Seven months.  SEVEN MONTHS! That’s how long my DIY Kitchen Makeover took from start to finish.

Last year I painted my oak kitchen cabinets and did a whole bunch of other stuff to update my 1990s oak kitchen (I’ll walk you down that memory lane later in this post). 

Once those projects were completed, I outsourced things like electrical, countertops, and tile work, serving as my own general contractor/project manager.  Also more on that later in this post.

But now the second phase of my kitchen remodel without a renovation is complete, and I am so glad this project is finished.  (*Almost complete.  More on that later, too!)

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

The Kitchen Before: Golden Oak Cabinets, Brown Countertops, and Glass Mosaic Tile Backsplash

Any good reveal post is incomplete without the before photos!  So let’s have a flashback to what this kitchen looked like when we purchased the home in late 2019.

The kitchen was in great condition, but it wasn’t really our style, so I set out to make it look more like us in the late summer of 2020.  I got a crazy idea to paint the kitchen tile backsplash to tone down the look.  The painted tile held up great and gave me the calmer look I was after.

Kitchen Makeover Part 1: Disguised Soffits, Converted Kitchen Desk, and Painted Oak Cabinets

Then, in the fall of 2020, things really got moving in my 1990s-style kitchen.  

Kitchen Soffit Makeover

First, my husband and I gave the kitchen soffit a makeover, and attempted to help blend the soffit with the cabinets by adding lots of trim to them.  You can read more about that project and how to disguise a kitchen soffit in the post I wrote about it.

Kitchen Desk Conversion to Trash

Then, we converted the kitchen desk area to pull-out trash, which was a better use of that space for our family.  

DIY Painted Cabinets

Once those projects were finished, I got to work painting the oak cabinets.  I painted, and painted, and painted.  It took me weeks of work because I only had a little bit of time each day to devote to the project, but I got it done.

I painted the cabinets Hampshire Taupe by Benjamin Moore, and you can read more about my process for painting oak cabinets in that post.

The first part of this DIY kitchen makeover made a huge difference in my family’s enjoyment of our home, and we were glad to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in our refreshed kitchen!

Kitchen Makeover Part 2: New Electrical, New Tile Backsplash, and New Countertops

Once the New Year hit, it was time to get back to work on this kitchen makeover!  

Kitchen Remodel Electrical

First up, we had new LED recessed lighting installed in the ceiling, and we eliminated the large light fixture that once hung in an odd spot in the middle of the kitchen.  The recessed lighting added so much light to the kitchen – it was amazing!  The kitchen was very dark prior to this.

We also swapped the can light over the kitchen sink for a cute little semi-flushmount light.  I wanted this change for cosmetic purposes only.  Since I have recessed lighting throughout the rest of the kitchen, I wanted there to be a cute light fixture somewhere.  

Previously I added wireless under cabinet lighting (you can read about it in that post), and I still loved it so I didn’t feel like adding the expense of hardwired under cabinet lights.

Painted Tile Backsplash Removal

Once we started shopping for countertops, it became clear to us that we were also going to need to replace our tile backsplash.  The painted tile backsplash was holding up great, but it would be damaged during the countertop removal and installation process.

Because of that, it made sense to rip it out before the new countertops went in, and replace with a new backsplash once the countertops were installed.

We did the tile backsplash removal ourselves, and honestly – it was a horrible job.  It was such a mess!  I’m sure there are better ways to remove a backsplash, but we did the best we could.  

Once that was out, I hired drywall professionals to hang new drywall.  I’ve tried drywall in the past and it did not go well.  Ha!

Countertop Installation

At the beginning of March, our new quartz countertops, sink, and faucet were installed.  We chose MSI Blanca Statuarietto quartz because the creamy white shade with the subtle veining in browns, creams, and grays was perfect with the taupe cabinets.

We also chose quartz because of its reputation for durability and ease of care.  I will be writing a post on my experience with quartz countertops so far because I think there’s a lot of false or misleading information out there about this product.  I love the look of these countertops in my kitchen, but I feel a bit deceived.

