This Kitchen Island Makeover Was Totally Free (It Transformed the Whole Kitchen!)
ABOUT THIS BEFORE & AFTER
HOME TYPE: Apartment
PROJECT TYPE: Kitchen
STYLE: Bohemian, Colorful
SKILL LEVEL: DIY
RENTAL FRIENDLY: Yes
If embarking on an entire kitchen overhaul feels overwhelming, try tackling one small project that could score you major design points, like adding a peel-and-stick backsplash, making fun little fridge magnets, or giving your island an upgrade.
You could give your kitchen island an upgrade by replacing the barstools, add a vinyl countertop that looks like butcher block and elevates the space, or, like Jamie Meier (@jamiehickshome) did, paint the base of the island for a pop of color.
“I love that we have an island that gives us extra counter space and is fabulous for hosting guests, but the color was really bothering me and not blending well into my style,” Jamie says. She describes her style as “colorful, pink, eclectic, [and] cottage-style,” and the new island fits exactly that.
Prepping the island was key.
One of the most important steps of the project, Jamie says, was taping off the baseboards for a clean finish, and then waiting for the paint to fully dry in between coats. “I have painted many walls and accent walls, so I knew what to do,” she says. “The process was much easier and faster than expected.”
Leftover paint made the project cost $0.
And not only was the DIY project fairly easy, but it was also totally free. Jamie used a leftover coral-meets-rose paint (Backdrop’s 36 Hours in Marrakesh) to transform the island, and the shade looks especially nice with the hardware on the cabinets and the barstools.
“I had previously painted our bedroom wall this color and loved its warmth and versatility,” she says. And she says the most surprising part of the project was “how much of an impact this paint would have in the room; it makes it feel so much more like me and cozy and warm.”
Her DIY advice? “Just go for it!” she says. “If you feel like a color change needs to be done, don’t be afraid! It’s just paint and can easily be painted back. That’s what I always tell someone if they’re renting! It makes such a big difference!”
For more kitchen island upgrades, check out these seven project ideas.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
Further Reading
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
