kitchen looks so awesome. No diy renovation for me though.
I love the modern feel of your kitchen! Love your counter top too! Amazing!
Thanks Toni! I am IN LOVE with my countertop. I love the sparkle.
We have a brown and black color-schemed kitchen and it’s elegant and we love it. But now that I’m seeing this white bright color scheme you have, I’m re-considering. 😉
Oooo! I want to see yours. If you have a post with a link to it, send it over.
What a n incredible difference, it is beautiful! Thank you for sharing the behind-the-scenes! 🙂
Randa,
The kitchen looks beautiful, you have amazing taste and you guys did an awesome job!
I am So glad I had the privilege of being your kitchen designer. Thank you for choosing to purchase your kitchen with the HomeDepot, it really was my pleasure.
Thank you for everything Christine! We’re almost done (I just have to find floor I like…). I’ll pop in whenever we get it done and show you.
Hi! I stumbled across this and since I love kitchen renos I had to read through. I wanted to let you know (if you ever do.another kitchen) I paid $3k for my navy blue shaker cabinets from cabinets.com. they are definitely more solid than the HD ones ( our previous and first.remodel was HD cabinets) I think they might use some real wood? I don’t remember exactly. They were running – and continue to run- a 25% off Sale. I personally went with ikea marble look laminate counters bc I couldn’t justify quartz when we are not planning on staying in our house for more than 5 years. I LOVE your choice.in quartz. I myself have already planned my next kitchen bc obviously I have problems lol and I want sparkly white quartz, gray backsplash and white shaker cabinets so, so similar to yiurs. I might go opposite colors with the cabs and backsplash tho, idk. We also used a groutable peel and stick floor tile from HD and laid it subway style
Hey Kristen, thanks for sharing! I love marble look counters, it sounds like we have similar tastes.
Thanks for sharing! I definitely want to upgrade my counter tops to quartz!
Love this roundup! SO handy renovation for the holidays!
I’m a housewife and so I have to pass a huge time in the kitchen. I was in a trouble to place my things in the kitchen of my new house is a little bit small. Your idea has made it easy and I have got an easy solution to my problem! In a hurry to make a cabinet!!! Thanks Randa for sharing such great idea! 🙂
Your kitchen looks beautiful. I love the countertops. I would never want to do it myself.
Thank you Tomas!
Hi, Randa! I found your article Googling the name of the quartz–my mind is blank right now. I liked the sample at Home Depot, but didn’t know if I’d find the sparkle annoying. Too much glitz or Los Vega vibe? That doesn’t bother you? (Tell me it doesn’t!!) I was also glad to hear from someone up above that cabinets.com is a good deal. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Sandy,
I do like my quartz (I think it’s stellar snow?). The glitter is subtle (but I love glitter haha). I have no idea about cabinets.com I had all my stuff from Home Depot.
DO you still love your countertops? We are doing a kitchen renovation , because our kitchen flooded and I think Steller snow is beautiful! Thanks for the responce.
I’m planning a kitchen renovation including the flooring. The cost of removing the old flooring and installing new is shocking but I hate my existing floors. How difficult was it to install the flooring after you did all the cupboards and stuff? I would have thought new floors would be my first step (after removing the old cabinets).