New Tile Backsplash Installation

Finally, in mid-April we were able to get our new backsplash installed!  Since everyone in the world is renovating right now, it was hard to find a professional who could do this job for us in a reasonable timeframe!  Thankfully we found a great company and they did amazing work.

I chose a very simple and inexpensive white rhombus ceramic tile, which we laid in a chevron pattern.  The second I saw this tile I knew it was what I wanted!

The grout, on the other hand, was a totally different story.  I could not, for the life of me, make a decision.  Choosing between white grout, off-white grout, brown grout, and more was making my head spin!  Thankfully my mom came with me one day to pick something.  I chose Laticrete Permacolor grout in River Rock.  It is slightly darker than the cabinet color, and really helps that chevron pattern pop!

I was nervous to pick something that would stand out, but in the end, it’s what made me happy so I went with it. I’m really glad I did because it gives my kitchen a little personality and doesn’t look like everything else on Pinterest.

DIY Kitchen Makeover Reveal

It feels so good to finally be FINISHED with this DIY kitchen makeover! 

Doing the work yourself and finding/managing professionals to help you with the parts you can’t (or don’t want to) do yourself is a lot!

We have one issue left to resolve surrounding some scratches on our new quartz countertops, but once that’s taken care of with the installer, I will be glad to consider this project totally done!

I hope this project shows you that you can update spaces in your home without a gut renovation. 

It may take you a lot of time, but you’ll get there eventually!  And when you do, you’ll be very proud of yourself!  And . . . you will have saved yourself a lot of money over a gut renovation or hiring out all of the steps.

Please let me know what you think of this makeover, and also let me know if you have any questions at all!  I’m always glad to help.

I am obsessed with inexpensive DIY projects that completely upgrade the look and feel of a space.  This easy DIY flat panel door makeover totally fits the bill!  You won’t believe how simple it is to update a flat panel door in just one weekend.

Look at what I started with.  Ohmygosh.  

This flat panel door leads out of the mudroom and into the garage.  It was so brown.  And so boring.

It is a fire door, and those are pricey to replace, so I decided to keep it and give it a fresh new look.

Supplies Needed for a Flat Panel Door Makeover

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.  Also, thank you to Brinks for gifting me the new deadbolt and lever you see on my door.

I’m breaking the supply list into sections for every part of the door makeover.  Don’t be intimidated!

Supplies used to trim out the flat panel door

• 3/4″ pine screen trim (see instructions below for measurement information)
• Miter box and hand saw
• Wood glue
• Ryobi brad nailer
• Level
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Permanent marker

Supplies used to paint the door

• Krud Kutter
• Sandpaper
• Caulk
• Stain blocking primer
• Sherwin-Williams SnapDry paint
• Painters tape
• Paint brush
• Roller

New door hardware

• Brinks Push Pull Rotate lever and deadbolt

How to Do an Easy Flat Panel Door Makeover

This door makeover process will add a gorgeous new look to your space.  I am sure you will not believe how this door makeover will breathe new life into your home!

How to Update the Flat Panel Door with Trim

First things first, update the flat panel door with inexpensive trim.  I used 3/4″ screen trim, but you can use fancier trim if you like!

Step One: Determine the Trim Lengths

First up, decide how long you want the trim pieces to be.

When closed, my door measures 31″ wide x 80″ high.

I cut my screen trim pieces as follows:  TOP rectangle = 23″ wide x 36″ long on top; BOTTOM rectangle = 23″ wide x 24″ long on bottom.  In all I cut 8 pieces of screen trim: 4 measuring 23″ long, 2 measuring 36″ long, and 2 measuring 24″ long.

You may want to adjust these measurements depending on your door’s overall dimensions.

Step Two: Cut the Trim

I cut the screen trim by hand, using a hand saw and miter box.  The screen trim is quite thin, so it’s very easy to cut this way. A miter saw would totally work.  I was too lazy to drag it out of the basement and set it up.

