The DIY Kitchen Remodel (aka Marriage Challenge) Has Begun

Here is the first installment into our Small House Living series. We decided to start with the kitchen. It needs a lot of updating, but we figured it would be a good winter project. Once we started tearing into the kitchen we started changing our minds about our initial plans. We have, however, at least began. The goal was to have it done by Jan 30th, but we are already at Jan 17 and we’ve only done some prep. We still have a ways to go, but we thought we’d give you a kitchen remodel update.

Keeping it real….typical look of our kitchen when clutter starts to build.

Original Kitchen Remodel Plan

• Remove soffit
• Replace upper cabinets with shelves
• Replace counter tops
• Paint lower cabinets, replace hinges
• Move fridge & extend countertop
• Paint ceiling fixture
• Replace trash bin
• Create an organization system for herbs, spices and food
• Tentative budget: $400

Wallpaper has to go!

Removing a 1/4″ of wallpaper at a time & losing my mind. There has to be easier way. #SmallHouseLiving #MaritalSpat pic.twitter.com/tbaAb2FFmR

— debthompson (@debthompson) January 5, 2017

Current Kitchen Remodel Plan:

• Leave soffits in. The work required to remove them is prohibitive and beyond our skill set or compatibility level.–DONE $0
• Remove wallpaper.–DONE $0
• Remove two of the four upper cabinets. One of each side of the kitchen.–DONE $0
• Remove the pan rack.–DONE $0
• Move bookcase.–DONE $0
• Paint walls white
• Paint countertops.
• Paint remaining cabinets and add new hardware.
• Move fridge about two feet to increase counter space.–DONE $0
• Paint overhead light fixture. ($0, using paint from previous project)
• Replace light fixture above sink.
• Add shelves.
• Add wine rack.
• Replace trash bin.
• Reorganize kitchen cabinets/drawers to make best use of space.–DONE $0
• Tentative budget: $350, yes I dropped it due to leaving the soffits in and painting vs replacing the countertops. I know, some of you are laughing really hard at that number, but I like a challenge. We are hoping to be able to repurpose items found at rehab stores or even in our basement.

Cleaned it up prior to tearing it apart.

The biggest jobs are yet to come. Next up is painting and I anticipate it taking a while because I dread it.

Hanging with BB & getting caffeinated before starting work.

First cabinet is gone!

The good, bad, ugly of a kitchen remodel……

You learn a lot about your relationship when you start working on home projects.  Our kitchen is small, I mean SMALL, as in 96 square feet if we measure wall to wall. We have to make every single inch count and we often disagree. However, after some nicely worded arguing (me thinking I’m right, Alan tolerating me) we do usually come to a compromise. I’m not saying it’s a fast compromised or that there isn’t some high levels of frustration on both part, but it works out in the end. Best tip: walk away from one another and think about what is really important and what you can/can’t live with.

Second cabinet is gone.

I wanted all upper cabinets gone, he wanted to keep two; the one above the stove and one for dishes. I wanted to paint the cabinets and countertop, he didn’t. Our compromise is two upper cabinets stay and all cabinets and counter tops get painted. I can live with that. On a good note, the space next to the cabinet is, most likely, being turned into a wine rack. That wasn’t in our initial plan, but that compromised worked out for me!

Pan rack is gone, fridge is moved. Amazing how much more open it looks.

The good is that the kitchen remodel is underway and every time we do one little thing I’m amazed at how much better it looks.

The remodel won’t be completely done until I add a few extra touches. I want to add a nice piece of art at the end of the kitchen, some new mugs for our coffee corner and new hot pads and dish towels. I’ve been shopping online at Target and have found so many great items. However, I have that pesky little budget to stay within so finding coupons is key. Luckily, I stumbled across Couponbox and found an entire array of coupons that will help me stay within the budget. Couponbox even has coupons for Target, which works out perfectly, because I found many new items that I need for the kitchen. Are you looking for a way to save some money? Head over to Couponbox and see how they can save you money.

Want to work on your #marriage communication skills? Start house projects together….#goodtimes #smallhouseliving

— debthompson (@debthompson) January 6, 2017

We’ll be providing another update when we are about half way done and then, of course, the big reveal. That is going to be my favorite part. I made a quick kitchen tour video for you that also includes my original goals for the kitchen. Let’s just say being flexible is key to this project.

We invite you to follow along here and on social media using #SmallHouseLiving on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.