Talking about money isn’t really my thing, so if it isn’t your thing either and you have no interest in knowing our kitchen and breakfast nook budget breakdown, I get it. You won’t hurt my feelings by not reading this post. That said, I hope this budget breakdown sheds light on just how much we saved by working with the current footprint of the kitchen, not taking down a wall, and basically doing a cosmetic renovation.
If you haven’t seen the kitchen reveal yet, you should go read that post and then come back here to see how much it all cost. Also, all sources can be found in the reveal post or on the Shop My Current Home page.
Let me be brutally honest for a minute. We did not plan or budget for this makeover. It was a byproduct of an impulsive decision, on my part, to rip out the old upper cabinets and backsplash after we moved in. I started this makeover after Hannah expressed a desire to have a presentable kitchen for hosting friends (the kitchen had been half demoed for over a year at that point). So, not only were we working with no set budget, we were now on a time crunch. As such, it wasn’t as cost effective as it could have been if I had set a budget, taken my time, and simply done what I could within those limits.
When I say this makeover was budget friendly, I don’t mean it was dirt cheap and anyone could afford it, especially given the year we’ve all experienced. But I also know a full kitchen renovation typically costs anywhere from $20,000 – $75,000+, depending on the size and scope of the project, and the cost of the changes we made pales in comparison to those numbers. But it’s important not to compare too much in these situations because what’s budget friendly for one family may be financially impossible for another or completely doable for another. You must do what’s best for your family, whatever that means for you. This is how things played out for us, and I hope you find it helpful.
Okay, let’s get into the budget breakdown. First up is the kitchen…
Plumbing Fixture:
- Moen Faucet – $184.93
Building Materials:
- Pre-primed Shiplap – $346.72
- Trim, Crown, Lumber- $287.21
- Pegs – $31.52
- Corbels – $56.90
- Paint and Sealer – $35
- Caulk, Nails, Glue – $34.78
- Skim Coating Materials – $122.23
- New Vent Cover – $20.19
Vent Hood:
- Hood and Ducting – $380.52
Lighting:
- Sconces – $411.08
- New Can Lights – $62.37
- Electrical Wiring for Sconces (Hired Out) – $100
- New Switches and Outlet Covers – $45.81
Hardware:
- Unlacquered Brass Cabinet Knobs and Pull – $273.59
- Soft Close Hinges – $120
Accessories:
- Dinner Bell, Canisters, Cutting Boards, Café Curtain Rod and Rings, Cookbooks, Kitchen Supplies, Etc. – $570.22
Kitchen Total = $3,083.07
*Cabinet knobs, pull and soft close hinges were all purchased and installed about a year ago.
Let’s break down the breakfast nook budget next…
Building Supplies:
- Trim for Windows – $199.26
- Window Grids – $119.58
- Floor Paint and Sealer – $80
- Rollers and Paint Supplies – $53.25
Furniture (all from FB Marketplace):
- Table – $100
- Chairs – $50 for all four
- Arched Cabinet – $80
- Paint – $21
Décor and Accessories:
- Woven Roman Shades – $207.14
- Styling Objects – $61
- Chair Pads – $117.42
Breakfast Nook Total = $1,008.65
*Before I purchased the new-to-us table and chairs, I sold the set we previously had for $580. I did not deduct this from the total cost, but if I had, the total for the nook would have only been $428.65.
I didn’t work with any brands on this makeover, so everything was out of pocket, and we kept the existing counter tops, appliances and layout. The breakfast nook transformation consisted of second-hand furniture and painted floors, as I already had the curtains, rods, and light fixture (I changed the finish with Rub ‘n’ Buff). The most expensive changes were framing out the windows and adding window grids.
Grand Total = $4,091.72
So that’s it…our kitchen and breakfast nook makeover for right around $4,000. Honestly, I’m a little surprised at how much this ended up costing for a budget makeover. But there were unforeseen expenses, like a new hood and faucet, as well as special touches that weren’t necessary, but were important to me (sconces, reworking electrical), that increased that final total. Also, I chose things we could reuse if we ever bite the bullet and do a full renovation in here, so we paid a little more for those items. The cabinet knobs, soft-close hinges, vent hood, sconces, café rod, window grids, and even the can lights are all items that can and will be reused one day.
But… if we never get to that big renovation in here, I’m okay with the amount of money we spent because I love this space now, it functions for our family and friends, and I feel like it was $4,000 of quality work and materials rather than a smoke-and-mirrors (read: contact paper and spray paint) makeover.
Could I have done things differently? Yes. Is this space perfect? No. But it is a beautiful, functioning, warm, inviting, clean kitchen, where my girls will remember holiday baking, midnight snacks, pizza night, and love…lots of love. And that makes this makeover worth every unplanned penny.
I’d love to hear in the comments below if you were surprised by the cost of this makeover. Did you think it would be more or less? Please keep comments kind, as we all have different incomes, opportunities, and abilities.
What is the color of shiplap in your kitchen? I’m sure you’ve answered it many times , although i haven’t come across the name of color. Also brand.
Hi there Debbie and thank you for stopping by the blog! The color of my kitchen is Algonquin by Fusion Mineral Paint. I didn’t use latex paint simply because it was a temporary makeover (long-term temporary makeover…haha). It is the perfect cozy taupe color. It feels like a warm hug when we walk in.