On the back of each piece you cut, write the placement for that piece.  For example, “top left” for the piece that goes on the left side of the top rectangle.

Step Three: Determine Trim Placement on the Door

Mark off the center of the door, both vertically and horizontally.

Then, roughly decide where you want the trim rectangles to go, and lightly mark those spots on the door.

Using the level, draw the exact placement line of the bottom of the rectangle that goes on top.   

Step Four: Attach the First Piece of Trim

Run a thin line of glue on the trim piece meant for the bottom of the top rectangle, and press that onto the line you’ve drawn on the door.  

Follow up with a few brad nails.

Step Five: Attach a Side Piece of Trim, and Repeat the Process

Now that the first piece is in place, use the level to draw a plumb line on the side.  Then repeat the glue and brad nail process to attach that piece.  

Work your way around the rectangle until it’s complete.

Then repeat steps 3-5 on the bottom rectangle.

With this, the flat panel door will no longer be flat!  It will look a little strange at this point, but once it’s painted, it will be beautiful!

How to Paint the Door After Adding Trim

To make your flat panel door makeover look its best, make sure to give it a good paint job.  That includes careful prep work!

Doors get a lot of use, so make sure to clean prior to doing anything else.  I use Krud Kutter to get rid of all of the gunk.

Caulk the seams of the newly-added trim, as well as the gaps between the trim and the door.  You can also fill in any dents or gouges in the door with wood filler.

Then, prime with a primer that’s formulated for your type of door.  Since I was painting a wood door, I used a stain blocking primer.  I chose to use a water-based primer because I can’t stand the smell of oil-based primers!

After the primer dries, paint the door!  I used a fast-drying door paint from Sherwin Williams called SnapDry.  I painted in January, so I didn’t want to leave the door open longer than I absolutely had to! 

This paint dried quickly and covered well with two coats.  I had it tinted to Benjamin Moore Waller Green – the same color used on my Dated Oak China Cabinet Makeover.

Update the Door Hardware For a Modern Touch

Finally, consider updating your flat panel door with new hardware!  The hardware on my door was definitely from the 1970s, so I was glad to streamline the deadbolt and lever with new ones.

The Brinks Push Pull Rotate lever I installed is super cool because it opens three different ways: push it, pull it, or rotate it like a traditional handle or lever.  I love how easy it is to open the door when my hands are full now!

I also love how modern this door looks now.  This flat panel door makeover added a lot of style to my mudroom for a very low price!  I’d love to hear what you think of it; drop me a comment in the box below!

At one point or another, most of us will have spaces in our homes that are in perfectly great condition but not exactly our style.  My kitchen is one of those spaces!  The cabinets, countertops, and backsplash are all in good shape, but the look isn’t what I’m after.  I’m going to overhaul it without a renovation, and I accomplished the first part of the makeover by painting my kitchen tile backsplash.

To some, it might sound crazy to paint a kitchen backsplash!  Tile can be tricky to paint (hello, adhesion issues!), and the kitchen is an especially messy area, which makes cleanable surfaces a must.  However, painting a tile backsplash is such an inexpensive and relatively mess-free way to update a kitchen that it makes a lot of sense. (And I am NOT one to shy away from painting tricky surfaces.  Check out my painted countertop here and my painted marble fireplace hearth here!)

I will show you exactly how to paint a backsplash for a finish that lasts.  My kitchen backsplash is a mosaic of glass and stone tiles, but this method will work on any type of tile.

Supplies Needed to Paint a Kitchen Tile Backsplash

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

• Krud Kutter cleaning spray
• Paper towels
• TSP
• Mixing bucket and rag
• Rubber gloves
• Sandpaper (I used 220 grit)
• Painters tape 
• Multi-surface adhesion primer (I used less than a quart)
• Latex enamel paint (I used less than a quart)
• 2″ angled brush
• 3″ roller with 1/4″ nap roller cover (I used mohair)
• Screwdriver (to remove outlet covers)

How to Paint a Tile Backsplash

You guys know that kitchens are prime spots for messes.  Because of that, I fully advocate for a two-step cleaning process when painting your tile backsplash!  Your paint job is only as good as your prep work, so prep right!

