Woman transforms her dated kitchen for just £200

A woman has given her old-fashioned kitchen a modern overhaul – spending just £200 on the transformation. 

Leanne Ward, 33, from Derbyshire, and her husband Ash, decided to give their kitchen an upgrade, wanting to give it a taste of their ‘eclectic boho with a modern deco twist’ style.   

The room was originally painted cream with dated wooden cupboards and Leanne decided to tweak it on a tight budget, taking inspiration from Pinterest and focusing on tiles and cupboards for a quick fix. 

Leanne Ward, 33, from Derbyshire, and her husband Ash, decided to give their kitchen, pictured before the transformation, an upgrade, wanting to give it a taste of their ‘eclectic boho with a modern deco twist’ style 

Leanne decided to paint over the original tiles, pictured, something that she was 'a little nervous about'

Leanne decided to paint over the original tiles, pictured, something that she was ‘a little nervous about’

Leanne lived with the kitchen for around eight months before deciding to change it. Initially she wanted to knock down the wall to create an open-plan space, but then she decided there was a more budget-friendly way of doing things

Leanne lived with the kitchen for around eight months before deciding to change it. Initially she wanted to knock down the wall to create an open-plan space, but then she decided there was a more budget-friendly way of doing things 

The room is now unrecognisable, featuring chic black cupboards, fresh cream tiles, a classic wooden-style countertop and lots of greenery

The room is now unrecognisable, featuring chic black cupboards, fresh cream tiles, a classic wooden-style countertop and lots of greenery 

Leanne said that the couple had thought they would have to rip out their kitchen and start from scratch when they moved in but that she lasted eight months before she looked at budget-friendly ways to update it

Leanne said that the couple had thought they would have to rip out their kitchen and start from scratch when they moved in but that she lasted eight months before she looked at budget-friendly ways to update it 

Leanne and Ash painted their cupboards, tiles and floor using specialist paints, bought new cupboard handles, added worktop vinyl to refresh the countertops and terrazzo chips to give the room a modern edge. 

Afterwards, they sealed the floor and added tile trim and a splashback D-mould. 

Their efforts left the room unrecogniseable- featuring chic black cupboards, fresh cream tiles, a classic wooden-style countertop and a light floor with elegant terrazzo detail. 

The 33-year-old said: ‘When we moved in, the kitchen was the one area that I thought we were going to have to rip out and start completely from scratch.

‘Our plan was to live with it whilst we saved, then look at removing the adjoining wall and making a kitchen diner space.

‘I think I lasted around eight months before looking at budget-friendly ways to update it.’

The room was originally painted cream with dated wooden cupboards and Leanne decided to tweak it on a tight budget, taking inspiration from Pinterest

The 33-year-old said that even if you can afford to do a bit at a time, small changes make a big difference. Pictured is the kitchen before the transformation

The 33-year-old said that even if you can afford to do a bit at a time, small changes make a big difference. Pictured is the kitchen before the transformation

Leanne advised people who are transforming a space such as her kitchen, pictured after the transformation, on a budget to research their products as she said the most expensive are not always the best

Leanne advised people who are transforming a space such as her kitchen, pictured after the transformation, on a budget to research their products as she said the most expensive are not always the best

The open shelving replaced the brown cupboards that were in the kitchen before the transformation

Leanne overhauled the kitchen with husband Ash on a budget of just £200

 The 33-year-old said that the favourite part of her kitchen is the open shelving or the Terrazzo effect floor. She said that both features have made the kitchen feel more modern

Leanne said the Terrazzo-effect floor is one of her favourite elements. She spent £27 on terazzo chips from Rustoleum for a budget-friendly makeover

Leanne said the Terrazzo-effect floor is one of her favourite elements. She spent £27 on terazzo chips from Rustoleum for a budget-friendly makeover

Leanne said: ‘Even if you can afford to only do a little bit at a time, small changes can still make a big difference.’

She advised people who are transforming a space on a budget to research their products. 

Leanne said: ‘There are so many options available nowadays it doesn’t always mean the most expensive is the best.’

Leanne said that it can be 'scary' to update your home but that it is possible to make changes to a space that are not permanent, adding that most mistakes can be painted over

Leanne said that it can be ‘scary’ to update your home but that it is possible to make changes to a space that are not permanent, adding that most mistakes can be painted over 

Leanne, pictured with Ash, said that artwork and soft furnishings are a good way to bring colour and pattern into a space

Leanne, pictured with Ash, said that artwork and soft furnishings are a good way to bring colour and pattern into a space

Modern chic: The couple replaced the cupboard handles, painted the units an on-trend dark grey, and made sure their appliances and gadgets matched the colour scheme

Modern chic: The couple replaced the cupboard handles, painted the units an on-trend dark grey, and made sure their appliances and gadgets matched the colour scheme  

Leanne said that there are many ways to make a new and refreshed place without spending too much money

Leanne said that there are many ways to make a new and refreshed place without spending too much money 

COST BREAKDOWN 

Cupboard paint Frenchic in Black jack £20

Tile paint Rustoleum White £15

Cupboard handles £1.25 each from a local DIY store.

Worktop Vinyl £45

Floor paint B&Q £22

Terrazzo chips Rustoleum £17

Floor Sealant HG £16

Tile trim and Splashback D-mould £35

 

‘My favourite part of the kitchen has to either be the open shelving or the Terrazzo effect floor, I think both were integral parts of the design that has made the kitchen feel more modern,’ she said.

‘The floor was the last job I did. I was a little nervous about painting over the original tiles but knew it would make all the difference to the overall feel of the kitchen.’

‘At the end of the day it’s only paint. Some ideas don’t always work- believe me I have had a few disasters- but there is not much that cannot be painted over or sanded back.’ 

Speaking to homeware brand Joseph Joseph about her transformation, Leanne added: ‘Sometimes it can be scary to make drastic changes or there are limitations with rental properties etc, however they are ways to update a space that aren’t permanent.

‘Artwork and soft furnishing are a great way to bring colour and pattern into a space without commitment, also there are some great products on the marker such as removable wallpaper and vinyl.

‘There are always ways to create a happy space without breaking the bank.’