Today, I want to share the story of how I transformed my very unremarkable, slightly outdated little kitchen into a space that I genuinely love—without spending a fortune or risking a complete overhaul. When I first looked at my small kitchen, I knew deep down it could be better, brighter, and more welcoming, but I also understood that a full renovation was not something I could afford at the time. So, I decided to approach it with a different mindset: small changes, minimal budget, and a lot of patience.
The first thing I tackled was the upper cabinets. Honestly, they were a bit of an eyesore—haphazardly hung, unevenly spaced, and overall, not very functional or attractive. The idea of removing them felt a little crazy at first, but I knew that losing the cluttered feeling of having too many cabinets could really open up the space and make it look bigger. My father, who’s always been patient with my DIY ideas, agreed to help me. We carefully took down the upper row of cabinets, and to our surprise, I discovered a little hidden gem: behind the refrigerator, there were tiles that I didn’t even know existed. They were originally part of the kitchen’s décor, hidden behind appliances and furniture, waiting to be rediscovered.
I had this spontaneous idea—what if I carefully removed those tiles and reused them to even out the wall? My father thought I was a bit crazy, but he’s always been supportive of my experiments. So, with a lot of care and some caution, we began to pry off the tiles behind the fridge, saving as many as possible. Of course, I managed to damage one tile by soaking it in water in an attempt to loosen the old adhesive. It was a small mistake, but I kept telling myself it was part of the learning process. Sometimes, you get accidental damages, but that’s okay; it’s part of DIY life.
Once the tiles were out, I started leveling the walls. I used regular plaster, applying it with a wide putty knife, which took some patience because I wanted as smooth a surface as possible. After that, I topped it with fine finishing plaster, smoothing out the imperfections until the surface was nearly flawless. The entire process was incredibly satisfying—and quite therapeutic, honestly. Once everything dried, I painted the walls a bright, crisp white, which instantly made the room look cleaner, larger, and more modern.
While working on the walls, I didn’t forget about the radiator. I wanted to give it a fresh look that wouldn’t stand out awkwardly. After trying several brands of spray paint, I finally settled on a shiny black spray from KUDO. I was a bit skeptical at first—trying different brands, testing spray nozzles, and fussing over the finish— but in the end, I found KUDO to be the best. Its finish was smooth, even, and durable, and I felt a small sense of pride every time I looked at that radiator, transformed from an old, plain metal piece into something sleek and modern.
Throughout the process, I kept reminding myself that these little details—think uneven walls or slightly imperfect paint—weren’t the point. For me, the most important thing was that my house felt alive, full of personality. I believe that a home isn’t just about perfection; it’s about soul—about the stories we leave in its walls and how comfortable and authentic it feels. My approach was to keep things simple, to embrace the imperfections, and to focus on what mattered most: creating a space that was welcoming, functional, and full of life.
Once the walls were done and the radiator was refreshed, I turned my attention to the key element—the overall look of the kitchen. I knew I didn’t want to spend thousands on new cabinets or countertops. Instead, I ordered the entire kitchen set from a local furniture manufacturer. It was surprisingly affordable and surprisingly good quality. The result was a simple, modern kitchen that fit perfectly into my space—stylish but not overwhelming.
Looking back, those small, DIY touches gave my tiny kitchen a new lease on life. It’s not perfect—there are uneven patches and a few bumps here and there—but that’s exactly what makes it mine. I believe that a house should have a soul, and my little kitchen now has lots of character, laughs, and the kind of charm only imperfectly beautiful spaces can have. For me, that’s enough. Sometimes, a little bit of effort, a lot of patience, and trusting your own vision are all you need to create something truly special.