Start by scrubbing the backsplash with Krud Kutter.  Krud Kutter is a non-toxic cleaner that is great at removing grease. 

Once the entire backsplash is clean and dry, gently sand the tiles to rough them up a bit.  I used 220-grit sandpaper on my little hand sander, but you can use plain sandpaper if you don’t have an electric sander.  (PS not sure why my hands are soaking wet in this photo. :-)).

I painted glass and stone tiles, and obviously glass is slippery and benefits from the sanding process more than the stone tiles.  However, even if you’re painting rough tiles, make sure to sand.  It really helps the primer stick better!

Then it’s time for MORE cleaning!  For this very important part of the preparation, mix up a batch of TSP according to the package directions, and wash the tile backsplash again.

It’s a good idea to protect your countertop during this cleaning so that you don’t accidentally damage it.

Once the backsplash is dry, tape off any areas you don’t want paint to get on.  I highly recommend Frog Tape over blue painters tape as I think it is much better at preventing paint seepage.

Remove your outlet faceplates and then you’re ready to begin painting your backsplash!

Start with a multi-surface adhesion primer like the one I used.  I know this primer works because I used it as the primer on my painted marble fireplace hearth, too.  

I used a brush to apply the primer so that I could be sure to get it in all of the grout lines.  You will be so happy if you’re not painting a mosaic backsplash like me, as you will have fewer grout lines to contend with!

The primer will look thin in some areas and will make you think you’ve destroyed your kitchen.  But do not fear: it will be okay once you start painting!

The multi-surface adhesion primer I used is great because it has a fast dry time to topcoat.  After just one hour of drying it is ready for paint!

The paint I used for my painted tile backsplash is the leftover paint from my mirrored built-in makeover.  Although it is labeled as cabinet and trim paint, I used it here because it’s an enamel paint, which means it dries to a hard, durable finish.  I used a semi-gloss finish (color is Manchester Gray), and I think you could even do a gloss finish if you want more shine.

I rolled it on and then went back in with my brush to grout areas that the roller missed.

I applied two coats of paint to the backsplash, let it dry overnight, and then put the outlet covers back on.

What a difference!

It feels calmer to me now.  The tile isn’t competing with the granite (which also has a lot of “movement” as the designer folks say).  

And when I paint the cabinets, it’s going to all come together and give me all the heart eyes and happiness!  (UPDATE:  I have completed the second part of my kitchen makeover, and am sharing my Kitchen Soffit Makeover / How to Disguise a Kitchen Soffit in this post!  Also, I have finished painting the cabinets, and you can see the totally painted kitchen in this post!)

How to Clean a Painted Tile Kitchen Backsplash

Because I know somebody is going to ask me, I’m going to tell you how to clean a painted tile kitchen backsplash, too!  And I know because I’ve already done it!  (Now that my tile is painted a light color, it shows the food crud much more than it used to.)

For messes that I notice immediately, I wipe them with a soft cloth.

For food that has hardened on somewhat, or grease, I clean with dish soap and a soft rag.

It’s that easy!

Well, I hope that gives you enough information to paint your own tile backsplash, if you’ve been thinking of it!  Let me know what you think of my makeover or if you have any questions in the comments section below.  I’m happy to help!

-Bre

SEE THE OTHER POSTS IN MY KITCHEN MAKEOVER SERIES

• Kitchen Soffit Makeover / How to Disguise a Kitchen Soffit
• How to Convert a Kitchen Desk to Pull-Out Trash
• DIY Painted Oak Cabinets
• The Easiest DIY Under Cabinet Lighting
• Complete List of Cabinet Painting Supplies