Hi, just stumbled upon your site looking for info on to use Fusion Mineral Paint on my kitchen island and the spindles and handrail of my stairs, and your look amazing! My island is 7′ by 3.5′ and currently solid wood that is stained. How much Fusion Mineral Paint and Deft do you think I would need. The Deft will be used for both projects, but two different colors for the stairs and the island. I am finding the folks that sell it around here are just not that knowledgeable about the products! How are the cabinets holding up?
Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!
The Fusion Mineral Paint is holding up beautifully! You seriously would only need one can of the paint and one can of Deft and I promise you you won’t even use all of it. It goes a long way.
It looks beautiful! Could you please tell me what brand your curtain rods are? I’ve been looking for something just like them!
Hi there. Thank you so much! The black curtain rods in the breakfast nook are from Ikea and the brass rod over the sink is from Rejuvenation.
I love this post, its so helpful Ive been making a list for our DIY upgrade and it was great to be able to tick things off teh list as I read your post. I absolutely love your style
Well thank you so much Anna. Finding ways to make our homes beautiful and personal on a budget is so important in order for us to be able to love where we live without spending a fortune!
This post was really great to read and I am SO IMPRESSED with the final outcome and the final cost. It looks like at LEAST $15,000 went into this and I’m sure you added so much value to your home. It’s inspiring to see that you were able to work with the floorplan and some of the finishes you had. Your ability to make a space still special, beautiful, and truly magazine worthy is beyond amazing. Thank you so much for the inspiration and the grace with which you shared everything! I found this post on Pinterest and now subscribe to your blog! So glad I found you.
Wow! Thank you so much for the kind compliment and for reading and subscribing! I’m so glad you found Wildflower Home and I hope you enjoy what I create and share!
I have been searching for the perfect kitchen color for 7 months. You have NAILED IT… Love the copper accents. I have a home the same size as yours and i absolutely love all your details and color pallets. I found you in the cottage journal autumn magazine.
It’s so cool that you found me through The Cottage Journal! Welcome to Wildflower Home!
I’m surprised with the total cost! It definitely looks like it cost way more. You’ve done such an amazing job and I know you worked very hard on this space! I love how you incorporated FB Marketplace and Etsy finds. It really gives it that curated and collected look that is so timeless. I know your family will enjoy this sweet space for many years to come!
Well that’s good to hear! My house would not be furnished and/or decorated if it weren’t for FB Marketplace and Etsy. I just really desire for my house to look like me, not a carbon copy of a designer or certain style (not that there’s anything wrong with that). I’m glad you like the space, and thank you for the kind comment.
I am surprised the amount is so low. The kitchen looks fabulous! You are a total rockstar. I am so impressed you did it all. I like that you invested in products that you will use when you have the opportunity to do a full reno. Honestly though, it’s so beautiful, I wouldn’t be surprised if you never do the reno. Well done!
I’m such a bargain shopper, and I do all the labor myself, that I think I was hoping for a miraculous number at first, but the final total actually does make sense to me. You’re right…we may never get to that big renovation, but whether we do or don’t, I’m so happy and feeling blessed to have a beautiful kitchen, especially during the holidays!
It looks beautiful and classic. I think your full Reno got pushed out at least 15 years.
I think I agree with you about the timeline! Thank you so much for stopping by the blog!
No matter how much money you spent, it now looks like a million bucks worth of yummy design! Great job and thanks for letting us all watch the process.
Well thank you Dotti. I think the same exact thing…it looks like a million bucks every time I walk in there, even though it’s mostly paint and cosmetic changes. Thanks for following along and for reading the blog!
Marynn,
I am not sure if you saw my comment, on the blog. It was when you did the first reveal. I said how much I loved your new kitchen. I fell in love with your kitchen. Loved everything you did, and I think you are amazing.
Actually, I am surprised by the total amount you did spend. I thought it would’ve been a lot more.
I love your home, and everything you have done in the girl’s rooms. You have great taste. I am so excited because I finally ordered the picture of the spotted dog, that is now in your reading nook. Mine is not the expensive one though.
I see all the comments and respond to all of them! So thank you! You’ll love having that spotted dog print…it’s gorgeous! Thank you for reading the blog and leaving a comment!
If I hadn’t followed along, I would have thought way more than that! I’m sure the value added is so much more than what was spent. Everything turned out gorgeous! Such a transformation of both spaces.
Thank you so much Brooke! I truly feel the value added is more than $4,000, and though it’s not the “legit” renovation I’d love to do, I’m just so pleased with the space, even if I never get to change another thing in there.
Marynn,
Let’s just say you are a miracle worker! It is all so beautiful and I like thinking about all of the loving memories you will make with your family in this space. Well done, bravo!
Thank you so much Robbie! Some of my family and friends thought I was truly a magician because they were surprised I didn’t do alllllllll of this work for under $1,000! I’m not even sure that would have been humanly possible, so I’m happy with the final total.
This makeover is amazing! Both in cost and finishes – its really unbelievable what you accomplished for so little money (I’m sure you spent a lot of time on this project). That arched cabinet! If you ever decide to sell it, let me know!
Thank you! Yes, all of my free time for a few months was spent in here, trying to work magic with a small budget. I’m thrilled with how it turned out though! Glad you love it!