Which Kitchen Reno Projects Can You DIY?

Your kitchen is in desperate need of a makeover, but you’re not sure that you can afford to hire a crew of contractors to do the job. To save money, you’re hoping to do it yourself.

These are some kitchen reno projects that are completely safe for you to DIY:

Repainting the Cabinets:

A simple project that will make your kitchen look brand-new is adding a fresh coat of paint to your cabinets. It might take more than a weekend to complete since you will have to prep the cabinets for painting (sanding them, washing them, removing the hardware, etc.) and wait for coats of paint to dry.

Remember to be patient. You don’t want to rush the process.

Easy Tip!

If you want to change up your kitchen cabinets but you don’t have the time to paint them, you should look online for kitchen cabinet door replacement or swap out the hardware. Get some flashy new knobs and pulls for the cabinet doors and drawers. The small tweak can make a big difference.

Put in a Backsplash:

Another project that you can tackle on your own is tiling a kitchen backsplash. A tile backsplash is helpful because it can handle splashes from cooking and washing dishes. A quick wipe with a damp cloth will make them look good as new and few repairs can be done with crimp tools.

Backsplashes also offer an opportunity to show off your personal style. Do you want a clean, modern kitchen? Pick white subway tiles. Do you prefer the retro look? Get penny tiles in a pastel color. Do you like to go for big, bold patterns? Then pick glossy Moroccan tiles.

Easy Tip!

A simple, budget-friendly alternative to tiling your backsplash is using peel and stick tiles to do the job. These adhesives will mimic the look of tile from afar — no one will know that they’re not real until they get up close to investigate.

Peel and stick tiles are an ideal option for anyone that doesn’t want to commit to a permanent change. You can easily remove and replace them.

Install Shelves:

Do you have limited storage in your kitchen? Then you should install floating shelves on one of your kitchen walls. These will give you opportunities for additional storage and stop your cupboards from getting too cluttered and disorganized.

Easy Tip!

If you like the look of floating shelves but you don’t have much space for them, you can always remove the doors from your kitchen cabinets so that they’re open shelves.

What Projects Shouldn’t You DIY?

You’ll need professional help with these kitchen reno projects: plumbing work, electrical work, and window installations. So, are you hoping to swap out your old sink for a farmhouse sink? Do you want to put pot lights in the ceiling? Do you want to replace your kitchen windows? Call the pros to do these jobs for you.

You won’t save your money by trying DIY — if anything, you could make a mistake that could force you to empty out your emergency fund to cover urgent repairs. If you don’t have enough in your emergency fund, you could look into same business day loans to see whether you’re eligible to apply for one. If you are, you should send in your application online and wait for a response on your approval. An approved same business day loan could help you cover the repairs quickly.

You don’t need professional help for your whole kitchen reno. You can paint your cabinets, put up shelves and tile a backsplash all on your own!

Marie Garcia

Marie Garcia, a renowned kitchen designer with a Bachelor's in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design, has been part of our team as a freelancer since 2021. Her 12 years of experience specializing in kitchen design and remodeling inform her detailed and stylish guides. Marie's articles offer innovative solutions for both aesthetic and practical kitchen renovations. Her approach also combines ergonomic functionality with contemporary aesthetics. She enjoys baking and often tests her kitchen designs by cooking in them.

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